A New Twist on Old Traditions

By Tierra D. Graves

When was the last time your senses were sparked?
Enjoy this masterful collection of original poems written in eight distinct styles. This lively poetry will awake the beauty of your mind and help you find purpose. Some poems are humorous, intense, and expressive. Others are bold, politically incorrect, and brimming with candor, while many inspire chanting and singing, dancing and swinging, praise and worship. Limerick, Sonnet, Haiku, Pastoral, Odes, Narratives, Acrostics, are all written to create that essential dialogue within.
These poems will stimulate quick smiles, light chatter, and a little laughter here and there. But they will also provoke deep thought, honest reflection and trigger those must-have conversations. Who are you, really? What is your purpose? Do you have a worldview? How is your relationship with God, self, and others? You will experience many moments of truth to ignore or embrace. Discover -- in spite of different times and circumstances, we are really not that different. We all have ups and downs, twists and turns, regrets, grief, happy moments, and of course -- a bit of nostalgia.
Take this amazingly delightful journey with reality penned in poetry. It’s a creative, unique way to build your faith, find yourself, and understand your God-given purpose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Living Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781562293970

Tierra D. Graves

Tierra Danielle Graves was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She studied at the University of the District of Columbia and West Virginia State University before receiving a bachelor’s degree in English from Trinity Washington University. “The Virgin” was her first poem published through a publication company at Trinity Washington University. This publication gave her the confidence to write more poems in hopes of publishing more of her work someday. She writes poetry, short stories, autobiographies, song lyrics, and essays. She also devotes her time to dancing, teaching, and designing. She is an English teacher by day but a poet forever.

Book preview

Like a dancer waiting to step on the right beat of the music

She writes with lyrics unwritten on a page

As the tunes delight her ears

Until she allows others to hear

She writes…

On a plethora of subjects

She writes…

To calm the soul and quicken the mind

To last for a generation and until another time—

Enjoy.

–Rev. Dr. Kimberly O. McManus

Introduction

Poetry is a creative approach in which authors express themselves with a unique technique. There are several styles or types of poetry, but this book will highlight eight of them. Each style is different based on format, rhyme pattern, and subject.

Most poems follow some kind of rule. The eight styles chosen in this book will demonstrate the rules designated for that specific type of poem. I honor the rules for writing poetry and address various topics through Ode, Haiku, Pastoral, Limerick, Acrostic, Narrative, Sonnet and Tribute. Each poem will pay homage to the tradition and showcase creativity through a spiritual lens. Let’s look deeper at these styles.

An Ode is a type of poem that can be sung. It is a lyric poem written to inform the reading of a specific subject and is typically written in irregular meter and aerial in style. A Haiku is a Japanese style of poetry that is written in three lines: five, seven, and five syllables; it does not rhyme. Pastoral poems are based on biblical stories of drama. They contrast between innocence and corruption; deal with the challenges of living a separated lifestyle; see life through a spiritual lens of living a separated lifestyle through a spiritual lens. Limerick is a rude or humorous poem written in five lines: lines one, two, and five rhyme with each other and lines three and four have a different rhyme. Acrostic is a type of poem with letters that create a word, which is noticed vertically. Narrative poems tell stories that are short or long. A Sonnet is a poem written in fourteen lines; it uses a rhyme pattern and has ten syllables for each line. A Tribute is written to show respect and gratitude towards someone special. Tributes are usually written as a free verse and are personal sentiments.

This book is intended to be a teaching tool and lends guidance in writing poetry. However, the ultimate goal is to touch your heart, ignite your senses, and lead you to life’s true purpose in a creative manner. Take a few minutes to digest and honestly reflect on each poem for a life-changing experience.

May you find hope, your God-ordained purpose, and the strength to stand fast in faith, sound doctrine, and the godly traditions you have been taught.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (2