Belief Painted on the Walls

I was gifted the short e-book of poems “Belief Painted on the Walls” by author Carleta Smith.  The anthology is a great read. I encourage you to read it, and the poems are attached for your reading pleasure. 

Full disclosure: “Belief Painted on the Wall” is copyrighted by Carleta Smith, all rights are reserved, and no part of the book may be reproduced except for promotional purposes.

This blog is for promotional purposes, if you like the work, I encourage you to contact the author Carleta Smith at carletasmith@gmail.com for more.

Two poems — A VEGANS TESTIMONY and IT WAS FATE — in particular caught my attention and I think are best of the brief collection. I haven’t read poetry in quite some time; it was a good change of pace. In fact the last time I read poetry was for a class and I was required to analyze the poem. In reading this I couldn’t resist to urge to dissect the two poems that I enjoyed the most. My interpretation follows:

“A Vegans Testimony” 

I drink this water 

And you drink cola 

I eat these veggies 

And you eat meat 

Bravely you do it around me 

But you’re not hurting me 

If I told you that your cola dissolves nails 

And your meat drove some mad 

And you choose to eat it 

Who do you think will be sad 

This is the lifestyle 

Vegan 

What I choose 

I ride with the best of those 

We do this for self 

And if you choose to ride 

Kudos to your good health 

But if you don’t remember you’re only hurting you 

This is the truth…

ROGER THAT…I hear you lady…but can I eat my meat in peace please.  Beyond the direct jab at us meat eaters, it is a coherent poem and in general a call to live a healthy lifestyle.  I’ve often wondered if those that choose to inform others of their opinions about what's best for them actually care or are on a high horse. It's perfectly normal to advertise or suggest, it's rude to assert and berate, e.g. the non-smoker informing the smoker “You should quit smoking, it's not good for you.  You know it killing you right,” as if the smoker doesn’t know the health risks.  With Carleta, I believe she cares and is simply informing though her work.

“It Was Fate”

Did I tell you this story about peace

Peace yearned for love so that he could be free

Did I tell you this story about love

Love always wanted to know who peace was

Until one day walking down the street

Peace said hi

And love was happy to greet

And there they were

Splattered on the screen

Peace & love

Kisses & hugs

Man oh man

There it was

This amazing look of grace

On peace and loves face

All I can say is

It was fate.

This poem is the crown jewel to me.  I can visualize this in the abstract. Further, she inserted little nuances.  Peace yearned for love so that he could be free — he — Peace is male.

Love always wanted to know who peace was

Until one day walking down the street

Peace said hi

And love was happy to greet

And there they were

Well, what is Love. She left it gender neutral. Purposefully, maybe, and I think so. We do live in a time in which the homosexuality debate is front and center. Love could be female or male. She could have left Peace gender neutral, but then the poem wouldn’t be as intriguing. Love is whatever you want it to be. I like it. 

I also found it intriguing that she did insert gender for Peace. In listing Peace as male, I feel she is attempting to bring attention to the male ego, and male lust for power or war often because the male is absent love or in search of proving love. Think of the many fables or actual human history.

Splattered on the screen

Peace & love

Kisses & hugs

Man oh man

There it was

This amazing look of grace

On peace and loves face

All I can say is

It was fate.

When man finds love he then is truly at peace, and any man will tell you when in love even if just for a moment it feels like fate.  I also found this portion of the body and the conclusion to be a nod to the general public interest in celebrity couples. Spatter on the screen — the coverage of "famous couples" is out of control. However, I admit, some couples look great together, and almost seem from what’s released to the public as if they could be role models for relationships, or as the current meme’s go, they display "relationship goals".

Lastly, this poem in simplest terms communicates when you find love you will have or be at peace regardless of the circumstance.

Ultimately, this is my interpretation and as with most art we all see what we want to see or project our thoughts onto the art, and often draw vastly different conclusions.  

Thank you Carleta for giving me the opportunity to read your great work.  If you’ve read this far, consider reading the entire collection.  It’s a good quick read, and possibly a initial offering that is part of a larger work to come.

Belief 

Painted 

On 

The 

Walls 

Poems by: 

Carleta Smith 

Copyright 2015 by Carleta Smith, All rights reserved, 

No part of this book may be reproduced except for promotional purposes. 

                                                                                                              

“All They had to Do Was Believe” 

All it took 

Was the right hands 

The right plans 

And the right woman/man 

A round of applauds 

For the king 

Who has conquered everything 

And powerfully 

They didn’t forget about He 

And magically 

Things began to surface 

Smiling faces/praises 

Knew they weren’t worthless 

Let me get a loud hand clap 

For the god 

Because our awesome God 

Knows they’ve worked hard 

And in amazement they receive 

Cause all they had to do was believe. 

“Praise Then Pray” 

She didn’t want me to know 

How she did it 

She didn’t want me to know 

So she hid it 

This powerful bloom 

Left everyone in darkness 

In that room 

Will she ever make a confession 

To the Best 

And allow her seed to manifest 

People say she can 

Heal the world 

Though her mother screams 

Conceal my girl 

She told me if she knew 

She would help 

But she’s holding on to a string herself 

And God’s got her back the rest of the way 

She looked me in my eyes and said 

PRAISE AND PRAY… 

“The Mysterious Wedding” 

She’s getting married and 

Nobodies invited to the wedding 

Why would she hide 

God’s craftsmanship 

 His heaven 

She’s getting married 

And it happened all of a sudden 

Some say it’s real 

Some say it wasn’t 

But she’s getting married 

Granny said maybe the groom is ugly 

Or it’s all in her mind 

I wouldn’t care if he was but ugly 

For her day I would still put in the time 

She’s getting married 

She’s getting married 

She’s getting married 

This is the 

Mysterious wedding. 

“It Was Fate” 

Did I tell you this story about peace 

Peace yearned for love so that he could be free 

Did I tell you this story about love 

Love always wanted to know who peace was 

Until one day walking down the street 

Peace said hi 

And love was happy to greet 

And there they were 

Splattered on the screen 

Peace & love 

Kisses & hugs 

Man oh man 

There it was 

This amazing look of grace 

On peace and loves face 

All I can say is 

It was fate. 

“Feelings of Being Complete” 

I remember how you use to 

Hug me from behind 

Just to combine 

You and our love 

I remember how it was 

I remember how 

We held hands 

As we’d walk 

How on the phone we’d talk just because 

I remember how it was 

Remembering your smile 

How we joked and played 

And these memories all fresh 

Even though it’s been a decade 

I remember how it was 

Remember 

Remembered 

Remembering leaves feelings of being complete. 

“One Day You Will Know” 

They say when people love you 

They give you water to drink 

So I give you 7 cases to drink freely 

Think man think 

What do I have to do to prove my love for you 

You caught a cold and I fasted for days until you got better 

And you did 

For days I grinned like a big kid 

And when you said I love you for the first time 

My whole body got weak 

I’m not lying 

Just trying to confide in you 

Right now 

Just trying to combine with you 

Right now so here it goes 

One day you will know. 

“Robot” 

He said I want to love you 

Like you need to be loved 

Your kisses & hugs 

Your remote control 

Your someone to hold 

Your on and off switch 

Allow me to sit 

And watch you 

To clock you 

To rock you 

To spot you 

In a midst of haze 

Today is your day 

I asked him  

What shall I call you 

Are you a man or not 

He said I am your robot 

Your do what I want 

Whatever you like 

Day & night 

I told him no thank you smiled and said goodnight. 

“My Friend” 

What can I say to you 

To make you understand 

That we are each other’s glue 

And nothing new 

Can come and separate us 

What kind of time do you have  

For me to put a smile on your face 

Baby I just want to make you laugh 

Exist on our own Huber craft  

Spaced out for days 

Ain’t no way 

That our love will fade 

You got me in a maze 

My heart on your guitar string 

My peace on your ring finger 

As we linger in hopes I continue to cope 

And wish that this ish don’t end 

I call you my lover 

My confidant 

My husband 

My friend… 

“Remember Me As I Pray” 

I am believing Him to restore 

Everything back to me that was stole 

10 fold 

And I am believing Him to grant me with peace in abundance 

1000 fold 

I ask my creator to mold me 

To shape me into a virtuous queen 

To grant me with angels in my life both seen and unseen 

To cast down rays from the sun 

To shine on me as I walk and run 

To place a rhythm in my heart that is played  

To tunes of love 

That will never fade 

To dash concrete 

Feeling of joy within 

Reminding me God you are my first friend 

And as shadows of happiness follow me from day to day 

Remember me as I pray. 

“A Vegans Testimony” 

I drink this water 

And you drink cola 

I eat these veggies 

And you eat meat 

Bravely you do it around me 

But you’re not hurting me 

If I told you that your cola dissolves nails 

And your meat drove some mad 

And you choose to eat it 

Who do you think will be sad 

This is the lifestyle 

Vegan 

What I choose 

I ride with the best of those 

We do this for self 

And if you choose to ride 

Kudos to your good health 

But if you don’t remember you’re only hurting you 

This is the truth… 

Thank you so much sweethearts for reading this book. You are so very..very..appreciated!!! This is our gift to you. We hope that you enjoyed it! 

Sincerely,  

Carleta Smith