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PDFMad At God: A Poetic Attempt At Healing
Today would have been my brothers’ B day…and I laugh to keep from cryin’ -Ed G.
Mad @God
(For Everett Garnes RIP lil bro)
By Edward M. Garnes, Jr.
a sick comedian
rendering death
like off color jokes
a faulty faith practitioner
manipulating hope
with weighty promises
of eternal life
a suspect believer
hurls questions like
unchecked slavery
my brother’s untimely passing
Bush’s reign of terror
and wonders
if evil is eternal
or if the all knowing
is conveniently
pleading the 5th
The joint above is an excerpt from Garnes’ introspective poetry collection Like Sweet Tea On A Hot Summer Day to published on Homegrown (2009).
Award winning writer, educator, counselor, and activist Edward M. Garnes, Jr. is the founder of From Afros to Shelltoes, a nationally acclaimed series of cultural productions confronting the social divide between elders and hip hop heads, and holds a B.A. in English Writing from DePauw University and a M.A. in Counseling from Michigan State University . His seminal essay, ” Sweet Tea Ethics: Black Luv, Healthcare, and Cultural Mistrust,” currently appears in Not In My Family: AIDS in the African American Community, a 2007 NAACP Image Award nominated collection edited by Gil Robertson. (www.afrostoshelltoes.com).
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My prayers are with you Ed.
I wish you and your family strength and peace this day. One day at a time…
I’m sorry & I hope in time that your heart heals. I’m empathetic to your wondering why God allows things to happen.
Ed, I wish you and your family love and healing and understanding and continued comfort. And I’m glad you’re writing again and sharing your talent with the world.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Ed.
I feel you completely cousin, and I know that it is hard to understand (and I know you don’t want to hear it) but I know that for some reason this was a part of God’s plan. While He loaned Everette to us for just a short time, and I am thankful for that, I know God had a good reason for taking Everette from us so soon. I know that Everette is up there with JC, entertaining all the folks up in heaven! Love you always babe!
I love you.
The comfort God provides in the face of death is the promised resurrection. We have proof of this hope by his word and the resurrection of his son, Christ Jesus.
I feel your pain and know the ache of loss. Do something kind and unexpected for someone else in tribute to your brother’s life. And know that I love you.
Some questions, have no answers, none we would understand. Know that your friends here for you, to talk, to laugh, to cry with you. Love you man.
It is going to get better keep the faith. The Master is the only one
that can help you. Be strong and keep the faith Never, Never question God.
Everett was with us and filled our hearts will Joy. He did his part and he Never complained. You must learn from your brother be happy and let GOD. Do what you can do to make this a better world. YOUR BROTHER DID JUST THAT. No more pity parties, Be Happy. Live, Live Live
Nana Barbara, I love you.
hang in there guy…
I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. I know this is a difficult time.
Love You Much
Always here for you lil’ brother, continued prayers of support.
loving you ed
I love you Ed! Although your brother is gone physically, remember that you have the power & ability to continue his legacy, by honoring the great memories of him. God cannot lie, but the devil can! Keep his memory alive, spend time with those that love him most, and don’t let the devil steal your joy.