A Writer and a Fighter

By Paula Denise Johnson

A Writer and A Fighter by Paula Denise Johnson is a collection of poems that pierce the heart and cause reflection and self evaluation. The writer pours out her soul throughout the pages of this book, deftly handling issues from abortion and baby momma drama to love for God and fufilling ones purpose. Her work speaks of experience from the school of hard knocks, yet is inspiring rather than bitter. This work of art is a portrait of resilience. With some of the same compassion, strength and sadness as poet, Maya Angelou, Johnsons writing leaps
from the pages and caresses readers hearts and moves one to tears. Her readers are sure to appreciate her sincerity and determination. Anyone who has ever struggled in life will find something that resonates within their spirit. Johnson gives readers a glimpse of her inner psyche as she demonstrates unequivocally her true calling. Furthermore, through her own journey of self-discovery, she encourages readers to find their true selves and fulfill their own calling. What Mary J. Blige is to music, Paula Denise Johnson is to poetry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475933352

Paula Denise Johnson

PAULA DENISE JOHNSON, currently self-employed, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elmhurst College. She has previously published two other books, Poetry is More Than Just a Poem and Journey of Discovery. Johnson is currently working on her autobiography and a number of projects. She and her husband, Hyder, have two children and live in Chicago, Illinois.

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Copyright © 2012 by Paula Denise Johnson.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-3334-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-3335-2 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012911167

iUniverse rev. date: 06/21/2012

Contents

The Fight

Can’t Stop

I’m Ok

My Only Wish

All I Have

The Worst Pain

Lived and Learned

I Said I Wouldn’t Cry

Poet Gemini

Too Busy

Six Sometimes Five Letter Word

The One

Power of Poetry

My Flow

Silence Kills

Gift Obedience

For Mom and Dad

My Right

Not Made of Glass

Hidden Scars

No Friend of Mine

Poet & Player

Words

Victim/Survivor

Blame Yourself

Can’t Save Everyone

Gift

Diary

Gemini Lover

Box

Paula’s a Poet

Still Proud?

Niger

Services No Longer Needed

Life Book

Daddy, Maybe?

Mighty Pen

Tears Are Salty

The Annihilator

People Stare

Life

Last One

My Hero is Gone

I’ve Lost You

Paranoid?

Dying

Mine Was Taken

Men Working

Doctor’s Visit

Fake Arrogance

Your Fault

Tomorrow Morning

After 9/11

Skin

Better

Can’t be Ignored

Divided

His Cry

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Don’t Understand

Standing in My Way

The Child Suffers

Didn’t Mean To

Baby’s Momma or Mother

Birthmark

Purpose

Can’t Imagine

Me

For My Eyes Only

What is Your Story?

Change Has Come

Mandela!

My Focus

December/January

7

Work in Progress

Made Pregnant

I’ve Come Too Far

End

I Fell

Can U B The 1

History

The Other Woman

This is Your Poem

I Sleep Alone

Don’t You Fall

Him Only

Love Hurt Me

I Don’t Know You

I Lie

Love Crazy

Men Cry

Don’t Explain

Not Love

For the Record

Don’t Know

Don’t Lose Yourself

Show Me

Love Is Not Blind

Learned Behavior

It Just Flows

He Walked Away

It Was You

Conflicted

I Ain’t Forgiving

Not Sorry

You Could’ve Told Me

I’m Tired

He’s With Me

Heart Replaced By Hurt

Never Apologized

Affection

Nine Months

Self-Love First

God Made Me

Bleeding Heart

I Walked Away

Not Coming Back

Stupid for Staying

Stand Your Ground

They Should’ve Listened

Continue to Fight

   I fight for the right to write whatever I like.

                  -PDJ

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

I would like to thank God for blessing me with this gift of writing and for always keeping His promises. Thanks to my parents for encouraging me to be the best at whatever I do. I would like to thank my entire family for their consistent love and support. I would especially like to thank my dear sister and brother, Linda and Steven Baldwin for always being there when I need them. You’ve shown me what a real fighter is. A special thanks to my husband and best friend for his support and to my most precious gifts, my two boys. Mommy loves you and I thank you for choosing me to be your mommy! I could not have asked for better children. A VERY SPECIAL thanks to Sandra Bankston for her friendship, time and dedication to this project. Thanks for your input. Your kind words and encouragement are always appreciated.

The Fight

Sometimes I choose

to walk away from a fight,

but there is one fight

I can’t walk away from—

It’s the fight of my life.

Fighting to write

whatever I like.

The First Amendment cuts me off

before I finish so I need another out—

let me speak my mind at all times, please.

I write because it gives me

the freedom to speak my thoughts.

Some people think it,

but don’t speak it.

I will never stop writing.

Even if some don’t like what I say,

I must continue to write.

This is my life.

I write to live.

I’m a writer

and fighter.

This is one of the reasons

I can appreciate the sport of boxing.

I’m fond of great fighters.

Ali being my favorite—

Both Muhammad and Laila.

Deep down inside

of me there is a fighter.

Every time I write,

I fight.

Ali with gloves

and I with pens.

Can’t Stop

Poetry chose me,

nominating me

the poetic diva of my time.

Thank you for choosing me

to come through.

This is a strange thing,

yet powerful because

the pen I write with refuses

to run out of ink.

Poetry is the song

I sing.

Every lyric,

I write.

I love songs

that tell a story.

Poetry tells

my story.

I can’t stop!

The pen won’t

let me.

I can’t stop

fighting

and I can’t stop

writing!

Poetry won’t

let me!

When I try

to get a few minutes of sleep,

I sometimes write in my sleep.

Writing some of my best

poetry in my dreams,

I awake to words

printed on my face,

hand and body.

This thing

has completely

taken over my life.

If one day

this pen decides

to run out of ink,

even then,

I won’t stop.

I write to keep my sanity,

fighting every single day

just to stay

above ground.

I just love

when my writing flow

begins

because once it starts,

it doesn’t

end.

I can’t sleep

at all.

I can’t even

be

a sabbatical taker

because

the flow

consumes me.

I can’t

control it

because it

has taken

control of me.

Poetry