You Live And You Learn: Through all the love and hate, I was able to dream, write, and create

By Stefani L Johnson

The freeform story-poems in this book were inspired by a whole array of things that happened in Stefani Johnson's life-her good decisions, bad decisions, life lessons, karma, blessings, experiences she learned from, and what she would tell someone she loves to learn from or stay away from.

No one is perfect. We all have differ

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: May 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638371359

Stefani L Johnson

Stefani Johnson has always loved poetry, so she decided to write a collection of short stories in the style of freeform poems, about herself, her life situations, her mistakes, her life lessons, thoughts, and dreams. This past year has had a huge effect on who she is, and how she's grown as a person. She has seen so many people in her life with beautiful talents and God-given gifts who did nothing with them. This book was inspired by an episode of A Bronx Tale, when C's father tells him, "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent. You could have all the talent in the world, but if you don't do the right thing, nothing happens. But when you do it right, guess what? Good things happen." That hit her hard, and she took it as a sign to do right by her own talent.

Book preview

Speak up. Take action on your life. Be true to your word through all you’ve been through. You will be seen. You will be heard. Maybe there will be those who are willing to stop, listen, and learn. There’s always gonna be that one message that clicks. It will turn that wheel in your brain going forward in your journey. It sticks.

She loves to dance in the rain, skip through the puddles. She forgets her pain. She loves to hear the thunder roar. It helps her sleep through the night. She’s a mysterious being. Her soul shines and reflects from pure light.

She longs to be in nature, be one with the earth. Her soul seeks so much peace. She loves it because she felt it first.

I love the wind. It blows crazy fierce, like a knife without a cut, a blade without a pierce. It blows through my hair. I feel it all over my body. I’d love to see or touch it. It makes me feel utterly folly.

You and I, or is it me and you? Where do I start? Do you even have a clue? The foundation, the centerpiece the glue—what really keeps us together? Thinking of starting over and trying to master the weather.

You were never there when I needed you most—all the important areas and events in my life. You were ghost. Oh, but I tried to forgive you for everything you did. You left me out in the cold, nowhere to live. How could you? I was just a kid. Working three jobs, paying you rent—so weak could barely catch a ride to work from you, but you made sure you took my check every week.

How do you really view me as your child? I think if you would have cared a little more, maybe I wouldn’t have run wild. I’m not surprised ironically; I am the middle child. One day, one way, you pop up when you want. I guess it’s best you’re consistent in your ways; you can’t put on a front. You never made my life easier or guided me on how to live my life. Look at me now—I’m a mother and