My new poem “Astro Jack” live on edge of humanity

Photograph by Bettmann, Getty via National Geographic (Public Domain) – Poem by Joni Caggiano


From the perspective of a young concert goer using hip-hop urban dialect.

 

losing myself between those repeated raw beats

ignoring and escaping the tizzle of the streets

reality spooning hardships like venomous glue

scrabbling out of my skin like thousands will do

 

braided red locks bouncing off tight curvy hips

singing freestyle, making up my own fly spits

small tired fingers got me new kicks and a ticket

crowd growing like an off the hook wild thicket

 

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59 Comments Add yours

  1. kenhume79 says:

    Wow! That’s excellent Joni! Both the use of rap language and the poignant message behind it! 👏❤️😁👌

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Ken I really appreciate it. Thank you for reading and your kind comment. I am visiting people today as they visit me because after a while people just don’t show up in your reader. I think you have a reading coming up before too long also. I am going to go into kenhume39.Wordpress.com and hope it works. See what you have been up to in a minute. If this address is wrong would you mind sending me the right one. You could go into your site settings and change your address to your main site address so new people can find you my friend. I hope I find you soon. Hugs to the family. ❤️🤗

      1. kenhume79 says:

        The address is kenhume31.wordpress.com and thanks very much for checking out my work. I’ll be sure to do that actually, thanks for the advice! 😁🙏

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Thank you Ken I actually saved it last time and found it pretty easily. I could be quirky but often if I read someone the first time I just click on their address and follow that way. It is just easier. Blessings to you my friend. ❤️🤗

      3. kenhume79 says:

        Was meant to have a reading this month but it was postponed till end of March due to a prior commitment for the MC. You’re very welcome Joni, I always enjoy reading your poetry! 😁❤️

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        Oh that is too bad I know you were looking forward to that. It looks like a lot of fun too. I feel like I am pretty much living inside these days but it is getting nicer and we are going to start going out more. We have all of our shots, boosters and are tired of being so safe. We are starting to venture out and eating outdoors. It gets a bit old being in doors. However we are very grateful we have food and shelter, etc. don’t get me wrong. Sending you a great big hug. 🤗

      5. kenhume79 says:

        Especially with what’s going on in the Ukraine at the moment I must admit I’m even more grateful for food and shelter than ever before. Yeh, same here. Slowly starting to venture out as well. Thank goodness for the vaccines. 🙏

      6. jonicaggiano says:

        Agreed my friend. We don’t know what will happen next but I am grateful the Ukrainian people are getting help from Valencia to evacuate children. Stay safe my friend. Blessings to you. ❤️

  2. Marvellous Joni!

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Oh thank you Francis. How kind. You don’t know when your pieces are going to be published. Scott saw an email in the late morning that I had a publication. So I hurried to get something out. Thank you for reading. Bless your city Valencia for what all of you are doing to provide a home for the children of Ukrainian children. Yea prayers definitely work. Blessings to you both and our love. ❤️🤗

      1. You’re very welcome Joni, I loved the piece, and thank you. We all hope and pray for peace and for the end of this atrocity. Love, peace and blessings to you and Scott.

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        The Ukrainian people are truly amazing and so brave. We are continuing to pray for this to end. Big hugs and love to you both. 🙏❤️

      3. Yes, I agree, we’ve good friends from Kiv, you are so right and we too, we will continue to pray. Love and hugs to you both too.

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        Thank you Francis. It must be very stressful for people who are from there or have family there. People who see outside their circle of safety in the US are doing things to try and help as well. You two have a blessed week. ❤️

      5. You’re very welcome Joni, blessings to you and Scott ♥️🌹🙏🏻🤗😊

      6. jonicaggiano says:

        ❤️

  3. Wow that was a change up style for you Joni and you made it yours instantly!! I loved how you can just walk and talk the talk, in any style you choose. Big hugs and much love…❤️🤗🌹

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      You are too kind Karima. I had to do my homework in order to pay homage and respect to the language. I am always encouraged by your gracious words Karima because I am still in total awe of what you can do and the beautiful worlds you create. To me it is like watching avatar. It is only the second movie I ever watched twice in a movie theater. You should probably be making animated movies for Walt Disney. Love you and your sweet heart my friend. ❤️🤗🦋🙏

  4. Brilliant, Joni! Truly captures those tiny moments where the heart skips into the beat of all the heat from the bodies inside the music! ❤️ 🎶 So glad you’re on Edge of Humanity – love their whole setup! 😊 Tweeted!

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you so much Felipe what a kind compliment. I too really appreciate EDGE OF HUMANITY. They have so amazingly talented people. They have an open for submission right now. So anyone who is interested can apply. Thanks for the tweet. Big hugs 🤗

      1. That’s great to know, Joni! Do you have the link to their submissions page? If so please post here in a reply! Thank you! 🙏💕😊

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Sorry I don’t have the link with me but just go into Edge of Humanity and read first page. You should find it there❤️🤗🦋🎈. Good luck my friend.

      3. Did see they have this, which is “very” neat! – FREE Press Release For Artists, Photographers, Poets & Writers On Edge of Humanity Magazine – https://edgeofhumanity.com/2020/05/23/free-press-release-for-artists-photographers-poets-writers-on-edge-of-humanity-magazine/ ; not sure what it entails but gotta be worth looking into! Thanks so much, Joni! 💕 😊

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        I certainly think so, it can’t hurt. I think you should go for it. I wish you all the best with this too. They don’t always have these calls out there. Sending my love to you and your family. Big hugs, xoxoxoxo

      5. Thank you, Joni ❤️🙏

      6. jonicaggiano says:

        Let me know how it goes. Blessings to you and your family. ❤️

  5. Nancy Richy says:

    Wow! Very cool! 😎

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Nancy for reading and your comment. Have an amazing day. Hugs 🤗 Joni

  6. A straightforward message, Joni. Well-done.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you very much Tim I appreciate your reading and your kind comment. Hope your week is off to a great start. ❤️🤗🦋

      1. I’m not trying to be kind, Joni. I just think your poetry is good. Have a good week. 🙂

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Found this in the pending folder Tim and such a kind thing to say. I am very grateful for you words and to know you enjoy my poetry makes me smile. You have been a big advocate for me on line and I appreciate it so very much. Have an amazing weekend. Hugs and love Joni

  7. Ingrid says:

    So vibrant and then the ending comes as a shock and a wake-up call. Great work Joni ❤️

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Ingrid. I really appreciate your kind words. ❤️🤗

  8. Damn. I was not expecting it to go there or to be about that! I am stunned. Wonderfully written, beautiful Joni. And what an interesting comparison at the end of Your explanation. Sighing but sending big hugs and kisses to You! Thank You!!! ❤️❤️❤️

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Sorry this ended up in the pending folder dear Katy. What a very kind comment on this post. Yes I think it is time for people to think about an alternative way to try and keep the crowds down at concerts to save lives. No one means for things to get out of control but when that many people are all together anything can happen. Sending you large hugs and kisses right back dearest Katy, Love you Joni xoxoxoxo

      1. Oh gosh, beautiful Joni!!! NO WORRIES!!! 😊 ❤️❤️❤️!

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        My apologies, Katie, this comment went to my spam folder, so sorry for the late response. Big hugs sweetie! love you Katy😘

      3. No worries at all!!! Ever! You’re the sweetest!!! Love You too! Big hugs back! 🤗💕😊

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        🐉🐉🐉🧚🏻🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️🐉🐉❤️❤️

  9. You did this so well, I am impressed with your rapper lingo! 😉 As an avid festival and concert-goer, (pre-pandemic) I have seen some crazy things, and it is so easy for massive crowds to get out of control. It’s an awful reality and I wish they would mandate smaller audiences and have more control. There is a safer way to do almost everything! Love and hugs to you Joni! 🥰🤗💕

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      I know it is very sad. I don’t think anyone ever means for anyone to get hurt. Crowd control is a problem. I had to do a lot of research to get the words right out of respect to rappers. Thank you fo

    2. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you for your kind comment Tiffany. Sending my love to you and blessings always. Joni

  10. HensBlooms says:

    Great poetry Joni, you are so talented! Love it 🌸💕

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      You are very kind Henrietta. Thank you for your very sweet words. Big hugs and love to you and your family. ❤️🤗❤️

      1. HensBlooms says:

        Thank you so much Joni, much love being returned your way ❤️🌸💕

  11. Free Fonts says:

    Besides beautiful, you are also good at poetry. I admire you

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you that is very kind. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day. 🤗❤️

  12. Love the way you use words. Great poem!

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Cheryl. I had to study hip hop language in order to try and do the poem in a respectful manner. I am really glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much. ❤️

  13. Susi Bocks says:

    You got some magic bounce going on, Joni! 😉

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Hi Susi it is so good to see your lovely smiling face. I am glad you liked this piece. I had to study the hip hop language to do the piece justice. I made sure I used all the correct language for this piece. I am delighted you liked it Susi and thanks for letting me know, sending my love and a bundle of hugs too, Joni

      1. Susi Bocks says:

        Hi Joni! It shows you researched it. Great piece. 🙂 Lotsa love right back at you! <3

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        ❤️🤗🦋🙏

  14. So far this is sounding catchy and fun with your beautiful poetry Joni!

    “braided red locks bouncing off tight curvy hips

    singing freestyle, making up my own fly spits”

    I’ll see where it goes! 💖💖💖💖 heading there now.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Cindy. So sweet of you. You should send them a piece of your lovely poetry. It can be one on your current blog too. They have another call for submissions. Love ❤️ Joni

      1. You’re so welcome and thank you for the invitation! it’s awesome and a great site! 🌻 💖

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        When you get a chance Cindy take a look at their street art, it is absolutely amazing. They create these three D paintings, I am sure that they would love to hear from you. Happy Sunday!

      3. Oh that’s awesome will do 🙏

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