I am a continuing senior Aerospace Engineering and Mathematics student at Virginia Tech working toward my Bachelor's degree in Science with a deep passion for Spoken Word, Poetry, Science (in general) and specifically, Human Sociology and Psychology.

At a young age, I was always encouraged to read, study, and think for myself allowing me to develop what some qualified as a sharp inquisition, intuition, and pragmatism about the patterns of life and human development.  Listening was one of my greatest tools, helping to enhance my awareness through personal and vicarious experiences though others.  Emotional confusions as well as personal beliefs and conflicts led me to use poetry as a medium of expression, even at an elementary age.  As an adult, I began to write about the interactions of those around me, specific to the environments in which they occurred. This "listening" and observance, mixed with a general love for humanity, inspired me to believe I could use writing, poetry, and my own brand of "emotional logic" to teach others to listen, observe, and ultimately overcome their daily struggles, developing the same sort of social confidence I learned throughout the years of studying other people and environments.

The result: Above the Waves: A Poetic Journey Through Personal Revelation; my first organization of thoughts, ideas, mantra, and prayers, artistically outlining a path to self-actualization, freedom of expression, and love. Above the Waves is a progressive diary telling stories of love, faith, hope, and truths not uncommon to the various stages of human development.  The book, then, counts for me as a gift to those intent on becoming better citizens, lovers, and people.  A great read from a sincere and systematic author intent on creating the changes needed for all to live happier and healthier lives. Read on for excerpts and more!

I started EXPRESSIONS on campus with the idea of bringing students together to be able to express themselves freely. Click here to join the facebook group

In other words, Above the Waves is as much a personal journey as it is a philosophy. It is an artful spin on a man's journey through life, tirelessly swimming the oceans in search of paradise and love. The story treks through the hardships of sin, lust, denial, disapproval, and heartache--into faith, spirituality, and salvation, to ultimately realizing a personal path with infinite possibilities. This short collection of poems is tied by the idea that relief from the turmoil of life cannot last without a person's resolution to act with complete conviction toward preventing familiar hardships. Above the Waves also refers to the ability of a man to transcend the waters and see his paradise with complete clarity, as well as move freely between the differing states of paradise and home, thus rendering him immune to the nuances(waves) of everyday existence. These poems are written to encourage a belief that in attempting the improbable, the impossible can be attained. So I've taken the swimmer out of the water, and introduce a man...Above the Waves.

The following are some excerpts of Mr. Bey's work which is published in his aforesaid book.

"Mr. Nice Guy"

"...Like infection, he comes when you're cut, with good intention though
Helps to heal your wounds, and you like the attention
So you say he's the type of man every woman should have
And call on Mr. Support Bra, when your confidence sags..."

"...He's a nice guy, but you never tell him he's the right guy
holding him captive with that twinkle in your right eye
waiting for the day when you meet that Mr. Right Guy
Laying in your bed while you talk all night guy
Giving him hope, that ol' thinking-that-he-might guy
Til' you realize he's the type of man that LIKES guys--!..."

"Still you live your life by looking for this right guy
thinking it ordained as your God-given-right guy
still fantasizing about your chivalrous knight guy
Armor clad, riding to the sun-setting night sky
Daydreaming about your sweet chocolate delight guy
Just to realize when you wake up that he's bite sized..."

"Is he the right guy? While you're building a better life
You may find that Mr. Nice was always...Mr...Right."

"Potential"

"...Blessed by the father, and guided by the stars
A mortal man summoned destiny to manifest his cards
and so, here I stand, the same potential in my heart
to see if the wheel can be invented more than once..."

"M.I.M.I"

"She helps to comfort me when I'm all alone
and matches my every mood when I'm sitting at home.
She never does anything to upset me and knows
that if she did, it'd be nothing for me to tell her to go
but she's my love..."

"...She was...my love...my fuse...my blues...
My heart...my soul...my life... my muse..."

"J.UNI.or.VoicE: 
Son of the Universe/Heir to His Voice"

"...I'm blessed to have better sense;
I measure up in the five,
but my secret to success is in the seventh sense:
that's in the mind where time is irrelevant
and I predict the future, from the past, in the present tense.

I flip the time making rhymes more prevalent
and meditate in silence 'til my mind thoughts manifest...
...I could spend my life fraternizing with the residents
but I'd defer His dream, so here's My Voice;
I hope it was better spent..."