Unwavering Echoes: Poems and Stories of a Culture's Longing Legacy

By Augusta Williams, Jr

Anthology of Poems and Short Stories some fiction most are based on true events. Pulitzer Prize Nominee and award winning Writer Augusta Williams Jr. This book features works that are part of the estates of prominent Afro-Americans such as Yolonda King, Dr. Bettye Shabazz and President Barack Obama.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Augusta Williams, Jr
• Release date: Oct 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9780692306277

Augusta Williams, Jr

Pulitzer Prize Nominee Augusta Williams Jr. has been writing enlightening and empowering poetry, short stories, songs, and plays for over forty years; and is also a speechwriter. His writing has touched the lives of many dignitaries, politicians, and popular figures, including Spike Lee. His most acclaimed work is “My Life Was His Dream,” a powerful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He lives in Palm Bay with his wife Patricia and five children.

Book preview

Unwavering Echoes

Poems and Stories of a Culture’s Longing Legacy

Smashwords Edition

Augusta Williams Jr.

Copyright © 2014 Augusta Williams Jr.

ISBN-10: 0692306277

ISBN-13: 978-0-692-30627-7

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author of this book, save for the purpose of review.

Cover Artwork: Ron Kelly (For commissioned paintings: 407-415-2804)

Cover & Interior Design: Mellissa Thomas (Available for hire: mellissathomas.com)

Contents

Lady of Honor

The Centurion: Frederick A. Goddard

The Centurion (Poetic tribute)

Dawn

Freedom Man

Our Native Sons

Red Tails

The Thanksgiving Feast

Unfinished Business

America’s First

A Christmas Story

About the Author

Lady of Honor

October 19, 2012

Whether she walks through the shadows

Or through the light

Thou need not a law nor supervision to do what is right

Her unwritten story needs to be told

Of her unconditional passion, her endless charity,

and her character of gold

That she is a human being we should never lose that sight

But she is trustworthy to be the defender of liberty’s light

Santa Isabel Wright

Like King Arthur’s Noble Knights and

Like Joan of Arc she would never flee from a fight

She uses the leverage of might for right!

Her heart is sweet

And her passions run deep

Though the task before her is steep

It is not an option for her to claim defeat

Her approach to crisis is unique and her stewardship is meek

Of her adversaries it is a misinterpretation and a mistake to define her as weak

H is to maintain a steady hand through hardship and heat

O is to be wise and optimistic to the tough opposition

N is to never betray your constituents nor your integrity

O is to never forget the office that you hold and your constituents are one.

R is the richness of doing the right thing even against all odds.

That is honor and that is true

To Santa Isabel Wright, Lady of Honor is composed for you.

The Centurion: Frederick A. Goddard

To quote the King James Version of the Bible, a man is promised threescore and seven years, which is about 70 years. Anything more is to be considered borrowed time. I have many hobbies that I equally enjoy, but there is one I have a passion for that is equal to none: engaging in the company of elders. They are living national treasures; our village and our country’s most valuable and priceless asset, which brings me to the task at hand – to introduce you to a man named Frederick Alexander Goddard.

Like the Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey, known as Marcus Garvey, Goddard was the head of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which spawned the back to Africa Movement in America in Harlem, New York. Activist Norman Manley and Mr. Goddard played a vital role in creating the People’s National Party (PNP) which was instrumental in leading the country from British rule to independence. In 1940, Mr. Goddard was one of the first employees of the University of the West Indies, located on Lady Musgrave Road, St. Andrew. He worked closely with Sir Philip Sherlock, Vice Chancellor of the University, and his associates Raymond Presley of England and Grandly Adams of Barbados. These men were West Indians who obtained their education in England from such institutions as Oxford University and the University of London.

In 1942, the name of the University evolved from the University of London back to the University of the West Indies under full university status. That title remains to this day.

In 1948, Mr. Goddard was a member of the first YMCA established in the islands, where he established a professional and personal relationship with Arthur Wint, the first Jamaican to win an Olympic Gold medal in 1948 in the 400-meter race while setting a world record. Mr. Wint and Mr. Goddard participated in and coordinated youth activities such as swimming and water polo.

On April 29, 1960, Mr. Goddard was an advisor and personal friend of Jamaica’s first Prime Minister, and knew five: Sir Alexander Bustamante (April 29, 1962 to February 23, 1967), Sir Donald Sangster (February 23, 1967 to April 11, 1967), Hugh Shearer (April 11,1967 to March 2, 1972), Michael Manley (March 2, 1972 to November 1, 1980), and Edward Seaga (November 1, 1980 to February 10, 1989).

Of the five, Mr. Goddard was closest to Michael Manley. In one incident during a speaking engagement, Mr. Goddard protected Mr. Manley with his body from protestors throwing bottles and bricks. It was Mr. Manley who introduced Mr. Goddard to famous world-renowned star Harry Belafonte. During Mr. Belafonte’s layover at Jamaica Airport, Mr. Goddard was the perfect host who provided a protocol only fitting for a diplomat or a king. He also used to conduct intellectual conversations with the late Bob Marley.

Mr. Goddard is now a full citizen of the United States and a resident of Palm Bay, Florida. He is still active in government and social issues. He still finds time to share his politics and experience with anybody of any age that have the compassion to listen to a living historian. He still enjoys swimming, a good game of dominoes, and engaging conversations with anyone.

One of his greatest and passionate achievements is his marriage of 64 years to his wife Daphne, nee Daphne Louise Burton. They have three children: Humphrey, Phillip, and Grace. Mrs. Goddard loves and recites the most beautiful poems that can touch the human soul. I