All Lives Matter

By Marvina Sims

All Lives Matter is a compilation of various lifestyle situations expressed via poetry. Some poems are derived from Marvina’s personal experiences. While some are inspired by others’ private issues—locally and globally. Every living entity serves an earthly purpose regardless of race, color, ethnicity, breed, religion, temporar

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lettra Press LLC
• Release date: Jul 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645520849

Marvina Sims

Marvina Sims is passionate about reading, writing and researching. As a result, her college majors were English and Library, and a minor in creative writing. During her service at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board as an Equal Opportunity Specialist her position as editor and publisher of the quarterly newsletter, OEO Times, is what catapulted her into pursuing a career in writing. Her personal experiences as a victim of abuse, along with her desire to help other victims, and perpetrators in abusive situations is what inspired her to become a certified Domestic Violence Advocate and an intervention specialist in the Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP). Marvina has also acted in various live stage performances, movies, and web series. In her youth, she was shy yet empathetic. Finding it challenging to verbally express her deeply felt emotions she journaled. Today, though no longer shy, her empathy is amplified. As a result, impactful events and emotionally touching moments are expressed via poetry, prose, short stories, and creative non-fiction. In 2013, Marvina began an organization called WEWIN-Women Empower Women in Need (www.wewinqueendom.org, http://wewin4all.weebly.com, https://www.facebook.com/2LOVEWEWIN/). Her goal is to help empower women and many others who are less fortunate and in need. Prior to Marvina's birth, her mom, Annie Mae Jones (Ann), attempted homicide and suicide on several occasions. A struggling single mom with three kids, and living within one of Chicago's poorest and dangerous neighborhoods added more stress to Ann's already inundated life. After Marvina is born her mom notices something is physically wrong, but doctors do not detect any problems. Years later Marvina is diagnosed with a debilitating bone disease, which causes her to endure countless fractures, numerous surgeries, and months of hospital stays. But Marvina still manages to get caught up in what many others are doing-drugs, drinking, gambling and indulging in sexual activities prior to legal age. Despite Marvina's tumultuous life, her biggest fear was remaining entangled in the vicious cycle of generational poverty, crime, and substance addiction. For this reason, Marvina was determined to do what was necessary to avoid becoming a statistic. Brittle Never Broken is definitely not your typical rags to riches memoir. In this case "riches" refers to Marvina's ability to remain self-motivated despite relentless afflictions, turmoil, and heartaches. Marvin's bones may be brittle but nothing or no one can break her awesome spirit!

Book preview

All Lives Matter

This book is written to provide information and motivation to readers. Its purpose is not to render any type of psychological, legal, or professional advice of any kind. The content is the sole opinion and expression of the author, and not necessarily that of the publisher.

Copyright © 2019 by Marvina Sims

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any form by any means, including, but not limited to, recording, photocopying, or taking screenshots of parts of the book, without prior written permission from the author or the publisher. Brief quotations for noncommercial purposes, such as book reviews, permitted by Fair Use of the U.S. Copyright Law, are allowed without written permissions, as long as such quotations do not cause damage to the book’s commercial value. For permissions, write to the publisher, whose address is stated below.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-64552-083-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64552-084-9 (Digital)

Lettra Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

Lettra Press LLC

18229 E 52nd Ave.

Denver City, CO 80249

1 303 586 1431 | [e-mail]

www.lettrapress.com

Contents

Just Like Me

These Round Legs

Profound Teachers

Primary Woman

Inner Small Voice

Tearlessly Cry

Substance’s Pet

Unhalting the Past

Spree

Confirmed Fate

A Whole in One

Common Women

Damaged Goods

Deemed Deity

Domestic Evils

Emotional Suicide

Hardest Shot

I Long to See

If Every Man

Ignorance Has No Age

Genuine Love

Less Than, Greater Than, Equal To

Grasping at Air

More Than That to Me

Snatched

My Earthly Boy

Daily Miracles

My Sanity

No Earthly Good

No Regrets

Noose Around the Neck

One-Fourth Human

Out Loud

Powerful Fruit

Quite Mundane

Re-Lift Me

Roused Emotions

Mirrored Image

Permanently

Thin Is In

Extremely Torn

Godly Before the Name

Loves in My Life

Truth

Press On

Peeking Reflection

Dangling

Hypocritical

Typical Day or Naw?

Kiss My Aspirations

Just Like Me

Each face I see looks just like me:

Homeless queen, toting bags,

Seeking meals, searching trash.

Some sympathize, feeling sad.

Others point, mock, and laugh,

Thinking, That’s the worst life I never wanna have.

Each face I see looks just like me:

Pillows made of asphalt and concrete.

Despite my daily begs and pleas

For you to give me your metal monies,

Just walk on by, as I’m invisible to thee.

Each face I see looks just like me:

Extremely narrow in physique,

Two sunken, bony cheeks;

Never ceasing to believe

Just one more hit is all I need.

Each face I see looks just like me:

Handcuffed, anticipating release,

Unfeeling that stealing is really robbery,

Since the victims are actually family.

Each face I see looks just like me:

Targeted and berated by angry police,

Placed in a choke