New Music and Poetry for 2018/2019 Season

Hello all!

Thank you so much for your continued support. I’ve been working on a lot of music and poetry over the past few months and I’m getting ready to upload a new series up here. In addition, I’ve been performing more around NY and NJ so if anyone is in the area they are encouraged to come. Currently I am re-uploading the individual tracks to my Youtube channel so those can be listened to now at your leisure. A lot of big things are coming, hope to see you all there!

-Shawn Brelvi

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjV9SLBd4CXxVG0e3HzX9gA?

Foray Into Performance [3/3]

This was one of the last poems I wrote my first year of college. This one was different from the others because I decided to write about myself. I normally don't like doing pieces like this because it makes me feel egotistical but this one had a message to make up for it.

Journey

Self

This four letter word

So absurd that it defines me

And nothing more

At my very core this is who I am

A string of talents, numbers, and idiosyncratic tendencies

Is what everyone sees

But is it really me?

The moments that I feel

Are the outtakes to the highlight reel

Like the roots beneath the umbrage of trees

Under the glare of others I want to be released

From the judging

From the begrudging

From the people who look down on me

And hate to see my smile regardless of the miles

On this journey

I’m not done

It has just begun

I’m young and stupid

Cupid has struck

And I’m in love with hating myself

I’ll never be top shelf with my

Short body, long hair, bad jokes that get me nowhere

Dark skin, high voice

Never makes people rejoice

Curse my DNA

I wish there was a choice

But wait,

We do have a choice

The choice is yours to make yourself worthy

Trust me you’re not dirty and unwanted

You’re beautiful and exalted

So don’t be shoved by the forces of doubt

Don’t pout when things don’t work out

Smile and be happy that you’re moving

On the road of life paved with strife

Rejoice for the life you’ve been given

And be driven to be the best you can be

Foray Into Performance [2/3]

As I performed more throughout college I wanted to write on a wide array of topics. I would normally write about my life and others around me but I was never able to show any of them to my mother.

This is one of them.

Mother

You smother me with love

But all I did was shove

Another attempt to mend our broken bond

Don't you get it that I'm not fond

Of you

Our relationship is like glue

It binds us from two

But wears out when we're stuck for too

Long

You and I don't get along

But don't you see? When I'm alone I hear a song

A soothing tone that goes to my bones

I'm erratic because I've just had it

Because you never leave me alone

In my time of singularity

I've found clarity

As to why my love for you is a rarity

And it's because I'm tired of you being a charity

Case

I've found my place

In the world in this vast space

The space where it's a race to see who can save their own face

From all the wrong doings they've done and try to efface what happened

Truth is the past never goes away

Until the day you lay

To rest but momma you're the best

I don't wanna see you go

But I love to watch you leave

I just needed a reprieve

So grieve!

At the death of what once was

Have my voice in your head like a buzz

And my good memories of you are starting to fuzz

Trying to remember what was

Our love

That I shoved away

But I don't want to see the day

Where I can shoot you a text that says "hey"

And you don't reply

Thus denying my attempt for a hem

In our relationship that used to be a gem

In the rough

Because childhood was tough

And you were always there

Tousling my hair

Cooling me off with your cool air

Of a motherly gale

Reading me a night time tale

So mother, don't fret when I block your smother

Because you are like no other

I just need time to forgive what you've done

And move on and make you proud that I'm your son.

Self Discovery Through A Dialogue (2015)

I dabbled in poetry my freshman year of college and largely wrote about what was going on in my life. This is where I first rediscovered my love for word craft and public speaking.

This first piece, "Self Discovery" was an extra credit assignment. After reading it to others, people felt that this was one of my more personal poems. This poem can be described as a conversation between my inner thoughts and drugs.

Self Discovery

Who would think?

That the lines of Shakesperean drama would give me the drink

Of truth serum to make me hear them

Them being the advisers of old and the creators of new

What are you talking about dude?

Just take it easy with thoughts wrongfully construed

Listen to me to calm your mood

What's wrong dude?

You're the problem you lethargic pest

You restrict me from being my very best

Constantly testing my relationships with others

Life with you bothers me and leaves me with unrest

A pressure, ever-present, in my chest

What did I do?

All the pain was brought upon by you

My fingers don't purchase what you need

It's all in your control

To take from the bowl that gives you life

But now it gives you strife?

What gives?

What gives are the genuine friends in my life

The opportunities that present themselves slip away when I'm with you

My accolades, qualities, and achievements are cut down by scythe

Under the influence that sticks to me like glue

I wish to discontinue this partnership that was once so tight

I search for a light

Not exclusive to lighters and burning bowls

But a light that is manifested through my actions as a good Samaritan

And not one that creates fights and holes

But without me, you see

You become complacent with staying at one level

A moment with me and you aren't disheveled

You escape the problems that you face

Return to your happy place

Get a sip of water in this race of life

But don't you see?

Escaping responsibilities and exiting our reality doesn't bring clarity

Being with you is not an irregularity anymore and I become less of a charity

I give and expect nothing in return when away from you 

But you take and want more when I'm subdued

Taking advantage of my intrinsic values

I see how it is.

If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen

Loser.

I'm not the loser when you're as dull as a constant boozer

My absence in conversations and discussion let me cruise through the rapids of life

But I'm on a sinking raft

And I don't mean to sound daft

But enough is enough

I see... Can we still be friends?

I'll be with you til' the very end

There to make amends when the time is right

There to be the light in your moment of plight

There to let go

There to enjoy a show

There to--

Go! Leave me in my time of despair

Truth is you never cared 

How I'm doing

How I'm feeling

How you destroy me and rip apart my very core

Goodbye, my companion.

I may return but with lessons from before

So that you can't effect my subconscious anymore

You're noxious

I'm elated by your absence

It doesn't make sense 

But neither do you

I bid you, adieu