I’ve heard spoken word described as poetry that must be performed.

And you will see, as I saw, there is a reason why. The below video is from the first time I heard Propaganda perform. His words and the theme of Catalyst were something that have stuck with me for a while now.

Recently, I hung out with someone who left their phone in the car the whole day. I noticed. And it changed the tone of our time together. If you’re married, or not married, Propaganda’s words should make an impact on you.

I’m honored to have him as a guest on my site and for him to share the “lightbulb moment” behind writing this piece.

Photo Credit: Humble Beast Records

Be Present

By: Propaganda

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(Can’t see the video? Access on YouTube HERE.)

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So as the story goes, my wife and I had just got married. And by just, I mean we still lived in different apartments because our leases weren’t up yet. I had very little experiment with putting another persons needs over my own, my wife, being a single mom had a little more than me, however her daughter was 3 at the time so it wasn’t exactly the same. 

My wife flew up to Portland, were I was currently living to hang out with me. That night she had a dream that when she woke up another lady was in the house with us. For some strange reason she freaked out at this thought. When she asked WHOS THAT? I responded that’s my black wife and I don’t understand what the problem is.

It’s important to note at this particular point in the story that this is her dream version of me and I would never do anything like this.

When she finally woke up from this dream, She was mysteriously upset with me since I didn’t know what went on in her head I had no idea why she was so angry. She proceeded to tell me about the dream and we both got a good giggle out it. 

Later on that day, we decided to explore the city. As I was looking at my phone to figure out where we were going, I did not realize that she was attempting to communicate with me. Apparently I was responding to her with “yes”, “uhuh”, and “okay” as she was talking.

She noticed I really wasn’t paying attention, quickly remembered her dream, and referred to my phone as the black wife from her dream.

We both got another good laugh, but mine was a little more of a nervous laugh as I realized that this may be a sign of what my future struggle is going to be in our marriage. 

Out of that came the poem: “Be Present.”  I wish I could say this was a once needed lesson that I don’t still struggle with, but unfortunately that’s not the case.

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Questions

Do you struggle with “being present”? How has it affected your relationships?

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[MC, Rapper, Poet, Speaker]. Dynamic, soulful, experimental, and clever, all focused on the heart of a person.  With an uncompromising message intertwined with hot rhythms and beats, Los Angeles based, Propaganda lyrically puts together potent & prophetic music that reaches across the spectrum our culture.

Follow Propaganda on Twitter HERE. Follow Propaganda on Facebook HERE. Check out Propaganda’s Instagram HERE. Watch Propaganda’s Youtube channel HERE.

Download Propaganda’s records for free HERE.