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Beauty Within The Cracks 

September 2020

Beauty Within The Cracks is a poetry project which has pieces on there where you’ll be learning about me, I’ll be talking about topics that I feel need to be spoken about more and I have some fun and cool pieces on there too📝✨🌟


I have three amazing and talented people on the project too: Becca, Cerri & Hayden and they all killed it 💛✨🔥


Hopefully my project can be bring some light in the world after everything that has happened this year.

I hope you’re ready to journey through Beauty Within The Cracks!

Beauty Within The Cracks (2020): Beauty Within The Cracks

1. Inked Pages 

September 2020

Words soar into my mind 

As I float 

Into a creative wave


I’m moving in 

Motivation 

And drowning in 

Inspiration


Words begin to spill out onto 

A fresh blank page


Released from my 

Creative palace  

Full of so much 

Excitement and joy


It’s drenched in feelings, passion & beauty 

I feel deep within the moment.

2. Silhouette 

March 2020

My silhouette is an art form

glistening as the beautiful 

sunlight orbits it


The sun is glad to see my face

my unseen grace

my surrounding space


now my

silhouette is covered in sun beams


with this exposure 

my emotions are naked 

please respect 

and encourage what you see

instead of trying to break me.


With my silhouette
there is mystery, there is beauty, 

there is creativity, 


there is someone 

who is not perfect.


My silhouette is

standing stronger than ever before


as it’s standing tall

against a creative backdrop


I now embrace both the dark 

and the light that comes my way


the light covers my silhouette 

like a cloak 

as I dance around 

while the sky is sparkling.


Oh sun, 

you’re so special 

and powerful,

I love the way 

your colour lights up the air,

your precious 

warmth is always, 

a sweet delight.

3. Your Art Form 

September 2020

I love your art form,

it’s so magical, precious & unique. 

I love how you glow

like stars 

in a beautiful night sky 


I love how your 

art form tells your story


reflecting the amazing 

good times

to even highlighting 

the low dark times 


I begin painting with different colours 

to explore different emotions and moods 


all these beautiful 

metaphors come to mind 

when I look at you


your body is the canvas, and I am the painter


painting away with my creative words. 


You’re like the gorgeous sky,

I can look up at you for hours

I can never get bored 

with what’s in my view


but I know 

that the real beauty 

lies within you.

4. Still Workin’ On It (ft. Becca)

September 2020

MANNY:


I’m standing still

In the same spot 

Has it been

Days, weeks or months?


I don’t even know 

What day it is anymore


Looking into the mirror

I can't see myself

I can only see a blank and empty figure


It’s like 

I’m living in a distorted version of life 


Darkness begins to pollute  

My mind like 

Ink to water,


Can I avoid it?


Sometimes 

I don’t like what I see


Carrying everything 

I’ve been through, 

Feels like I’m walking 

Through the 

Harsh muddy trenches


So much fear by my side,

So much pain inside


Being trod on by

Reminders, 

Heavy waves,

Memories, nightmares and 

Gloomy faces. 


Becca:


But in the future 

When I'm standing at 

The kitchen window,

Mug in hand

And space in my mind

To think,


To reminisce about 

When it used to hurt,

When I used to hide,

When time used to merge together

And cloud my vision, 

 

I'll know I made it 


The trenches will be a distant memory,

My thoughts

Will be as clear as the rain


But for now,

While I drag the weight

Of my pain behind me

I'll sit at my desk,

Mug in hand,

Mind cluttered with dreams

And know

That I'm well on my way

To building the home

I've been dreaming of.


~ MANNY & Becca 

5. No Judgement 

September 2020

We need to help people 

When they have fallen, fallen 

Down that dark well 

And they don’t believe 

That the light

At the end of the tunnel exist. 


People need words of love and support 

It can do so much for a person

Words of encouragement,
To people who 

Feel like they’re a failure 

After losing everything

We should be telling people it’s okay

And stop judging people


We need to help people 

Who are sick 

At the moment


Who feel so lonely,

So cold and in so much pain

And their minds are on a loop 

And their tormenting 

Thoughts are an awful nightmare 


People need words of love and support


It can do a lot for 

A person


Will we not help people

Who are 

Caught up in the dark

Downward
Spiral of life


Where escape from 

The world is so much 

More appealing than reality


We need to listen 


And


Try to help out

People 
Whose every moment 

Is a battle to survive


We need to support


Children in the classroom who are

Trying to be themselves 

But is getting items thrown at them, 

Being left out, 

Being called weird, 

Because they’re different and are 

Being bullied constantly 


They’re just 

Trying to fit in.

We need 

To accept people
To comfort people
To...

Love everyone 

Despite their stories, 

Journeys and 

Who they’re as a person 


To hold out our hands,

For comfort and reassurance


To open our ears, 

To hear what’s happening 

To open our eyes,

To see what’s happening

To open our mouths,

To engage. 


Whatever your story is....


No 

Judgement here.

6. PICTURE PERFECT 

July 2020

Here I am

frozen for a moment. 


Time for me to think

try to not overthink 

reflect and observe. 


My eyes are two 

glowing stars 

examining my surroundings. 


The space is filled with 

so much silence


it’s so powerful and refreshing.  


A flashing light shines before me

I cover my face, 

and a 

nervous smile 

begins to appear. 

I begin to tug tightly 

on my sleeves.


What am I supposed to do?


I find that 

the world always wants you

to be 

ready, confident, slaying


the ‘perfect picture’


but 

sometimes I don’t feel

those things at all. 


My 

shoes laces are always tied

but there are days when I fall. 


Spots slowly growing 

and taking its place 

with pride on my face


my mouth doesn’t move

but 

if you looked into 

my mind 

it would speak a billion words. 

7. Beauty Within The Cracks (ft. Hayden)

September 2020 

Hayden:


Cracks to let the light in

to begin we preserve how others expect to see us

analysing each move as if our life was a scrutinised game of chess

Soon however we discover ourselves are the model we need to mould.


We gradually begin to break up the 2d facade forced upon us by society

Each crack in our long held pretence

Let's a ray of light highlight a long forgotten unique characteristic. 

The cracks also let in a reviving fresh breeze of new perspectives. 


Now we can stand tall

We have shredded all that prevent us being us 

We are unique 

we are beautiful in our uniqueness

Never forget that 

Beauty is subjective 

yes the often used saying maybe true. 

It’s because beauty is the subconscious connection of our unique characteristics.  


The cracks that let the light in 

allow us to see the true 

and unique beauty of ourselves. 

Then after our own realisation flowers grow through the cracks showing others our own true colours.


MANNY:


Cracks to let the light out 

Find that spark in your soul and let the light Glow out of you. 

Let your light inside flow out like an Erupting volcano igniting up the world. 


Now your beautiful palace is lit up, we Gradually begin to let what society says is Perfect dissolve away.


Kiss those beautiful scars 

Because you’re unique

Your glowing skin is your logo on show 

And you are way stronger than you know



Let your light drown out the darkness Around you. 

Let in a breath of fresh air, fresh Opportunities and new change. 


Chase it head on and showcase 

Your light as

It shines so brightly through the cracks


Rainbow reflections of many years to come And 

Glowing mirrors showing

The person you’ve become


You’re a shining example of someone who Has seen darkness but made it through.

8. Golden Light 

September 2020

I’m ready to turn up the heat 


In my heart to full power.


I begin to glow, 

In this golden aura 

It felt like a blanket wrapped 

Its arms around me.


I feel warm, 

Content, 

Comfortable and safe. 


I push out the golden light

And let it rain down on people 


From the cool 

Air 

Into the souls of people. 


My light will shine

Ever so brightly

In the darkest places. 


Like the sun 

Guiding people 


Goodness 

Is needed in this world

Time for me to enlighten the world 

With my dazzling and glistening power.


I’m going to open my glowing eyes 

To a new dawn,

Let my luxurious light sit at the front 

While the darkness fades at the back. 

Beauty Within The Cracks (2020): Work

9. Trying To Be Me

September 2020

I’m trying to be me

but it’s so hard when people put you down,

I’m trying to be me

but it’s so hard when people 

blow your fire out. 

I’m trying to be me

but it’s so hard when people 

rain on your parade. 

I’m trying to be me

but it’s so hard when people don’t 

give you a chance because of your race.  

I’m trying to be me

but sometimes I don’t have 

the strength to fight. 

I’m trying to be me

I’m beginning to untangle 

the webs that 

are trying to consume me 


I know I’ve got to be strong,

but it’s so hard in this world

when they keep trying 

to change who I am. 


I’m just 

trying to be me


I’m trying,


trying 


to be me. 


Even though it’s difficult sometimes

I’m feeling hopeful. 

10. My Foundation/Wings of Angels 

May 2020

My Foundation continues to battle

against the 

shadowing winds

that try to knock it down


evaporating the noise

that begins to gather. 


Marks on the pillars 

begins to appear

like scars on the skin. 


Each one telling a different story. 


Four walls 

stand tall 

on a strong promise,


shiny glistening windows look 

out into the future,


encouraging words 

imprinted in stone. 


I weave together all I’ve been through

and forwardly I press on ahead. 


My wings

begins to appear

it’s magical, 

sparkling, special, baby blue colouring 


the outlines of 

the wings are all over the place 

like a cotton wool sky


Beautifully imperfect. 


My silhouette is 

boldly perched above,

while the lights continue to flash

observing the destruction below


I’m now ready 

for the take off

I hope you’ll all join me. 

11. Hope

September 2020

That powerful word ‘hope’ is

The incredible invisible rope 

That I cling on to. 


I begin to grab tightly when 


I feel like 

I’m sinking in the deep ocean 

Of my thoughts and 

Rollercoaster 

Of my emotions. 


This rope is my amazing anchor

Keeping me sane through 

The chaotic chaos of life. 


I have been rejected 

More times than I can count. 


But I don’t feel defeated

I always have positivity in store. 


Hope a word that is so powerful

A good feeling begins

To cook in my belly


The promise of a better tomorrow 

The missing pieces of the puzzle 

To help us through. 


To me hope is a word 

That holds a lot of strength 


So I cling tightly to it. 


I hope for tomorrow, 

Months to come and 

Even for my life right now.

12. Journey (Destination Unknown)

September 2020

Where am I?


Where am I going?


Where is this road 

going to take me?


Destination Unknown. 


I’m marching towards a destination 

but I don't know what is the end. 


My old footprints 

have not be erased

but are now a distant memory

New ones 

are now being made. 


I wonder if I will ever stop walking. 


My feet begins to hurt, 

my mind is tired 

my eyes dragging on the floor 

feeling heavy. 


Every stepping stone I walk on
makes my heart 

grow so strong.


It

Expands my mind 

even more further 

than it’s ever been before 


Obstacles

stop me in my path 

Trying to knock me off course. 

But with this it has 

Made me wiser as I grow older. 


The path ahead seems

Interesting, painful and rewarding 

But I know at the end of this 

I’ll feel proud of the hard work I have put in. 


Sometimes I’m lost and 

not sure what turning to take. 


Arrows are not always there to help 

They test me to see what decisions I make. 


This journey I must commence

I must keep strong and solider through. 


Where am I?


Where am I going?


Where is this road 

going to take me?


The big question is what will the end destination look like?

Beauty Within The Cracks (2020): Work

13. Breathe 

September 2020

I breathe 

I breathe 

I breathe 


I take a breath in


I feel like I’m on a cloud,

floating by 

in the crisp blue sky 


I breathe 

I breathe 

I breathe 


I take a breath out 


I begin to let the chaotic 

noise around me 

dissolve away. 


I breathe 

I breathe 

I breathe 


I take a breath in 


Up and down 

Down and up 

I am glad 

to still be standing.


I breathe

I breathe 

I breathe 


I take a breath out 


Slowly ex-haling 

the negative thoughts 

that orbit around my mind 


I breathe 

I breathe

I breathe 


I take a breath in 


As I fall into an 

meditation wonderland 

transporting me to 

another world. 


I breathe

I breathe 

I breathe 


all so slowly. 

14. KEEPIN’ IT REAL

September 2020

Please allow me to introduce myself


…I am…MANNY. 


I’m a black man  

with power,

with an education, 

with knowledge,

with a good heart, 

with a voice,

a unique creator.  


Today as I sit with my messy hair, 

herbal tea in hand, 

inked pages in my notepad 


I begin to reflect

I’m feeling a bit stronger 

than I ever did

but I know there will be days 

that are not great and 

that’s okay because life isn’t perfect


I’m KEEPIN’ IT REAL with all of you.

15. Creative Type 

September 2020


I sit down, 

Notepad in hand 

I tap my pen to think. 


Images begin to build up in my 

Creative bank.

It’s showcased out like an art gallery. 


The sounds circling me are so 

Enchanting and calming like a choir


The stage is my canvas, 

The crowds feed me energy and 

My talents are presented for the world to See. 


Words flying 

Together 

Forming creative sentences.


But sometimes I’m met with a nasty block, An obstacle relaxing in the way

One of those difficult bosses that is so Frustrating to defeat in games 


Stopping me

Giving me an evil stare 


But, 

I won’t let it win 

I know imagination and

Inspiration are the keys to unlock this Block. 


Soon ideas I begin to see,

They feel so free; 

As my pen moves silently 


It flows, flows, 

Flowing graciously out of me as the ink Oozes out of my soul.  


Other days are not the same. 


As I sit and think, think, 

Thinking my ideas are not that great.


The bin begins to get fed with all the Scrunched up paper I’ve thrown into it  

And it is to my simple shock, 

That I have no ideas in stock,  


I’m here again

A cloudy mind

A blank page


I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster, 


Some days it’s an empty void 

And other days the words comes out of Me 

Beating with their own heart, 

And smiling as 

We part ways and it makes its way to the Page. 


What a journey even after all of this 


I love my creative mind


Even though it can be confusing 

Sometimes,


It’s mine  


My own unique creative mind


What type am I?


Well 


I’m a creative type of course. 

16. Swerved

September 2020

That reign of terror,

Now a thing of the past 

I’m feeling a bit better at last

No longer am I afraid.

It's time for me to be repaid. 


All the hatred on me, make a stand

No more worries, I’m feeling grand. 


Haters can never shatter my dream,

I’m gonna carry on with a bop and lean 


Haters can hate

You can slate you’re not even

My mate.


Yeah 

I’m speaking the true-ish

Yeah I’m ready to take the hit. 


They hate you because your being you

they make up lies and call it true. 


But I’m speaking up,

Martin Luther style 

Yeah I know it’s takin’ me a while. 


So I gotta say


Swervin away my lane is now blazing

Swervin away my haters are now raging


Only people I want in my lane,

Are the true ones,

if you’re not that then you have been 


Swerved!


A sweet one up on the scene

swerving through, 

Yeah my whip’s bare clean. 


Drip, drip, drip

yeah I’m drippin’ 

slip, slip, slip

you’ll never see me slippin’


Every day is a new day 

I’m in a new place

Renting up a new space 

Seeing a new face. 


I’m the new creative around 

Colours will be painted all over town 


I’m swerving in my lane and 

I’m ready to bring my spark. 


I’m feelin’ fresh and fly 

Energy at an all time high. 

I’m gonna live life right 

Every night we’re swervin by 

I’m ready to strive. 


Let’s go

Swervin away my lane is blazing


Swervin away my haters are now raging 


Only people I want in my lane,

Are the true ones,

If you’re not that then you have been 


Swerved!

17. Feeling Good 

September 2020

I woke up very happy today.  


Blessings of seeing another day.   


As I breathe in and 

Out I feel my heartbeat, 


A smile appears on my face

It’s shining bright like the sizzling sun


I’m swimming in harmonic waves not a care In the world

I’m cheering as glitter floats around me


Today I feel determined, 

Confident and pumped


I woke up energised 

And I’m ready to continue my journey. 


I’m in such a great mood

I’m laughing, 

I’m dancing,

I’m doing things I love to do


A relaxing kind of comfort surrounds me And enfolds


I woke up very happy today.   


Blessings of seeing another day.

Beauty Within The Cracks (2020): Work

18. FIERCE QUEEN (ft. Cerri)

September 2020

MANNY:


I am cheeky, 

Lovely and strong. 


My light inside will continue 

To shine out 

While I strut my stuff 

Down my runway 


I feel the wind of fury 

Rushing right through 

My bones


As I step out. 


Today 

I’m feeling fierce 

So fierce

And 

I’m going to own it 


To be different

To feel good 

And I know

You hate that


I feel your coldness 

All over me

The frosty words 

and the stone cold stare


But


In all of this

I’m feeling powerful 

Like an ice berg. 


I bring the sunshine

With my flame,


I bring the showers

Refreshing life 

With the downpour of rain,


I bring the thunder

Sparks soar 

From the electricity. 


Lighting up the world 

With positivity.  


Cerri:


I am ferocity, 

terrible and beautiful.


Heavy set frame and broad shoulders,

hairy legs, and chest, and arms,

folding to fit femme framed fabrics, 


but


I am crowned by a curving face, 

soft jaw, plumped cheeks,

with lilac lightning painted across eyes. 


That shoot sparks,


bloom into wildfires roses,


spreads like legs, 


and you hate it!


I catch your eye, feel cold steely stare,

the daggers in your disgust!


But


in all this heat 

I will melt it down, 

into armour,

into weapons

into crowning glory.

~ MANNY & Cerri

19. Brave Warrior 

September 2020

To me you’re a Brave Warrior


And you will always be a brave warrior 


Never forget that 


You’ve been through many wars

I know you’re tired, stressed & sore 

And you feel

Like you can’t go on no more. 


But your time is not done yet

Warrior,

You’re powerful, special 

Slaying the game 


I’ve seen you pushed down 

Through the ground. 

I’ve even seen you 

Pick yourself up again and again. 


Brushing off the dirt 

And carry on with life

Like nothing ever happened. 


You are a hero to me 

Never forget that.  


Please never give up

This is your journey

And this is your story to finish. 


There are so many chapters 

Still yet to explore and discover

So set stepping stones in your life & 

Hold tightly onto hope. 


Don't forget to look around you and take Everything in. 


Don't forget you have backup, a team, People on your side

Life is a battle field so

Keep fighting till the end

If you fall along the way

Don’t worry 

You can get up and try again. 


Warrior always look towards 

The bright light 

In the darkest hour 

like a golden flower 

Buried deep in rubble. 


Always remember 

Brave one

You’re fearless, 

You’ve been through many wars 


And you’re still standing.


20. Parade 

September 2020

What makes each one 


Of us different from one another?

We’re all human 

Why can’t we all just get along?


And shine 

In the rainbow together

Let’s be united, 

Join together in great force

Let’s bring back joy in the world, 

We all deserve that



Let’s create our 

Rainbow Parade

Within Be The Change. 




This is our community,

So let’s reignite unity 

We can let our rainbow colours shine, 

Start a parade together, 

Dance and enjoy life 

And show the world 

What it means to come 

Together!

21. Room For Change

September 2020

So much change is 

Still needed in the world


If this year or even the years before  

Has shown us anything


It’s that there is still a lot 

Of work that needs to be done


Racism still floats around,

Bullying still continues, 

Violence is on the rise

We can’t just sit in 

Silence anymore this is a 

Problem that needs fixing


People are afraid to be 

Their true selves and 

Are being killed for no reason


Some people out there feel like they have No voice and are being silenced. 


At the moment I feel like I’m living in Darkness

A world which is so cold 

And I want the light and the warmth to Return again


We need to join the mighty motivation 

To make the change


Powerful revolutions to 

Create better solutions


We need to create a better place,

With the option for everyone to belong

There are 

Better ways of problems to be solved. 


A sense of harmony, 

Peaceful melodies let's take this vision on 


Let’s start a new chapter

There’s always 

Room For Change. 


Let us find a new way 

To move forward in time … and 

Not backwards in time. 


Let’s build a future,

A strong platform 

A powerful foundation, 

For the safety of 

Everyone

But also for the next generations 

That follows after us


We can show them

There are other ways, to solve conflict

Not just hurtful words 

And actions to belittle people


It’s time to 

Stand together, 

Hand in hand 

Not divided 

Or we’ll fall


It’s time to 


Be The Change.

Beauty Within The Cracks (2020): Work
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