Breast Cancer Awareness Poem

What's Worth Kneeling For?
by Anthony Labson

I’m full of pride.
I can’t run from a fight
and I won’t shame my name.
I’ll stand ready to die.

I don’t flinch for a blade
and I don’t fear the sound of a bullet.
A knife is just a tool for use or trade
and a gun is nothing without a digit.

I’ve fought enemies
and I’ve even fought a friend.
The fighting never reached its end
and I would think at times I had an injury.

I’ve never really had a reason to fight
but I never could back down.
Now more than ever all I can wear is a frown
because my love is fading from my sight.

She is the best of me
but we didn’t catch her disease in time.
The other life in her heart is mine,
so if she goes then I’ll cease to be.

If finally bending my knees saves her
then I do it proudly with no dishonor.
My life without her would just be horror.
I never thought my greatest enemy would be cancer.

Why Does a Rose Represent Love?

"A rose is supposed to be the representation of love. If that's true then why does a rose have thorns that cut you and why does it have to die." Amber, a friend of mine once asked me that a long time ago and it took me a long time to finally answer this question. It takes a long time because love is a very powerful marvel. I believe a simply "I love you" answers a lot of complicated questions. When there is a great truth to be discovered, then you must first experience this before you can see the truth. Here is why a rose represents love, but also has thorns and must die.

A rose represents love, but has thorns because like being in love, it must be handled carefully. You need to treat it with respect and be careful not to mishandle it. You can't be careless handling the one you hold just because there may be roses with less thorns. If you do then eventually, you will be cut and when that happens, you’re scarred for life. You will have a scar that will take a lifetime to heal and never go away, that cut will always remind you of your loss. That is why the rose has its thorns.

Now why does a rose die? That's the hardest part of the question, but I remembered everyone I ever loved and it came to me. A rose must die because love must be cherished. If love was eternal and always around then the inevitable outcome is that it would be taken for granted. Love should never be taken for granted. Like with people, roses must be loved while we have them because everything that is born must die, so we must appreciate the time we have with them. A rose is the perfect representation of love and these are my reasons why I believe so.

Luke Cage Season 2 is Bulletproof!

Netflix and Marvel have come a long way since the release of Daredevil. The success of that show laid the foundation that would give fans an introduction to characters only known in the comics. Characters like Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and the power man himself, Luke Cage. Now with his second season released, Mike Colter is breaking new barriers by portraying a side of the bulletproof hero of Harlem that’s both interesting, yet terrifying. Netflix’s shows of the Marvel characters have all been dark, but things take a new twist with Luke Cage. The best addition this season comes with the arrival of the new antagonist, Bushmaster, played by Mustafa Shakir.

The season starts off some time after the events of The Defenders, and Luke Cage has become the unofficial sheriff of Harlem. Luke is hellbent on his war to bring down his rival, Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard), but soon realizes that he isn’t the only one willing to burn in Hell to get to the devil. When Bushmaster arrives, Luke is pushed into a situation where he must either help the devil he knows or the devil he doesn’t. The problem with that situation is neither choice is good for Harlem, and Luke knows he must dig deep to find another way where Harlem wins. It’s a battle that will force Luke to battle demons both externally and internally.

The only help Luke has during this war is his old friend Misty who is fighting her own battles after losing her arm. There’s an unexpected surprise character introduced to help Luke through his internal crisis by actor, Reg E. Cathey, who died in February this year. There are also cameos from other marvel shows that come in to help Luke contain the chaos, but soon Luke realizes this is a war he must end on his own. The war will end as it began, with a bloody and shocking end that will leave the audience guessing what could come in the next season. The ending is a twist that resembles the ending of one of America’s most classic movies, and it will make people wonder how this will affect Harlem.

Mustafa Shakir did a fantastic job as Bushmaster, I almost say that he’s my second favorite villain next to Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin. Introducing fans to a new kind of villain with his marital arts and practice of Voodoo, Shakir should be considered to return if possible. Viewers will immediately see how Bushmaster and Luke Cage are alike as the show progresses to the eventual showdown which is brutal at best. The action is par compared to other shows, but as stated before, the ending is what makes the show worth all the drama. The drama all centers around one person and that’s Mariah Dillard.

Mariah’s past comes back to destroy her, but she puts all of Harlem in the crossfire to protect her and the people she loves. If Bushmaster isn’t enough trouble, Misty is digging with her bare hands to find something in the dirt that will finally put Mariah behind bars. Alfre Woodard portrays a new side of Mariah that is both vicious and psychotic. Delivering an award-winning performance, most fans of the famous antagonist might be sad by the ending of her story, but I got a feeling we will still see her next season. What can we expect to see from Netflix and Marvel?

Daredevil should be making his return soon after being presumed dead after the events of The Defenders. Matt Murdock may be coming back to a few surprises since Foggy is with a new law firm, Karen has been seen with The Punisher, and Wilson Fisk may be returning from his incarceration. Wilson Bethel is set to appear as the legendary assassin, Bullseye, and that’s a showdown many have been waiting to see since the character went mainstream after being introduced by Colin Farrell in the box office bomb, Daredevil. Maybe Hell’s Kitchen has learned to move on without the blind vigilante, or it might need him more than ever. We’ll have to wait sometime later in 2018 or maybe early 2019.

My Life With MoviePass

When I worked for the movie theater business back in high school, there were two constant complaints I always heard. The first one was always, “Do you have Snowcaps?” The second is, “Why are you ripping us off with your ticket prices?” I always found that last question funny because most of the people who asked always seemed to have the money to keep coming every week. Now I’m older and movie prices are starting to affect me, so I understand the frustration of wanting to go to the movies but not having the money.

That is until MoviePass came around and my attendance skyrocketed as soon as I signed up. MoviePass is a subscription service that allows people to attend the movies for a monthly or annual fee. I bought the annual fee which was a discounted price of $115 at the time and that included a processing fee; here’s how it works. After your fees are paid, a card is sent to you and you sign up on the MoviePass app on your smart phone so you can register the card. Once you’re set up, you go to the movie theater, see if the movie you want to see is available at the time, then check in on the app.

Money will be added to the card, then you’ll swipe your card and out comes the ticket. A new rule was recently implemented that requires you to take a picture of the ticket and upload it in the app. When I first heard about this, it sounded like a scam because how can this company possibly be making money if I’m only paying a small price. There are several reasons I can name, but that’s not what I’m writing about. The fact is, this deal is legit, and it’s already saved me $218 on movie tickets.

I used my card to see movies I was dying to see like Justice League, Avengers: Infinity War, Solo, and Black Panther. I’ve also used it to see movies I wouldn’t have risked the money to see like The Greatest Showman, Bad Samaritan, Tag, and Game Night. This subscription has brought me and several others back to the movie theaters, but there has been some hiccups. The only disappointments are the subscription only works for standard formats which means no 3D, RPX and IMAX screens. The other is you can’t get tickets in advance, so you must check in that day; if you want to see a movie that comes out in two weeks, you’ll have to use your own money.

The biggest problem I had with the subscription is when I paid during a time when the service offered to let me see any movie once a day. Now it’s only limiting users to see one movie once, and that threw me for a loop. I wanted to be upset, but because of work and school, I don’t have the time to see a movie more than once anyway. I can understand for those that do have the time, but I also understand from a business aspect. If they didn’t place that limit, then I know there are people out there that would see some movies every single day if they could.

The fact is, MoviePass has been my one of my favorite investments. AMC Theaters is already following their steps by announcing they will have a similar service for $19.95 a month that will include 3D and IMAX screens. MoviePass is expected to offer a similar deal in the fall and a “Bring a friend” option to combat AMC’s ambition. Maybe AMC’s offer will be better and MoviePass is having financial problems due to rapid subscriber growth, but we’ll have to wait and find out. For now, MoviePass is the way to go if you’re a movie lover and it’s well worth the price monthly or annual.

For Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade

Depression
By
Anthony Labson

Depression is like being at the beach
And you’re standing in front of the waves.

It will hit you repeatedly
and you can try to resist
but once the waves get too high
you’ll fall under the pressure.

Once that happens
you’re under.

Your eyes begin to burn
because they can’t stand
to look at what they don’t
want to see and even if you try,
everything is out of focus anyway.

People can try to help
but they don’t understand that
it’s not just problems with sight.
Their words can’t penetrate the water
that fills your ears.

This leaves you deaf to their cries
and the loneliness sinks in.

You believe there’s no hope
that there is nothing to live for
so what’s the point of having air
in your lungs?

It’s better just to invite the water
and let it pull you down further
by then it’s too late.
Hands try to reach you
but your too heavy to pull up.

The numb sensations start
and you move by involuntary reflex.
Your end comes and the wave
takes you out into the ocean.

People think it’s a sign of selfishness
and they don’t deserve the attention.

You are in the right state of mind.
so how can you possibly understand
what you may have never experienced.
In the mind of someone depressed
you are the selfish one.

You say you want them around
because seeing you makes them happy.
But their life is miserable
so to them you’re saying,
“You want them to stay alive
so they can remain miserable?”

It’s a powerful and destructive
Disease.
If you disagree with me then fine
but I speak from experience.

I’ve been depressed,
I’ve been angry at the world,
and I still fight with it
even to this day.

Yes, others have it worse.
Some people drink
while others smoke
and some do even worse.

Depression is a powerful wave
that has taken many lives.
To those still fighting,
you’re in my prayers.

Avengers: Infinity War is Hell

Only Disney could make chaos look so good, and that’s the case for their newest release from Marvel Studios, Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel Studios has been a juggernaut when it comes to making films of their beloved characters and there’s no denying they rule the cinemas with an iron fist. Now with this film, Marvel has been running the campaign of “10 years in the making.” It’s a fitting campaign because it’s clear after tonight that chapters are going to close for some of those characters. Don’t worry, there are no spoilers here, but let’s fill the gaps for people who don’t know what I’m talking about.

Marvel Studios came out with a detail plan to produce films for certain characters to revive the company. Marvel has had a history of financial problems, so all their chips went into Iron Man and that’s when things changed. The film became a hit, and that gave the studio the green light to continue with their plan to bring heroes like Thor and Captain America to life. A plan that would be broken down into four phases and would only improve with the sale of Marvel to Disney. Before Black Panther, one of their successes was The Avengers, which brought some of their most famous heroes.

That film started this story that spanned over several movies hidden in post credit scenes and would finally come to fruition in this long-awaited feature. If you haven’t been watching any or some of the Marvel films, then I suggest that you don’t bother because unlike some Marvel films, there’s no real back story provided. This film takes off immediately after the events of Thor: Ragnarok and it’s nothing short of heartbreaking. Josh Brolin did an amazing job with his performance as the Thanos, who believes that it’s his destiny to wield the most powerful weapon in the universe. Brolin brings a combination of determination and brutality comic book lovers are accustomed to seeing from the mad titan.

When word gets out that Thanos is heading to Earth, forces start to mobilize in efforts to keep him from acquiring what he needs to complete his weapon. Unfortunately, the Marvel superheroes realize that this may be one battle that they can’t win with brute force. No matter the obstacle, Thanos proves throughout the film that there’s nothing he’s willing to sacrifice to accomplish his ambitions. Marvel Studios did a great job with plots and telling significant stories that come together in the climax. What steals the show for me is the curtain call on several characters because Thanos was brutal with some of their exits.

Marvel announced that some characters wouldn’t be coming back after this film and they weren’t joking. I won’t say how many or who, but these are characters that will be missed. All I can say is that most of them went down in a good fight because this film takes you to so many worlds that are beautifully done. Another strength in this film is choreographed battles that occur in different locations. These battles are filled with so much action that it makes the two-and-a-half-hour film seem shorter, but there are some problems that come along with it.

With so many characters that have a significant fan base, some fans may be disappointed because certain characters have very little time in the film. Another problem with any action film is the use of too much action and not enough story telling. In this film, if you didn’t watch all the Marvel films after The Avengers, then you’re going to get lost. I was a bit worried that there was going to be too much comedy in this like in some Marvel movies, but that’s not the case here. At first, I also felt that this film was being rushed, but you can tell that it’s only because this film is just part one of two.

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, announced that the fourth Avengers film will be the finale for several characters and the studio will be centering around others such as Spider-Man. All that can be said is that it’s expected to be released in 2019 and that simply isn’t soon enough because of the cliffhanger this film ended on. This film gets an 8 out of 10 because of those who aren’t in depth with Marvel as some people. You will be left behind by the lack of back story, and some fans may not be happy with the time certain characters have on film. War is hell and Avengers: Infinity War is painful heartache; so hopefully the next Avenger’s film will provide relief, but enjoy this until we get to 2019.

Rise

 Now is the time to care

and see instead of stare.

Get up! Out of your chair

and release the burden you bear.

We need to fight the power

of those who sit high in the tower

and use our tears to take a shower.

What is life when you must cower?

Now is the time to rise

against the tyrants we despise.

No more leases, break the ties.

To see them run and hear their cries

as their legacy begin to burn and dies.

Let truth be like rain as it falls from the skies

to wash away the lies in front our eyes.

Freedom is for the people, not private lives.

It can’t be contained, no matter how hard the tries.

No more Conformity, time to rise.