Self & The Black Sheep
BY MIKE “JUST CHILL” PRINGLE
(c) 2024
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael “Just Chill” Pringle is a poet and graphic designer from York, Alabama who writes to express his creativity with pen and pad. His message is letting people know that everything is going to be ok. He says, “We all have our dark days. We all have our storms and we are going to get through them. We are not perfect. We all make mistakes, and that’s part of growth. It’s ok to be different.”
Mike identifies as a Blerd—a Black nerd, who enjoys watching anime, playing video games and sports and working out. As the Administrative Support Coordinator for the Coleman Center for the Arts in York, Alabama, he is part of a vibrant arts community that delivers superb talent in visual arts, dance, poetry, music and even gardening. Mike’s diligent work on the Colman Center team is propelling the Center as a local, regional and national magnet for Black ACE—Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
Returning to the pen and pad this year, Mike shares that he is finding his style and rhythm on stage. “It feels so relieving to take what is inside and put it on paper.”
Self
© 2024
Dedication
This poem is dedicated to my grandmother, Mae Ella Ward. She always told me to believe in myself, to put your best into whatever it is that you're doing and do not let anyone stop you from doing it. She read this poem the night before she was rushed to the emergency room and she loved it. Today my grandmother is doing well and is in good spirits.
I sit to myself, I think to my thoughts and in my thoughts I think about the tic toc that's on the clock. I don’t want to be the 1st or 2nd hand. I'm the 3rd that minds his business and keeps it moving.
My life was up and down, sometimes flatlined, heart broken so many times, I just left the pieces and acted like everything was fine. I became wise and realized I don’t need an organ, shape or an object to show love and be loved.
The thing I love is anime and I’m not talking about Tina when Ike tries to make her eat the cake. I’m talking about that knuckle-headed ninja in the orange jumpsuit that experienced hate, but never returned it. I wish I was pure of heart like Kakarot, but my pride wouldn’t let me. Just sayin’.
My Ego had me thinking I was a king, when I realized I was a prince with a widow's peak. I wish it was a crime to waste someone's time, but I can’t press charges because I gave away mine. Now I’m on special time at 8:24 Mamba Mentality.
I'm cold with this. In this marathon just hustling and building and when it’s all said and done, taking my last breath and being called to my true home. I hope it still continues.
So many rolling stones, not enough people being rock solid. People talk rich, but have no money in their accounts or their pockets. I listen to people speak of love, but their actions spread hate. Always saying they're nobody's fool. Hook, line and sinker—stay taking the bait.
Be a kin , but never be someone's pawn just to get to the crown. I don’t know where I will be or how things are going to be. All I can do is pray, meditate and have faith.
The Black Sheep
© 2024
The black sheep is misunderstood by the color of its wool. Seen as dark and evil by a close minded fool.
Other sheep are comfortable staying in line and moving with the beat, while the black sheep gets scolded for being out of line because it wants to move to its own beat.
The black sheep listens to people that say they speak the truth, but it hears the lies and asks those questions of what, when, where, how and why?
They try to make the black sheep public enemy #1, but the black sheep is the one true ally, because it will not conform to a single lie.
The black sheep doesn’t care if you make it the villain, because it never wanted or asked to be a hero.
A fool says a black sheep's heart is cold as sub zero, because it doesn’t allow disrespectful and abusive people to feel its warmth and love.
People say the black sheep came from the bottom pits of hell.
I believe the black sheep is a gift from the heavens above.