Heir To The Throne: A Collection of Poetry

By Akili Carter, James Hoppner and Colleen Eble

What have you learned about yourself in the last 11 years? Love, work, and money have all drastically changed for me. More importantly both my parents died and my world was rocked. "Heir to The Throne", is a synopsis of my life and the world over this time. How would you define the world even in 2020? This is my 10th collection of poetry and in

• Language: English
• Publisher: akilithewriter publishing
• Release date: Jan 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087937144

Book preview

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©Akili Carter 2020

Copyright Page

©Akili Carter 2020

©Patricia Carter 2020

©Clarence C. Bess 2020

©James Hoppner 2020

©Jennifer Valdez 2020

©Kristen Wojtuniak 2020

©Destiny Hance 2020

©Meridith Armato 2020

©Dee Faulkner 2020

©Cece Davis 2020

©Katherine Rando 2020

©El Poeta Guason, LLC 

Cover Photos ©Sophia Pavlatos

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All deaths are sudden, no matter how gradual the dying may be.

     - Michael McDowell

Remember that people are only guests in your story – the same way you are only a guest in theirs – so make the chapters worth reading.

- Lauren Klarfeld

Master of all trades, jack of none

- Gary Carter

Dedicated to my Father

"My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,

My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,

From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

                         Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

                            But I with mournful tread,

                               Walk the deck my Captain lies,

                                  Fallen cold and dead."

-Walt Whitman

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Dedication

The Bat Lady a.k.a. Patty

The BatJoker gang: Ayanna, Devon, Heaven, Armani

Ten years of books and I’ve had much support: Heather, Mitch, Raymond Earl, Daniela, Colleen, Jenn V., Antouine, Kadian, Kristen Wojo, Racha, Whitelighter, Jess, Randi Beth, Carolyn, Jason and the fam, Griff, the whole Griffin family, Corey, Mo, CeCe, Lindsey, Z, Jillian, Bryn, Elana,The really nice Walsh’s who helped us through a really rough time, Elana and Chris, Joy Edwards and Steve. Inez, the Coopers, Roxy, Dorina, Steph S., Meridith, Destiny, James and Marisa as well as my most darling niece Mya. Mr. Clarence C. Bess the closest thing to a mentor that I have had. Tim Stachecki-Okrah, Jamie Pentzel, Errol, Malcolm, Kwami, and Ronald Jr.  Countless other friends and family whom have helped me along the way and cheered for me.  

To my Uncle Gary Carter and my mother, the two biggest sparks to keep the flame of my writing going. Two of my biggest fans.

My surrogate mothers: Mrs. Robles, Mrs. Boss, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Pentzel, and Mrs. Breslow.

To Sophia who is part of the family thank you for making my wacky vision a reality.

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Preface

This was the first collection of poetry I wrote without my parents here.  Number 10, a milestone and different from the other collections in many ways.  I have written 9 imperfect soul removing books before this gut-wrenching soul removing one.  My father passed away six months ago, and it was one of the most devastating events in my life.  He was the realest superhero I have ever known. 11 years ago, I wrote a book called Words are my weapons of choice. It was a culmination of 8 years of writing.

I was young and opinionated. Now at 42, I’m older and still opinioned. I reached out to Mr. Hoppner to pen the introduction and express how he is heir to his own legacy. He wrote his truth.  I learned many years ago from Mr. Clarence C. Bess, while we were at an open mic and I was performing a couple of his pieces. I told him I was trying to channel my inner Clarence, he told me, be you don’t try to be anyone else. His words have forever resonated with me. I thank you for those simple words that impacted me profoundly.

Mr. Hoppner was able to capture so many of the emotions I have been feeling since my mother passed and even more since my father passed away. There’s no easy way to take the crown or procure the throne. Thus we learn along the way.

By Akili Carter

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Introduction

This time of the year,

That cold won’t ever feel the same. The colors around me.

Reminding me of