Natural Expressions: ''Up Close and Personal''

By Andrea J. Parham-Shannon

Natural Expressions "Up Close and Personal" was created from the testimonies, trials, tribulations, praise reports and just plain old everyday life of yours truly, family and friends. The entire collection of Natural Expressions was inspired spiritually with great passion to minister to all ages, sex, race and experiences from all walks of life. "Pickett Fences" was birthed to inspire and encourage that all things are possible to those that believe and trust in the power of "GOD". If just one poem here would uplift and touch the heart of just one, than my writings are not in vain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 2, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462833528

Andrea J. Parham-Shannon

Oh, when I look back and see how God has blessed me. My soul cries out HALLALUJAH. A project in the making for years Natural Expressions to God be the Glory. I was born to John and Jessie Parham, the third child of five, raised and educated in the Washington, DC area. Born in the 50s, raised in the 60s, experimented in the 70s, matured in the 80s, spiritual rebirth in the 90s and the rest is and has been already ordained by God. Some say I have a fairytale imagination but, I truly believe that Pickett Fences are real. I started writing poetry while in high school but never thought anyone was interested in what I wrote. Years later and after sharing my poems with family, co-workers, friends and witnessing how they were being blessed, is when I first realized Gods amazing gift to me. I have always had great passion for educating our youth and the major concerns they face today are what birthed Girls Gone Crazy, Young Man, and God, Baby and Me. My biggest and #1 inspiration is Christ Jesus. Next is my husband Rudolph, son Vernon, daughters Cherice and April, grandkids Jonathan, Jessica and Janae. They are the ones that will keep me laughing and always giving me something to write about along with the help from the many students that I encounter on a daily basis on the campus of Howard University. My daily prayer for myself is that God will continue to keep me, bless me and to keep my soul tuned to His instructions and that I be obedient to those instructions. I pray that if only one of my poems bless you that my writings are not in vain. Peace, Love and Blessings A.J. Parham-Shannon

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Copyright © 2009 by Andrea J. Parham-Shannon.

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Up Close Pickett Fences

DOWN SOUTH SUMMERS

JOB WELL DONE

PICKETT FENCES

WHITE HOUSE COFFEE

THANK GOD FOR GRANDPARENTS

LOOK IN A MIRROR

ACT LIKE YOU KNOW

BAGGAGE

THE SAME OLD—SAME OLD

CLASSROOM

MUST BE A MONEY TREE

WHAT’S HAPPENED TO US?

B  R  O  K  E  N

WHEN SIN COMES HOME

YOU WATCHIN ME?

KEEPER OF THE DOOR

PAID IN FULL

Up Close Girls Gone Crazy

THE WEDDING

NEW-BIAN QUEEN

GIRLS GONE CRAZY

GOD, BABY AND ME

A MOTHER’S LOVE

MOTHERHOOD

MY MOTHER MY FRIEND

SOLO MOM

SISTA LUV

TRUE SISTER’S IN CHRIST

MY SISTER, MY FRIEND

STRETCH MARKS

Up Close Pain At The Door

JUST A DELAY

PAIN AT THE DOOR

WHO IS THIS STRONG MAN?

Up Close Lord Hear My Request Please Bless

THANK YOU

HELP ME LORD

LORD Hear My Request Please Bless

A TEACHER’S PRAYER

Up Close Young Man

OLD SCHOOL PLAYA

MY BROTHER MY FRIEND

YOUNG MAN

DAD

MY SON MY FRIEND

FATHER

MY BROTHER, MY FRIEND

MY FATHER MY FRIEND

Personal Family

OUR FOUNDATION

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY

A MOTHER’S LOVE

FAMILY

OL’ ST. STEPHEN WHEN I THINK BACK

PUNKY HEAD

KAH-KAH BUG

PIGGY POOH

MY WEB

MY TRUE FRIEND

DEAR DOTTIE

MARTHA SO BLESSED

EFFIE’S HEART

MISS GLADYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Personal Angel Wings

GIVE ME FLOWERS NOW

FLORIST OF THE BEST

CONNECTED BY HEARTS

ANGEL WINGS

LADY DAY

I’M HAPPY

GRACEFUL LADY

MOMMA MARY

SISTER LEO

Dedication

To my children Cherice, April, Vernon and Grandchildren Jonathan, Jessica and Janae for being the main source of my most precious and wildest inspirations to write. You are my most precious jewels from Heaven and I’ll treasure you forever.

To my mother Miss Jessie thanks for giving birth to me. Thanks for the love and support you’ve always given to our family. The love you taught me has made it possible for me to encourage and inspire others through poetry. May God continue to keep and bless you always.

To my dear and true friends 4 ever, Janice and Darlene. Thank you for the love, support and fun that you’ve shared with my family throughout the many years. We’ve grown from middle school girls into sassy independent ladies and I’ll always cherish your friendship and may God continue to bless you and your families in all that you do.

To you all, thanks for being there.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge my entire family, co-workers and wonderful friends. T. Grey (WHUR RADIO) for airing my poetry and writers/poets such as J. Walker and E.E. Miller of Howard University for their support and honesty. A very special thanks to G. Bright-Abu for your expertise, willing support and patience. Thanks for