“Through the gift of writing, I have learned to express my thoughts and ideals in a manner of being best understood. I have tried hard not to allow negative thoughts or crazy ideals to interfere with anything meaningful and productive in my life.” Says author Alim M. Bey, “Do not allow yourself to come up short. Each of us has been given a gift at birth, and from that gift, we must learn to be positive, and wherever our aspirations fall, it should be our best.”

Part of a poem in Poetry at Its Ripest:

Do you have a friend?

Do you have a friend who has fallen and can’t get up?

And in all efforts made, still it isn’t enough

Do you have a friend who’s off track?

This is known knowledge and a fact

Do you have a friend refusing to give life another try?

During the talks and walks, you only see tears in their eyes

I saw such a friend the other day, in as many years

Need to clean up change clothes, hair hung below his ears

Do you have a friend you want to help in good taste?

Recognized you, turned walked away, leaving no trace