"Struggles"

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The letter read,

"Thank you for showing interest
in our recent position listed,
But unfortunately,
we had already filled the position
With someone more qualified than yourself..."

See, these words rested heavy in my eyes
As I read between the lines
baring lies
a prospective employer fed me
Down on my luck again,
I wrestled with how
this job-hunting scheme ain’t easy
And I’m doing everything I can
to effectively market myself
But no one wants to answer the call of the needy
And it doesn’t matter
how much you plea to thee
just to be given a chance
Again, your poor credit history
has caused another to overlook you for someone else
Rather than forgiving you for your past mistakes
Slowly, you become discouraged,
but the people closest to you
Won’t allow you to bury your faith,
so you try to hold on
While carrying the weight
of your inescapable past
But you wondered to yourself,

"How do they expect a person to survive in a society
that repeatedly hangs its own people out to dry?"

But, I guess if Jesus could be crucified
For his persuasive teachings
Then we too could be compromised
for any apparent reason
Now I’m grieving
because I have more than one mouth to feed
praying and hoping someone would call
ain’t moving quick enough to put me at ease
Things I said I would never do
are becoming more attractive to me
And I’m trying to remain strong
while countering the attacks of the beast
But these hustlers on the streets are offering me
more loot than I have in my pocket
And I know I said I wouldn’t do this,
but what is this government doing for me
While I sit here jobless? - nothing!

But, no matter how much they try,
No matter how much pressure they apply,
They will never be able to break me
Because the spirit of our ancestors
will never allow another to forsake me
Nor place me
in a situation that I would be too weak to rise
See - no matter how much they try,
The strength of an African warrior would always materialize inside
Catapulting revolts
Allowing me the ability
to pour grains of salt
To bitter the sweetened taste
they once had in their mouths

See, I am living proof that the confederate south
couldn’t keep colored people out
And my ancestors before me have fought for this day,
And it’s only right that I continue to pave the way
For our future sons and daughters
For those destined to live the good life
And especially for those who will learn
to stretch a meal with four quarters
No, I’m not talking about the dollar menu
you see at Wendy’s or Mickey Ds

I’m talking about buying a pack of hot dogs
or a can of pork and beans
To last the whole week

I’m talking about making a sugar bread sandwich
‘cause you ain’t got nothing else to eat
See, I am poverty in every shape, form, and fashion
And though you may look at me differently,
don’t get it twisted, I represent the masses

1st pour tout ayisan qui ap suffee
A ton nou, Liberti ap venie"

2nd mother Africa,
look what they’ve done to thee
They stripped you of your purities
They brought disease
They provoked division between us
Yet they can’t believe why people who look like me
Are still yelling they want to go home

3rd to all the inmates on death row or the cellblocks
Whether you were framed or detained
for selling rocks I’m yelling,
“Live my brothers,
for they can’t judge what’s in your heart”

We all have struggles,
and we deal with them at different times
But, the point I am trying to get across to you is
Whatever hell you’re going through,
Never
Let
Your
problems
break - you - down!

"Struggles" © Source of Pas'sion - November 06, 2004.
All rights reserved.

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Wisler "Source of Pas'sion" Marcelus is an artistic individual who has immersed himself in South Florida’s performing arts arena since childhood.

From 1988 to present, he had the pleasure of the gracing the stage in many different fashions. He has performed with several local hip-hop ciphers such as the Special MC’s, Tribal League, and Kontrast just to mention a few.

In 1996, He joined Kalbas Communication, Inc., which was a Haitian owned communication’s company based in Miami, Florida. During that time, he bore the responsibility of being an on-air radio personality formerly known as DJ Marsayli on their radio show called Kalbas Des Onze; which aired five days a week, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, on WLQY 1320 AM.

He was also responsible for creating hip-hop segments geared to attracting youthful listeners and reporting the latest in entertainment news. His most memorable moment was when he was given the opportunity to interview performer, song writer, and international producer Wyclef Jean (formerly of the fugees).

In 1998, Wisler began submitting his poetry in local newspapers, books, and poetry websites such as the Famuan, Eternal Portraits, Poetry.com, Verbalart.com, and EliteraryCafe.com. Intrigued by how his poetry had affected his family and friends, he began performing as a spoken word artist in countless venues throughout South Florida and has been showcased in the media (The Hitz Factory TV Show and Telemundo Broadcasting Station) and various community festivals (Mango Festival and Kuumba Festival).

Today, Wisler is President and CEO of Pen-Line Promotion Group - an artist management and promotions firm. He is the author of Reoccurring Cycle, which is available for purchase on www.lulu.com/source.

He is an active member of the Fort Lauderdale’s Rhyme and Reasons Poetry Troupe - the third official chapter of the nationally recognized Black on Black Rhyme Poetry Organization, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.

Currently, Wisler is co-writing a forthcoming book titled, Exposed Identity, expected to be released in the near future.


*Select Personal Appearances:

EDUCATIONAL CIRCUIT

Piper High School - Sunrise, FL
Florida International University - North Miami Beach, FL
Broward Community College - N Campus, Coconut Creek, FL
Nova Southeastern University - Davie, FL
Florida State University - Tallahassee, FL
Broward Community College - S Campus, Pembroke Pines, FL

VENUES/ NIGHT CLUBS

“Why U Rhyme?” Poetry Showcase @ Artserve Auditorium
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Funk Jazz Lounge @ Club Jade
Miami Beach, FL

Spoken Word @ Improv Comedy Club
Coconut Grove, FL

Love Jones Revived @ MVP Bar and Grill
Miami, FL

BackTalk! Poetry Showcase @ Mt. Zion
Tallahassee, FL

Conscious Party @ Club Classic
Tampa, FL

Release Yourself Fridays @ Book Addiction
Coconut Grove, FL

Expression Session @ Inverrary Hotel
Lauderhill, FL

Grown and Sexy Poetry @ Porter’s Place
Sunrise, FL

Poetry Showcase @ Troy’s Night Club
Sunrise, FL

Literary Café
Miami, FL

Flow Wednesdays @ Ginger Bay Café
Hollywood, FL

Profetic Mixture @ Audy’s Place
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Spoken Word Café @ 7th Avenue Recovery
Fort Lauderdale, FL

MEDIA EXPOSURE

The Hitz Factory TV Show
Miami, FL

Telemundo Broadcasting Station
Miami, FL

South Florida Poetry Fiesta
Coral Springs, FL

EliteraryCafe.com

BlackonBlackRhyme.com

Poetry.com

The Famuan Newsletter

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"Source of Pas'sion, Rhyme & Reasons Poet". All rights reserved. © 2004