It’S a Matter of Degree: Poetry About Life, Love and ‘Stuff’

By Craig Anthony Bannister

This collection covers a volume of variegated moods, for the heart and social intellect. With varying styles, it represents an eclectic sampler ranging from hot greasy and funky erotic expression to contemporary social commentary. Much evolves over time, and this collection is such an effort. With some contemporary exceptions, the primary genesis of Its A Matter of Degree began some years ago. While styles have evolved over time, the messages reflected in these pieces remain current and strong. Life is still life, love is still love, and stuff remains stuff.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493179343

Craig Anthony Bannister

With language as his choice of weapons, Craig Anthony Bannister uses the word to paint brief but intense portraits of life, love and ‘stuff’. A longtime poet, griot, professional storyteller, teacher and historian. Craig’s work reflects his eclectic background, and dedication to the preservation, and perpetuation of the powerful legacy the word holds within the human community. This is his first published collection and another step in his life’s journey.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Craig Anthony Bannister.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014903864

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4931-7935-0

                Softcover        978-1-4931-7936-7

                eBook             978-1-4931-7934-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 02/19/2015

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

543515

CONTENTS

In Memoriam

In Memoriam James Baldwin, J. O. Killens, Amiri Baraka

Griots Duty

Heroes Malcom, Martin, Medgar and Martyrs Unknown

Vaticide

For Trayvon

Requiem

Private Dancer

Yes You Lover

Stay / Sunrise

Private Dancer

She Wolf

Nights to Remember

As You Stand

Endless

Candy Aint Dessert

Someone Special

Come Away / Nature

Moon Madness

Summer Storms

What it Is

Images

Blues

Disappointment

Flirtation / House of Blues

Miseries Waters

Blues

Remedy

Go Figure / Suicide

Returned to Sender / A Wino Speaks

Blues Deep

Tomorrow

Alternatives

A Matter of Degree

Night Heat

Nature / Sunrise

Start to Finish

Poetry in Motion

Summer Storm

Beautiful

Stormy Days

Adolescent Love

Not

For You

A Matter of Degree

Affliction

Dumb Love/ Loves Itch

Roses

Wish Poem

Amerika

Boat People

Ellis Island

Quintessential

American Metamorphosis

On the Bus / Lady Liberty

Forgetful / Lady Liberty II

Necessary Evil

A Black Man’s Strength

The Few

Sistas

Biology

Pubescent Biology

First Kiss

Chocolate State of Mind

Ode / Roses

Life’s Necessary Evil

Coming Home

Umoja

Question / Observation

Like Rain

Midnight Dancer

Midnight Dancer

42nd Street

Across the Street

Tired

Ten little ‘Indians’ on 125th St.

The Big Death

Invitation

If

A Question of Dreams

Goods / Amber

Contemplation

Question 2

Orfeo

Dreamtime

The Best Kind

Contemplation

Cava

Winter

Jazzin

Woman

Dimensions

Before the Mayflower

Before the Mayflower

I Too / Souls

Heritage

Fantasy Dream

Smile

An Old Colored Southerners View of Heaven

All Men

The Million-Man March

Why Sisters Didn’t Have to March

The West

A Face on the Train

Time

Champagne Promises

Holocaust

Remembrance

Remember

Remember Adolescence

Modern Times

Reality

Remember Identity

Young Brothers

Young Sisters

Superman

Would Things be Different / Different

Negro Education

Souls

Nothing / Memo to The Lord

Identity

Homeland Security

Obamaland

Paradise Lost

Depths

Remembrance

Afgan Freedom / Memo to My Ex

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It’s A Matter of Degree would not have been possible without the warrior efforts of Thomasenia Myers its intellectual midwife and a great and longtime friend. Without her enduring and unselfish support and occasional chiding, this work would still only exist on scattered