If you would like to post your poetry, please send an email to rmcmurry@madebymepublications.com. All submissions must be free of explicit or derogatory language (e.g., cursing, sexual content, hate language, character attacks, etc.). However, submissions MAY describe unfavorable conditions such as war, famine, racial hatred and politics as long as they do not attack a specific individual. In your email, be sure and include the copyright year of the poem you are submitting.
In addition to some of my poetry, you will find below individual works by Antony Hurley Bell, Ronald Chamberlain, Patricia L. Harris-Cook, Damian Haynes, Victoria L. Hicks, Elysia Hinkle, Nicole Jocleen, Yvette Johnson, Leonard Jones, JRICH, Kristen Lee, Ronald Oliphant, William E. Pattersonand Kim Robinson.
Lucinda Marie Thierry:
Birthdays
The blessing of life
Expounding in many ways
Family, friends, marriage, children
The blessing of learning
With each given day
Faith, hope, prayer, forgiveness
Each birthday is but a whisper in the midst
But I wish you a great one nonetheless
For it’s birthdays that remind us of the bliss
Of the precious gift of life we’ve been given
© 2008 Lucinda Marie Thierry
The following poem is an excerpt from the CD entitled From My Heart, A Collection of Poems by Lucinda Marie Thierry:
I’m Free
I was born free
Hair compact, course and nappy
And I was happy
Didn’t make no difference to me
‘Cause, you see, I was royalty
Purposed with a destiny
And the bushy crown on my head
Was part of my beauty
Free as can be
That was me
Then, one day, that all changed
And life as I knew it would never be the same
They took me from my home and transported me in pain
But I was still free
Couldn’t no chains restrain me
‘Cause what makes me free is who’s in side of me
My creator ain’t changed my destiny
You’ll see
They put me on a block and they sold me
Well ain’t that nothin’?
Talk about ignorance and idiocy
They say I ain’t human, but they got the same parts as me
Can’t they see?
Touchin’ God’s anointed will cause a penalty
No matter what you paid for me
I have my liberty
I’m free
Now I knew the meaning of work, and I did that in my homeland
And the fruits of my labor resided in my hands
But this, they say, is the massu’s land
But my Savior ain’t forgot about me
He seen what I sown, and He keeps a real good accounting
There’s gonna be a return on what He’s invested in me
Free, what an amazing thing to be
Today, they separated my family
My daughter was sold, and her massu stole her virginity
My husband was lynched, and I cried out in agony,
Lord, deliver me,
And He heard me
Civil War is over
Now they say, we free
Ain’t that what I said all along?
You can’t get any freer than free!
Massu say you can leave and starve or stay here and be subject to me
Huh, they definition of free ain’t free
I am who I claim to be
Now, it’s 2007, and I have seen so many things
I’ve been a nigga, Negro, colored and black, and now an African-American being
I’ve gone from ignorant to unequally educated to earning multiple diplomas
But I’ve also gone from being united to killing brothers, sisters, daddies and mommas
I’ve gone from segregated facilities to mixing with other races
And some folks still don’t like that
But there’s nothing they can do about my profound existence
And that, my brothers and sisters, is a fact
For I invented the street light, created the pressing comb and performed the first open-heart surgery
Demonstrated the use of the peanut ‘cause I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty
I was once the Chief of Staff, twice the Secretary of State
If you want to prosper without me
Honey, it’s certainly too late
Although life is still hard for me
Haters sneaking around every tree
Secretly and overtly taunting at me
I’m still free
Free to be who He’s created me to be
Free to fulfill my destiny
The choice is mine, you see
And I choose to be free
© 2007 Gabrielle Marie LeMure (pseudonym for Lucinda Marie Thierry)
Anthony Hurley Bell
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN
Thank you for all that you have given:
Pride and terror, love and death,
Agony and pleasure, pulse and breath,
Nights dreaded dreams, for guilt and sorrows unforgiven.
Experience, despair, vexation, and ecstasy.
You gave us goals to reach, and plateau’s to be risen.
Ethics broken, shots fired; you won our wars, now broken and tired.
Thank you for all that you have given:
Cracked ribs, damaged brains, and blood.
For us, you heroically made a stand in the fluid filled mud.
Salty tears fill seas over the directions you’ve been driven,
Left; never right. Most can’t appreciate the prices you’ve paid.
You gave us inspiration, by pain and passion eternal.
Yet we cast you aside when usefulness ends, how infernal.
Thank you for all that you have given:
Emotions welling up as I shake your prosthetic,
A painful final salute, hands and forehead diaphoretic.
New heights reached, over the hills you have striven;
Thank you so very much for all that you have given:
Time, without a doubt, the most important of all,
It’s on your backs that we proudly stand free and tall!
© 2010 Anthony Hurley Bell
BEDAZZLED
You caught my eyes
when I was trying to keep them to myself,
now being special to you is of supreme import,
just like stealth-
in the seas, you’re my Moby Dick,
I must reel you in with my harpoon.
Your smile dazzles me in my slumber,
eyes rare like a full blue moon.
At night like a ghost you haunt me,
can’t touch, but I know you are there-
a tantalizing spirit waiting at my door;
in fear I don’t go near.
Knocking, knocking, calling,
in trepidation I cannot hear.
Want to open my hearts door so bad!
But my brain won’t let me go,
excited and afraid of the happiness I fear I’ll never know,
and even though my brain says no,
my heart gleefully bellows yes!
Though most of your affection I have,
I’m fighting for the rest.
But what if I don’t get it, it seems too good to be true,
paralyzed by your presence,
what will I do if I lose you?
Will I ever move again?
In earnest I plead- let her in!”
© 2010 Anthony Hurley Bell
Ronald Chamberlain
Be Great in a State?
It was early one day, went down by the bay, to think and reflect, with respect, of the gifts, abundance all around U.S. often. Do this without a fuss or a cuss, at least try, I must. While enjoying the wind sweep in the breeze, the waves on the mind, think I heard a sign of kind. Keep a hope in sublime. Pursuit of more peace in the air, and space on a place, or in between, the sounds forward the town. As a quest toward serenity on free, is what I see. Shaded trees save one from the blaze of heat, yet once was a treat? Then off to explore some more as we go out the door, with feet fast to the floor. Now onto the next of the expeditiously demanding chores. May one search on an answer, even to core do they explore.
© 2010 Ronald Chamberlain
Count to Paramount
It's a cool Friday in the arena of OKC, USA, with an early display, by the way. The air is crisp, yet and still it's on a chill. Almost mid-December, one is apt to remember in a state of being. Now a few leaves yet to fall from the trees. The fall foliage reminds me of our society, with all of its variety. Tree of yellow leaves, has cast off its sleeves, while through a breeze. Leaf of orange on limbs that seem to be slim, like it has been under trim. Though trees of maroon and dark red, have some yet to shed. May the grasses color, tell their own story, even with a hint of glory? Oh, and let one not forget to mention the sky under blue, and what's new. A silver grey, before the sun clouds so vast, must weigh many a ton. Then early rays of bright plead for new light. Now great sun of shine break up the clouds, with a natural show that should make nature proud!
© 2010 Ronald Chamberlain
Patricia L. Harris-Cook:
"The Day I Got Out the Pen”
‘Released; No longer a Convict’
Released - No longer a Convict
No longer a Convict
Truly off the line
My heart was fine
My life a bit unwound
A little spooky, But yet, not really goofy
Smooth as the clouds of heaven – not flakey
Stomach fell a little shaky
Looked at my momma –
Hair completely gray
Even if the Clairol got in the way
Looked at Dad – somewhat sad – yet OK
Smiled with despair
With plenty to be said – Would not dare
No - Want even start that flare.
Family, Friends, and loved ones were there
With dinner fixed for me –
The King - of the affair
A grand party flair - I do declare
Yes, the prodigal ex-con released son
Fell some gloominess - but a new bond
I looked to the skies –
From whence my Father’s help
Promoted me from
Keeping me from getting left
Giving me strength and pep -
Not to give up hope – Nope - Nope
Life might be a trip
But with Him, can stand the dip
Praying not to slip
No longer a Convict – hip - hip
I’ve learned the hard way;
Obey your parent’s demands
And, the other nine commands
Cause if you break one . . .
Can turn into years, in the slammer, my son.
No longer a Convict – gone beyond
Now, must begin again . . .
Gonna start a new trend
And blend
Hello yaw! Listen up!
I’m glad to be home – my own hut
Gonna get my official ID – with luck
Not issued to ex-cons out there – I swear
Bad bomb and rough stuff - Beware.
After ID is done -
Will be my first home run.
No longer a Convict – released finally
Pray no more conflict – indeed timely
Keep yourself clean – young men
Don’t waste your time in crime
Let the drugs go,
Pull up your pants too – No go
Get ready for a new flow
No longer a Convict –
Downward pants in the pen . . .
Is a fend –
Pull em up Bro - pull em up - to low!
Ho! Ho!
Praise God - I am on the homestead
Believe me – Freedom is ahead
They’ll never catch me again
No Fed spaces will I be in.
No longer a Convict – is the new trend.
The case is dead
Hotel/Motel only place
- I’ll ever lay my head
Sorry - to all those I hurt
This is my alert –
I am ready to assert!
Love-Joy-Peace
Patience-Kindness-Goodness
Faithfulness - Gentleness,
And Self Control
Are truly my new armor patrol
Let it be told
I am ready and willing
To unfold those fruit gifts -
A man’s Soul - total uplift–
Whether hot or cold . . . get my drift!
I may be labeled a con, for life –
Willing to fight for new strife
Spirit renewed in Christ
And everything is really very nice.
Copyright © 2009
Author/Lyric-Writer:
Patricia L. Harris-Cook
POB 173
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0173
(405) 921-1588
Damian Haynes:
Shells are beautiful
Makes you wonder what they are
They should be laid back
A Haiku by Damian Haynes
Victoria L. Hicks:
Where Are The Clouds Today?
I wrote this poem at work today. I was supposed to be working but the blue sky called me away from the chaos of my day. Where are the clouds today? The sky is so blue and clear?
Did they decide to leave us and visit another town?
Why is the sky so blue? What makes it blue?
Where does the blue stop?
Can we follow the blue sky until it ends?
What happens when it ends? Where would we end up? Could we possibly follow it to the end? I think that would be fun!
Following the clouds is quite an adventure for a spring day, April 2005.Why is the ocean blue? Where do the ocean end and the sea begin?
Or where do the sea end and the ocean begin?
Where does a river start? Where does it end?
How do you know when the river water changes to ocean water? Or sea water?
Can you see it? When does the water change from muddy to green to Ocean blue, Sea green and to Aqua?
Why is the river not blue? Have you ever seen it transform? What would it feel like to change like the river water? Would it hurt? Does it tickle? Is it intense and powerful? Does the river water fight the change? Does it scream or is it a quiet and peaceful submission.
What is it about blue?
What is it about change?
What about the clouds?
What about the sky?
What about the rivers, the Ocean, the Sea?
These are questions that are pondering my thoughts today. They are tickling my spirit, my emotions, my senses, my being. I don't know why but it makes me want to be as free as the clouds. They go and come as they please. To be as vast as the sky... never ending......NO limits. To flow freely, to feel the tickle of a river gracefully transforming into the vastness of the sea into the ocean and to follow the clouds in the blue sky wherever there maybe today. These are my thoughts as I sit and look out the window at work today. Yes, I am supposed to be working but the clear blue sky distracted me from the chaos of my day. Where are the clouds, today?
© 2005 Victoria L. Hicks
Elysia Hinkle:
LIVE LIFE BIG
You have a purpose
Stop living in lack
Start giving to God
So he can give something back
Break out of your zone
Step out in faith
Give God a chance
To show you he’s great
Start giving
Start getting
Start living life BIG
Start giving
Start getting
Live your life BIG
© 2009 Elysia Hinkle
Nicole Jocleen
Have I been changed?
You went to church and chose to become saved.
You left wondering to yourself...have I been changed?
At that moment you felt you had a new outlook on life.
But next weekend you were back in the club life.
So you thought to yourself maybe it's impossible for me.
You talked to the preacher and he said just keep coming.
You told him you would and you kept your word.
You began to believe the words you heard.
You received a call from one of your old friends.
He said I haven't seen you in awhile where have you been?
I know when I say this it may sound like a lie
But you haven't seen me because church is taking up all my time.
He said ok I believe you.
But does this mean that I can never see you?
You said no that's not the case at all.
You should stop by sometime; but don't forget to call.
He laughed and said I will be by later on tonight.
He told you to be prepared because tonight is the night.
You said ok and wondered now what.
You had no intentioin of getting caught in a rut.
You called him right back and said never mind.
I don't know what I was thinking when I invited you this time.
You see I'm a different girl than I knew before.
I'm on something different you see I'm trying to restore.
The next day you went to church like all the Sunday's before.
You witnessed a young girl give her life to Christ because she needed something more.
As she walked back to her seat you stopped her in the isle.
You said you're such a pretty girl why don't you smile.
She said I am happy but you see I feel strange.
You told her I know what your thinking and yes you've been changed
© 2010 Nicole Jocleen .
Yvette Johnson:
God has great plans for me
Plans that the mind of a simple man cannot see
And yet..He stands and pass judgment on me
He has no idea of the things that I have done
Nor the many mountains I’ve had to overcome
He has no clue of the things that I can do
Isn’t it amazing how people can judge you?
You see… I was born into royalty
A member of God’s great dynasty
Living my life as He purposely planned
Knowing my future lies in His hands
So as I face this world against all odds
My faith and strength remains in God
For I work to fulfill His prophecy
Of being all that He has designed me to be
Yes…God has great plans for me
Plans that the mind of a simple man just cannot see
On the Rise
From the top of my head
To the tip of my big toe
There’s so much more to me
Than you shall ever know
Tall or short
No matter my size
For I am a woman
Determined
And on the rise
You see..
I was crafted by the Master’s hand
And I’m living my life purposely just as He planned
Birthed into royalty
Created with no deficiencies
Equipped with the wisdom to fulfill the prophecy
And that would be
For me to be
All that He designed of me
He fills my mind with ideas and creativity
Which increases the possibilities
That broadens my opportunities
Which enlarges my territory
That furthers my destiny
Proving simply…
That there is no limit to my abilities.
So from the top of my head
To the tip of my big toe
And for all the things
That you think you might know
I am a woman
Determined
And on the rise
Don’t look at me
And act surprised
For my strength lies in the palm of His hands
He carries my future; He writes my life plans
And it is because of this that I can do all that I can
So…
From the top of my head
To the tip of my big toe
And for all the things you think you wanna know
Come closer and look into the depth of my eyes
And you shall find
A woman
Determined
And on the rise.
Yvette Johnson
The Tilted Tea Cup – All Things Inspired
2010
Leonard Jones
In the Midst of the Morning
In the midst of the morning….
You are there….
In the break of daylight….
You embrace my soul….
In the deepest of night….
You comfort my heart….
Oh yes, my Lord….
You are there….
Your love is there to warm my doubt….
Your strength is there to help me
endure….
Your wonderful word is there….
so I may see the light….
You gave the world….
the gift of salvation….
so I may walk….
In the midst of the morning with thee.
Leonard Jones
©1999
JRICH:
Secret Sorrows
You suffer in silence with depression no one knows.
Trying hard not to admit that so many things are wrong.
Don't want the people you love to know that you're not strong
Thoughts of suicide run through your head
But what good would that do to end up dead?
My heart is breaking, I'm lonely and sad
Trying to live up to the standard that all others had
To be good, to be great, to be pretty, to be smart
Being all these things were tearing me apart
Looking for a way out, trying to pull myself up
Doctors and pills even peeing in the cup
Talking to strangers with pen and pad in hand
Not even a clue of what say or to do
The sands of the hour glass says we are through
I think back to what my granny would say
Dr. Jesus is the answer and the way
So, on my knees I begin to worship and pray
Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4, 4:7
From: Spoken Out Loud By JRICH
© 2008 by J .Rich / Published by On the Ball Publishing
405-831-0767
Kristen Lee:
Survival of the Widow
A
widow at thirty-five, how can I survive?
This must be a terrible dream.
I
didn’t contract for a solo act, I started this journey on a team.
It
was seven years and seven days to the exact date that we were wed,
Then
ten long days and nine nights in ICU and the marriage covenant was dead.
Single
parenthood, left all alone to raise three little babes,
One
in diapers, one in pull-ups, two, three and six were their ages.
Saved, sanctified, living a holy life, baptized in
Jesus name
Makes
the trauma and devastation by far no less when death is in the game.
Together
we had two BA’s, a BS, an MBA and a medical degree,
No
doubt, some would say a power couple along the lines of Cosby.
Our
future together so shining and bright, even our kids needed shades.
But
one fatal diagnosis and several bad reports melted all our dreams away.
The
day the marriage died, words I never visualized I would ever in a million years
hear,
However
when they were uttered, my heart ached with pain and my eyes welled up with
tears.
A
new path, a new journey, a new excursion I was so, so unwilling to take,
But
you know how the Lord is, you know what He says, His will you can not shake.
How
do I survive, how do I make it now on this journey alone?
By
bowing my head and bending my knee as I swiftly hasten to His throne.
It
is there I confess and there I explain all the things of which I am quite
scared,
It
is there He comforts and there He assures He’s put no more, I can bare.
The
pressure’s too great, the stakes too high, the stress so much I will bust!
Relax
your mind, and silence your fears
In
Me, only should you trust.
Raising
kids is hard enough and to do it alone is definitely more than a notion,
Take
your situation and my word, the balm of Gilead, and smooth it on just like a
lotion.
Boy
scout camp outs, singing recitals and one constantly on my poor knee,
Peacefully
I am reminded I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
What
about the future, what about the bills, from my heart to the throne I do chime,
Slow
your roll, calm down my child, just take one day at a time.
Don’t
borrow tomorrow’s troubles, no matter how tempting, endeavoring to solve them
all today,
Just
dwell in my presence, the secret place; it is there you must always stay.
Someone
may ask you, how does she make it? What
keeps her from breaking all the way down?
Tell
them don’t be fooled, she’s really not alone, God is always around.
So
when life is hectic and schedules are crazy and nothing turns out like it
should,
I remember who’s in charge and I remember God’s word
All
things work together for good.
© 2010 Kristen Lee
Ronald Oliphant:
The Night My Flower Died
My flower used to sit by the window each and every day.
A gentle breeze would kiss her petals
and the sun would caress her with his rays.
Sometimes, raindrops would touch her blossom
and drip slowly down her stem.
I would be lying, if I were to say
I wasn't jealous of them.
I refused to give my flower attention.
I faked a hardened heart.
her lovers, the sun, the rain, and breeze
were tearing us apart.
My flower started to hang her head.
I thought she was feeling ashamed.
I thought she could see my broken heart
and knew she was to blame.
Her leaves began to wither,
but I was too bitter to see.
That she was dying from a lack of love
that could only be given by me.
One day when I came home from work,
I found her on the floor.
She died from grief, she wrote a note
"It was always you I adored"
© 1994 Ronald Oliphant
William E. Patterson:
War, Politics and Hope
Late one eve as I feverishly paced thru the channels of this
world’s electronic eye
The remote control fastened to my hand befell
Unto tales of war and unrest
Images of charred flesh and crushed bones rose
These lost dreams into eternity’s nest
Mental anguish kindled my soul as this atrocity
Dropped rain which God does cry
Mother wails over her child sacrificed in
Soldier’s death by an explosive mortar shell
Blood smeared face of a Palestinian boy
Toting a rifle like a sad clown caught in a bad joke
Handless limbs of a Zulu girl in the Congo points upward
to exclaim victim louder than she spoke
While leaders vie over power and Earth’s resources to sell
their nation’s soul only to bring us closer to hell
Whether Senate, Parliament or Republic
All are the abode of human flaws to be unfold
Legislation ruled by propaganda and favors coerce
multitude of good souls to deceive and conform
Yet I watched as snowflakes trickled into bleak streets of
Baghdad to become a lull in a human storm
And for once the wave of innocence and play did dance
upon the faces of the both young and old
© 2008 William E. Patterson
Kim Robinson:
Ancestors
Life does not start at conception or birth
A soul takes milleniums to create
To raise and nourish future generations of worth
Ancestors who bore fruit, come back to relate
Leaving shared beliefs and astral dreams
Memories and professions passed on with bites of recipes
Cuisine perfected through time with spices of personalities
herbs of love, marinades of meetings
baste in other’s life experiences
A sculptor preserves a person with clay
A photographer immortalizes a face a physique
A producer creates a movie to tell a history
An artist paints a likeness of a profile or day
To get to tomorrow, you have to have yesterdays
Their stories should be told. It is what they deserve
To be passed on to children to come
I write to preserve
© 2007 Kim Robinson
They Live On
Life does not start at conception or birth
A soul takes millenniums to create
To raise and nourish future generations of worth
Ancestors who bore fruit, come back to relate
Leaving shared beliefs and astral dreams
Memories and professions passed on with bites of recipes
Cuisine perfected through time with spices of personalities
herbs of love, marinades of meetings
baste in other’s life experiences
A sculptor preserves a person with clay
A photographer immortalizes a face a physique
A producer creates a movie to tell a history
An artist paints a likeness of a profile or day
To get to tomorrow, you have to have yesterdays
Their stories should be told. It is what they deserve.
To be passed on to children to come
I write to preserve
© Kim Robinson
© 2008-2011 Made By Me Publications, Inc.
