Welcome
to, The Weight of Memory
Welcome to a space where poetry, memoir, and the spirit converge to honor the architecture of our past. Inspired by a life lived with honesty and careful attention, this collection explores the profound transitions from loss toward understanding.
My writing is rooted in the belief that the sacred is found not in rigid doctrines, but in human connection, shared memory, and the simple, resilient joy of being alive.
Whether you are navigating the heavy silence of grief, questioning inherited beliefs, or seeking the "links" that bind us together, you have found a home here.
Selected Poems from: The Weight of Memory
Memories
“Sometimes the past is the only place that still feels full.”
What kind of mind lives in memories,
painful and sweet?
To live in the past
with people who have passed,
lonely and alone,
walking in a veil,
only smiling when memories arrive
to lift the veil away, for a time.
It is not good,
but until life brings new, better memories,
these are the happiest I’ve got.
You
“Romance and love is not only for the young”
Let me look at you
see those bright brown eyes, that big smile,
hear your laughter fill every corner of my being,
and know how blessed I am
to have you in my life.
Just let me look at you,
shake and shimmy to old-school music,
moving that thick body with no effort
makes me want to grab hold and take a ride.
I just want to look at you:
brown eyes to brown eyes,
brown skin to brown skin,
hot breath to hot breath,
and just enjoy every moment.
In A Little Corner of My Mind
“We don’t always outgrow the child we once were.”Deep in a hidden place of my mind
A little child resides
Alone and fatherless
Lost in a world that’s dark and cries
Little boy afraid to live
Afraid to die
Dwells in a little corner of my mind
“Cry baby, cry
Mama’s goin’ wipe those tears away
As always
You fatherless child
Come rock in Mama’s arms
Grow to be a man
I’ll take care of you
As always
You fatherless boy”
In the world
A child in a man’s mind
Don’t know how to live
Just waitin’ to die
“Cry baby, cry
You fatherless child”
Deep in a little corner of my mind
Unplugged
“I stopped trying to fit into definitions that were never made for me.
When people look at me, I wonder what they see?
Black man, Gay man, Muslim?
Handsome man, Fat man, Lovable?
All the above, or none of the above?
To be honest, at my age, I don’t much care.
Just curious.
I know for a fact that people
don’t like what they can’t classify.
Being a Black-Gay-Muslim,
I know I fall outside the matrix,
not quite plugged in.
I think I like it that way,
though I don’t have much of a choice.
I think me and God have something in common:
“I am that I am.” That works for me!
What People Have Said:
“The music of Hood’s lines began to play in my veins. I could hear the rise and fall of his voice as clearly as though he were standing in front of me. Zing, zing! Zap! He had me. I was enchanted by his musical words. They convey his vitality and joy. After reading, I’m convinced he has the heart of a true poet, marked by a spirit of tolerance—of love for life and the mystery of creation. Real. That’s what his poems are. The rhythms and heartaches and praises and humor unique to African Americans.”
Barbara L.
“Excellent all-inclusive work Mr. Hood. Words for every walk of life,
for every mentality, as only a true poet can do.” much respect
magi1215
“Great Work....your words are heard as drums.... giving off strength
and calls to strengthen.... thanks for sharing!”
2b2b2
“Empowerment of Love ‘And I wait, wait patiently for you, for you to turn around, to see you. And I saw your face again, touched by time’ Simply Beautiful my Brother Love & Blessings!” “Interesting take on perceptions here brethren... another masterpiece I might add.”
(Poem, I visited You)
Jellybean22
As you wrote this, so did I close my eyes and joined you in writing poems using the clouds as my blank sheet for the ages! Great write my brother! (Poem, Written on High)
Peace & Blessings
HIPJAZZPOET
“I must say I am happy to have found this piece.
First, I must say that the opening line/title is like wicked wild and whoa! Loving it. “Blind and near the edge of a pit.” Very vivid. “Dancing violently near the edge of the pit.”
This entire piece is fire. I slipped into oblivion just by reading this piece. May I join you?”
(Poem, Ignorance is bliss)
Felicia3
“I co-sign to what everyone here had to say. The beauty of this piece is ... you have delivered a whole topic about how we live our lives with only a few words that hit like a hammer.”
D’am