Over Waiting

I've known for a few years that my cousin, Daniel Garcia Ordaz is a poet, teacher and linguist. However, I'd never read, heard or seen any of his work. He recently visited Houston and his family had dinner with our family. He came bearing the gift of word in the form of his new book, "Know What I'm Sayin', Poetry and Drama by Daniel Garcia Ordaz". Let me just say right now...It's good! You Know What I'm Sayin'? (Second Edition) is a celebration of the common experience of language and culture, transfiguring time and place and juxtaposing the politics of urban hip-hop America with the sociology of rural deep South Texas, a retelling of ancient history sung by a contemporary voice.

The writer of the foreword encourages the reader to become the speaker and to read Daniel's work out loud. So I did! There I sat in my room with my princess of a chihuahua, Lola and in my best Def Poetry Jam voice...I read aloud.

I LOVED IT!! I've always been a HUGE fan of poetry. Always have been. My Mom and Dad always encouraged me to write and to express my thoughts, ideas and feelings. As most of you know, that led me down the path of becoming a songwriter. What most people don't know about me is that I'm also a poet! Whether sung or spoken, I've always loved the sound of words.

And so...inspired by my friend, Naima's words to me, I wrote this lil piece of spoken word. I intend to use it in the new one-man show that I'm writing. Feel free to snap in approval at the end...lol

OVER WAITING by Leo Laredo, June 2009

I know what you’re thinking

Aren’t we over this yet?

My friends say bump it, squash it

Build a bridge and get over it

And I’m like a’ight cool, I can do that

But first, they gotta see what it’s like to be angry

When someone hurts you deep inside

Takes away your pride,

Takes you for a ride

Cause they mess with your brain

Driving you a lil insane

Cause you can’t see your way to…get over it.

So I write a lil song

To make me feel better,

To help me heal faster

To bring the peace quicker.

To manifest release

To create a show-piece

That’ll clue you in on

Who I am

What I am and

Why I am.

Cause where I am is in suburbia

Without even trying I’ve been led to believe

That bohemia is dead

And yet, what’s in my head

Had a voice, made some noise

And now it sits there in the sub-urban part of my head

Waiting

To get over it.

Thank you. :)