ChurchBoyz Unleashed...

I have a friend. A brother who made transition this past Wednesday October 8. We performed together as a spoken word/vocal duo "BettaWayz".

It came about because of Jeffrey King, Executive Director of In The Meantime was celebrating his birthday and asked if I would share some poetry. I have a piece called "Idle Worship" that I thought would be perfect. I'd always wanted to perform it with a vocalist. The text of it is:

Idle Worship
By The Literary Masturbator™


He entered the edifice hoping to be saved

Wearing his best clothes to show the blessings of all his hard work

Praying at the altar for a savior

Hoping that would connect him to the divine


He drank of the cup and ate of the bread

The bar became his sanctuary

His place of refuge


A processional of toned bodies dancing in the spirit baptized the believer in trance like beats

and moved him to shout of the goodness

“The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!”


He was born again and gave 3 snaps

One for the father, one for the son, and one for the Holy Ghost


The club became his church

The DJ his minister of music

The bouncer the head usher

The vogueing queens the Pastor’s Aide committee


Trade was the truth – the gospel according to John, Gerald, Walter, Bernard, and Tyrone [Call HIM!!]


A choir of DL brothas offered an A selection of false hopes, a B selection of broken promises


At the benediction he left the temple with an angel he found leaning against the wall near the bathroom


Another type of worship service


Telling the saints,…Pray for me.

with Regi's and my creative collaboration we added vocals, harmony, and comedy to express the piece. Our duo was born and our friendship/brotherhood cemented.

We entered a spoken word contest about a week before the performance just to try out the material and placed first in Round 1. Unfortunately we didn't know there were 2 rounds so in the intermission I ran through some of the other pieces I had memorized and he added some vocals and we ended up 3rd overall. It was a testament to our ability to come together as separate artist.

I have performed with musicians and other poets but nothing has ever been like the bond with Regi and I. We were able to not see each other for a while but when we got together it was like we were with each other the day before. Even after I moved to the bay area I had him come and perform with me and it was as if we had never left each other.

Regi's heart was as big as his voice and if you ever heard him sing you would know that means it was gigantic. He flair for clothes and creative arts pushed others to places they didn't know they had inside of him. I will certainly miss him but as a believer in eternal life being continuing to speak of the people who inspire you, he is and always (All Ways) will be with me...