718 Unlimited Barber Shop
262 Linden St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
718 Unlimited has been in Bushwick helping the community get fresh since the 90’s. (Barbershop owner) is keeping within tradition, as this building was originally used as a barbershop as early as the 1950s. The cuts in the building went from pompadours and ducks asses, to caesar cuts and skin fades. The times change, and so do the styles.
(1) Playing With Numbers
When I was 8 Nueva Yol was what I stared at Through the plane window.
Turning 9 was easy planning my birthday was hard.
Everyone I knew and love never got on the plane.
At the age of 10 I got cast in the school play The Wizard of Oz.
From Tin-man to Lollipop Guild
His English was perfect,
His Tin Man had a heart
Sin toke de lengua Latina.
By 11 I spoke perfect English.
Then I turn 12 and Curious George
And red strings was my world.
Testing the strength of that string was my 9-5...
Pliers, Notebooks, Toys, silverware…
You name it and I was putting it to the test!
At the age of 13 she made me my last birthday cake.
They never tasted the same.
Then 14 came an Payless Shoes store
Broke my heart for the last time.
Age 15 I had braces and glasses and had to take the train.
Guys should have a Sweet Sixteen
Maybe I would have never joined the black & gold brigade.
17 I was lost in a world of 360 degrees constitutions,
Latin Kings bylaws, Number 18: Your family comes second,
The Latin King Nation is first.
Theater betrayed the gang and control 19•20•21
Finding myself around Vegan Tofu Earl Grey Thespians
Hugging trees while mushrooms hug my Brooklyn darkness.
22 I accepted white people don't know everything although most claim to.
23 I swerved and evaporated into a cook pot, Pyrex, baking soda, Escobar flow
Which funded my 24-27 European Canadian swagg
Anne Frank's closet was painted white with blue trimmings,
Hitler would have been proud of that.
28 I reflected on all the broken hearts.
Melissa crushing mines,
Shei aborted without telling me.
I destroyed Helena.
She moved to Connecticut to be closer to me in Vermont.
Dipset was my ride or die true lover and friend
But you know the saying ‘you can't turn a hoe into a housewife’
I always try to break templates simply because love is beautiful.
Reina aka Helena's karma aka all my savings,
Ran over me and then threw salt on my wounds.
I still talk to her.
29 I found still waters in my storm.
30 I became about my community
When she at 10 thinks a gang is cool.
At 31 I found you but it was 2 soon again
Once upon a time I remember to love and keep loving because of you.
Now I welcome spring bouquets of crocus flowers, daffodils,
Sunflowers and precious tulips.
Then 32 withering pedals landed on my lap.
I new not how to water then.
Gathering pruning shears and hand trowel at 33 for my Jardin
When all was needed was agua to begin anew.
34 is cloudy with many droplets gathering to strike
Deny be me, deny by past immigrational traumas
It landed Thundering stealing thoughts to survive
At 35 my mother earth began shattering.
Watching her past daily, talking to gone branches
From the family tree. I act using the only skills I know
bringing to life Tia Akrosida Floribunda, Abuela Cóbana Negra,
Primo Coralillo, Tatarabuelo Lantana, Papa Cayena,
Lets not forget a su hermana Etela Morivivi.
36 characters and counting…
Not denying myself a visit.
I visit her for 30 minutes a day
su nieto Modesto, Mode, Modestito
de nine years old when she grab my hand
and help me on that plane.
I will never forget,
will never let her forget.
Cion Ma. I say
Dios Te Bendiga Mijo.
She replies
(2) Still Waters in a Storm (Jill’s Room)
A space to appreciate understanding
The colors Red, Green, Orange
An endless list
Like sunlight for the soul
A place to root,
To gather nutrients
Like orchids,
Kids can flourish here
Like daisies glow
A growth of the mind not possible
In my youth.
It lives here!
The space take my breath away
It calms the mind
The sound of listening
“I am very happy here” says Addy
Pen and paper in hand
Intellectual tranquility
A silence to be loved.
Observed, don’t disturb.
“This is lovely purple” adds Tessa
As she paints a bird
“This is a lovely purple chicken” replies Jill
Peace in her eyes
Excitement in her voice
POPCORN! Yells out Nina
Gleefully watching Aaron
Learning moods like learning air
“How do you feel today?”
“It’s cloudy Ms Jill. Its Cloudy
(3) Classroom Prayer
I don’t remember you from I.S 162
I was 12. It was your first school.
A conglomorate of latinos y africanos.
Before gentrification hit the hood.
You was there in the trenches Jennifer
Teaching our youth
You wanted to do it
Not for loan payments
Not for the accolades
Not for tenure
You knew it needed to be done
To teach clarity
To teach growth
To the future
I don’t remember you from 162
I don’t know where it happen
How you decided to forget
Human to human care
You have clock out
Accept that flako
I repeat to self
While i watch
School activities ignore
By you and gossip embraced
To pass the time.
I don’t remember you when i was 16
When you would bring extra notebooks
You new it was hard for kids to have
Pen and paper
I don’t remember you
While i teach
El pasado El futuro y el presente
I wish i could remember jennifer
That teacher that walk into I.S162
With a smile
A bag of supplies and care
For the future
(4) Un Brindis
Un Ode
We celebrate you - Educators
Language (english) learners pushers
Shout out to The Assistant principals
For holding the down the principals
Gracias a ti Maria y tu Lunch squad
for bringing smiles on bellies
A ti janitor Danny for keeping rottens away
A ti Para teacher Susan for holding their hand
Ps75 educators all over the boroughs
Glasses in the air.
This Toast Is for you,
Teaching artist Jamal and Rebecca
And all your dancing theater lure
Keep bating them to learn
That they’re the purest of magic
Jose The nurse that with a bandaid cures
Everything,
becoming the Schools Therapies
Simply by listening
Gracias a todos
Este Brindis es para ti
Superintendent y Deans
Para esos Librarians that scream silence
with the unlimited book stash
Polishing dreams
College counselor ready with FAFSA form schemes
A ti Secretary for your countless hours
A ti Special education teacher por tu care