"So who is Ryan Lessard? For a long time he was the 'produce guy,' as this is the only contact I'd ever had with him, seeing him stock produce at a local supermarket at which we both worked. We never discussed the ripeness of lettuce, or what season was best for growing tomatoes and, whereas, I'm sure neither of us lost much sleep over that fact, what is unfortunate is that it took almost 10 years before I knew that he was much more than just the 'produce guy.' Ryan is not just a poet, or ...

Of By & 420this year seemsimportantdon't they allthis year politicsmight move peopleafter all it's an electionyear and if'of, by & for the people'is what we learnedthe people shouldpay attentionthe will of the peoplemight be challengedboth sides of the establishmentparadigm challenged as wellthe silent majoritymight turn out to votethe silent majoritymight wa...

over doing it maybemight even beover doing itwriting so much downmight even be evidenceof an over active mindprobably not the worstvice to display or becomethis time of night or dayit doesn't seem to matterwhen I grab the pengoing where the thoughts leadthe sound of a plane overheador cars navigating this littleneighborhood in randomsville, usaguess I could be anywherebut two ge...

The random thoughts and occasional poetry expressed here within the pages of Thirty-3, remove any doubt that we become woven into the fabric of another, whenever we enter their sphere... knowingly or not.The feelings behind this thought collection represent the full range of human emotion and thirteen years of words written... They are meant to simply be and at the same time challenge the reader to see that which might not be obvious...

Having known Ryan Lessard for nearly 30 friggin years, OF COURSE I couldn't refuse his request to wrangle up a few persuasive words of assurance and joyousness. Only thing is, as kids, while he was busy tryna gain the speed to beat me at the 50 yard dash, or the strength to take me in an arm wrestling match, he overlooked one crucial thing: I always turned in my work either late or tooth-skin status, if at all. Clearly, he's a rad enough guy to be longtime friends with a girl who might des...

I wanted someone to write this introduction because I don't know how to introduce my work. I mean here it is read it is what I want to say, but that sounds so impersonal. I have asked many people to pen the introduction for my random thoughts & poetry. This volume is no different. I asked Carl Evan Yancy this summer to put some words together for me and he had two conditions. First I would have to move back to Brockton and second he would have to 'be hip-hop!' I agreed to both conditions a...

...remember him always warning and foretelling of not allowing oneself to be one of the confused masses. Always question the majority and authority. He found comfort in his writing though I was not aware of how much so until much further down the road in adulthood. I believe it's how he copes and processes the world around him. The international world and well as his little world he envelopes himself in. Some may think his writing sounds militant or angry, and at times, rightfully so. Real...

measure the nightby the amount of thoughtscrammed into one dayseventh ready to show the worldeven if most don't knowit exists that doesn't meanit isn't real because it iseven if I can't explain how theyare delivered to memight even have to admitthey are my creationstoday measuring the nightin pages turned overand covered conversationsall types barely use the phonesto talk isn't that str...

The definition of philosophy is the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, nature and the meaning of life. Most people seek out their own particular set of ideas about knowledge, truth, nature and the meaning of life.When I met Ryan Lessard, we both were kids chosen to be in a program for gifted youth at the Arnone School in Brockton,MA. It also was 1984, a golden era for learning, hip hop music , and Saturday morning cartoons. You see, we were the type of kids who had high intelli...

When you are conscious of your state, you are in control. That is obvious. You choose your direction in life or one is chosen for you. A nightmare can arise though, when you are led down a path that is paved with half truths, and messages from beings that resemble friends. Upon recognizing these half truths and friendships of inopportune, you may choose to look behind the curtain to find the truth or answers to life's questions. This action actually requires a plan. A plan and development ...

So who is Ryan Lessard? For a long time he was the 'produce guy,' as this is the only contact I'd ever had with him, seeing him stock produce at a local supermarket at which we both worked. We never discussed the ripeness of lettuce, or what season was best for growing tomatoes and, whereas, I'm sure neither of us lost much sleep over that fact, what is unfortunate is that it took almost 10 years before I knew that he was much more than just the 'produce guy.'Ryan is not just a poe...

Do you know how to pray? Is there a correct way to pray? Have you wondered if there is an effective prayer you should repeat as most of your prayers seem to be unanswered? A prayer is a conversation with God that you can have at anytime, anywhere. The purpose of prayer is not to beg to God but to talk to him and ask for his help. You should feel as burden has been lifted off your shoulders after you are finished with your prayer. If not, you may not be praying correctly. This essay teaches...