Beauty Within The Cracks
September 2020
Beauty Within The Cracks is my first writing 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!
1. Inked Pages
September 2020
Words soar swiftly 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 now
I’m turning up the heat inside my heart,
Full power glowing,
Can you feel it from the start
Golden aura wraps me like a warm embrace
So sweet
A blanket of light that keeps me safe and on
My feet.
I push out golden light and let it rain
Down wide, from the cool air into souls
Where hope resides.
My shine will break the dark, yeah, I’ll be
Your sunbean guide goodness needed now;
Watch love ignite
Every shadow fades when this radiant flame
Is near, lighting
every corner where fear once
Appeared.
A beacon for the lost and
Weary hearts on their way
In my dazzling glow,
We find the strength to face each day
Feel that warmth
Spreading like a healing tide
Where peace won’t hide.
The world needs our spark to lift us higher
So I turn up the heat inside this glowing
Heart of mine — full power bright!
Pushing out that golden shower across sthe sky
And life shining right through darkest hours!
Yes,
I’m lighting up the world with love tonight!
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
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?
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
A black man with power,
Strength you can’t deny
With education in my mind
And knowledge in my heart
Got a good soul reaching
Out through every part
Messy hair, herbal tea —just me today
Inked pages telling stories that I gotta say
Reflecting on the journey and how far I've come
Feeling stronger than I ever was before the sun
But some days won’t be easy, yeah that’s alright
Life’s not perfect but it keeps me fightin’ Through the night
I’m keepin’ it real, keepin’ it true —
All of you see me standing tall
With a voice that shakes the sky,
Unique creator made to fly
I’m more than just a
Story or what they try to mold
Power runs deep beneath
This skin of gold
Education and experiences
Built my foundation brick by brick
Knowledge lights my way
When everything feels thick
Good heart ready to love
And heal this space we share
A voice that's bold enough
So no one else despair
Creating from within what's beautiful and new
This is who I am — honest, pure and true
Some days bring clouds
But rain can cleanse our pain
And even in the storm
You'll find a brighter flame
So when life gets messy
Like this hair on my head
Remember strength
Grows deeper from the words I've said
Ink spills truths only time will understand
We rise together walking hand in hand
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
Haters try to break me down,
But they can’t shatter my dream
I’m riding through the night
With a bop and lean
Swervin’ past the noise,
Yeah, my lane’s blazing bright
Only real ones by my side when I take flight
If you’re not true,
Then you’ve been swerved away
No time for negativity in my day
Colors splashin’ all around this town
Creativity’s alive — watch me shine
Swervin’, swervin’ in my lane tonight
Bringing that spark, feelin' fresh and fly (oh-oh)
Energy's high, everything feels right (yeah-yeah)
Haters rage on but I’m reaching new heights
Carry on strong with every step I make
Loving life more with every move I chase
True ones stay by my side
Fake vibes fade out — no need to hide
If you’re not true,
Then you’ve been swerved away
No room here for bitterness today
Painting dreams in colors loud and proud
Living large now—I stand unbowed
Swervin’, swervin’ in my lane tonight
Bringing that spark, feelin' fresh and fly (oh-oh)
Energy's high, everything feels right (yeah-yeah)
Haters rage on but I’m reaching new heights
Keep swerving left and right—
Never stuck in place
My dreams too big for any jealousy or hate
Break through ceilings higher
Than they ever imagined
Carvin' paths where
Magic meets passion unfastened
True colors shining vivid against all odds fought
Got that flame inside that can never be bought
So watch me elevate while they dissipate
In this game of life man—
You create your own fate
Swervin’, swervin’ in my lane tonight
Bringing that spark, feelin' fresh and fly (oh-oh)
Energy's high, everything feels right (yeah-yeah)
Haters rage on but I’m reaching new heights.
17. 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 dislike 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
18. 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.
19. Parade
September 2020
Come on, let’s be united, feel the power grow
Join together in great force,
Watch our spirits flow
We all deserve that joy inside
Our hearts to hold
Bringing back the love and
Light, breaking every mould
Let’s create our rainbow,
Shine together side by side
In this community
Where hope and dreams won’t hide
Reignite the unity
That glows inside each one of us today
Dance and celebrate the change —
Come on out and start that parade!
Every shade a story told,
Every hue alive and free
We’re stronger when we
Walk as one through endless possibility
From every corner near or
Far let joy explode like rays
This is what it means to come together — lighting up these days
Let’s create our rainbow,
Shine together side by side
In this community
Where hope and dreams won’t hide
Reignite the unity
That glows inside each one of us today
Dance and celebrate the change —
Come on out and start that parade!
Raise your voice with me now—
Let happiness ignite (oh oh oh!)
Feel freedom move you deep down—we got Colours burning bright (yeah yeah yeah!)
Let’s create our rainbow —
Shine together side by side
In this community where
Hope forever shines so wide
This is how we show the
World what it means to unite as one
Come join hands—
Start dancing—our rainbow has just begun!
20. 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.