Past the Prophecy: Reaching Profound Ground

By Anthony (T.J.) Watkins

Past The Prophecy: Reaching Profound Ground is an intimate collection of poems chronicling the path and experiences of Anthony (T.J.) Watkins as he grows from a boy into a man. Each poem serves as the ingredients to what many have called "soul food for the spirit". Past The Prophecy will inspire you, incite you, engage you, and guide you down this spiritual highway allowing you to witness PROFOUND GROUND!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312351004

Book preview

Past the Prophecy: Reaching Profound Ground

Copyright © 2014 by Anthony (T.J.) Watkins

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-304-76531-4

Cover Photo and Design by Anthony (T.J.) Watkins

Printed In The United States of America

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in review.

Published by Lulu Press, Inc.

3101 Hillsborough St.

Raleigh, NC 27607

www.lulu.com

Past The Prophecy:

Reaching Profound Ground

by

Anthony (T.J.) Watkins

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my beautiful wife Melanie and my pride and joy, my son Carter and my daughter Gabrielle.  I thank God every day that I have you in my life.  I hope this book creates a legacy for our family and something you can all be proud of.

To Aniya Simone Watkins, my first born that is no longer with us; I hope you are smiling in heaven and proud of your father.  You inspired and supported me through every keystroke and kept reminding me that this time on Earth is precious and that our dreams never die.

Foreword By Michael Smith

From birth, Anthony (T.J.) Watkins Jr. has been growing.  Born into a family of five, he was raised in a family of four. His mother, a model of determination and bravery, taught her daughters and son what is possible in life. She showed them that where you are born, is merely where you begin your journey, and that every experience along the way serves to mark and alter your path.  Anthony, the headstrong youth learned self-assurance. 

He didn’t need anyone, except his family. When his mother remarried, his path took a turn.  He was introduced to a man who loved his mother, her teen daughters, and her adolescent son. Though Anthony had no interest in having another man in the family, he taught Anthony. The impetuous youth learned patience, humility, acceptance, and how to be a man.

At Tennessee Technological University, Anthony was exposed to a range of personalities that he didn’t know existed.  A few of these acquaintances became lifelong friends who Anthony, could call on at any time with any need.  These were people that Anthony let into his life. No matter the miles, he knew they would be there.  The young adult learned trust.

While at the university, Anthony met a young lady. Born in another country, and raised in a different state, they were from simultaneously different and like worlds.  Their friendship, developed into a romance, and evolved into a marriage.  Through ups and downs, differences of opinions, and periods marked with tragedy most would not survive, they persevered.  The adult learned love.

With the birth of his children, Anthony entered a new phase of his journey. Finding a