you talk too much

what's the biggest cancer existing in our world today?  imma tell ya...it's called foot in mouth disease and it ruins relationships, job, and general communication levels the world over.  i'm a nervous wreck around the general public. and i've offended most when all i'm aimin' for is love, dog.    

i was working at a transitional homeless shelter years back.  i had to grab a family for an ap photo shoot about homeless families in the district.  ms. richards was in her late 40's with four wonderful daughters living wit' her in the building.  they were consecutive in age, 13-16, brand new and i was tryin' to 'member everyone's faces and names.  i was running through the building lookin' for the girls.  found one.  found two. couldn't locate the otha two, or maybe i did? i couldn't tell 'cause there were new kids all around mingling with one anotha.  i ran back to ms. richards and asked her if she'd seen 'em.  

"nah."

"dang, y'all look alike to me."

now, what meant to come out of my mouth was "your daughter's look exactly like their mother and since they're so close in age, they resemble quadruplets."

it wasn't takin'.  arms were crossed and she shot me that angled look joining her expression of "don't lie to me, boy."

it got worse.

"i mean, your young daughters are so beautiful, but pure.  i mean they've got personalities, not like they're pure.  they're virginal, i'm sure, but they've got attitude.  you know, nice with attitude.  a personality."

i now have to wear a sign, saying "i'm sorry black america."

but when you dig your grave, there's always someone who's dug one deeper.  this sign will always cure those wounds.  

uyuni, bolivia, 2006

mr. mark you thinks is beautiful too in a way that is not too demanding on your sexual preferences or qualifications of gender specifications.