Journey: A Collection of Heartfelt Poems Written by Gail Tennyson Hicks

By Gail Tennyson Hicks

POETRY WITHOUT A NET

Journey is a book for anyone who wants to experience poetry in plain Englishno dictionary, thesaurus, or Shakespearean net required. Through the powerful inspiration of the spoken word, Gail Tennyson Hicks shares the most meaningful moments and thoughts from her life, addressing love, family, sensuality, relationships, faith, and self-esteem. Her poems are beautifully written stories and expressions of honesty and hope that speak to the heart and touch the soul.

The following is an excerpt from the poem, Yellow Rose, which describes in vivid detail a grandmothers loving reaction
to her new grandson:

Cradled in
his grandmothers arms
the baby slept
calmed by her voice
soothed by her touch
secured by her love

As she held
her first grandson
her mind slipped
into the past
remembering when
she once held
her own son,
who looked
just like this one..."

This book was a twenty-year, emotionally purging experience for me, says Gail, a native of San Francisco. My hope is that after reading about my journeys, people will be encouraged to make the most of their own. This is Gails debut book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 9, 2005
• ISBN: 9781465326720

Gail Tennyson Hicks

Gail Tennyson Hicks was born and raised in San Francisco. The youngest of nine, her love of writing began as a youth writing short stories, and blossomed in high school when she became editor of the school newspaper. Journaling led Gail to use poetry as a way to express her thoughts, feelings, and experiences. She has received numerous poetry awards and recognitions, and continues to hone her craft by attending writing workshops and conferences. Gail resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and youngest son. This is her debut book.

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Copyright © 2005 by Gail Tennyson Hicks.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,

or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing

from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

26157

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1

Dirty Little Secret

The Dark Side of Love

Check Mate

Let Her Go

Love Gives

Move On

Heartache

Guess What?

Self Respect

Left Turn

Promise

My Ebony Dream

More

The Dance

Marriage is Not

A New Beginning

Home

Core

My Dream Come True (Wedding Vows)

MMHB

Chapter 2

Dear Mom . . .

Dear Dad . . .

Parenthood

Dear Daughter . . .

Dear Son . . .

You’ll Come Around (Ode to Teenagers)

Yellow Rose

For The Boys

I Refuse

Julia

Jacqui

Our Angel Karyn

My Father

The Lost Minds

November 22nd

Chapter 3

Black Boy

Beautiful Black Man

The Power of CAN

March On

Racism

My Brotha

My Sista

Who Am I?

See Me

Beneath My Skin

I Will Not Give In

African Queen (for Ndeye)

Chapter 4

God Answers Prayers

Black Hope

Do Not Despair

Sista!

God’s House

Anyway

I Am Woman

It’s Just God

Strength

Beauty

The Key to Success

Chapter 5

I Am

Real

Make Room

My New Friend

Selfish

Don’t Be Afraid of the Fat Girl

Judgment Day

I Will Survive (Tribute to Maya)

Love Yourself

I Am Fine!

Journey

I dedicate this book to my loving parents, George and Margaret,

whose support and encouragement never lacked;

to my darling husband, Bo,

who showed me that dreams do come true;

and to my wonderful sons Little Bo and Royce,

who love me in spite of myself.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When I was a little girl, on Christmas mornings I would stumble into our living room, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep the night before (who sleeps on Christmas Eve?). As I would round the corner into the room, my fatigue would vanish and my eyes would widen at the sight of all my toys under the tree. They sat waiting, assembly complete and any required batteries inserted, ready to play with me. That’s what it was like growing up—there was always something special around the bend. My mother and father created and sustained that magical environment in our family, and the feeling stayed with me through adulthood. I thank them for always being there for me, for reading every story and poem I wrote, and for keeping the praise and encouragement flowing.

To my husband Bo: thank you for holding my hand and calming my fears, for listening and understanding, for making me laugh, and for loving me completely and unconditionally. After years of admiring the successful marriages of other people, our marriage is now admired by many, and that is because of you (and sometimes me, too).

To my sons Little Bo and Royce: thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a mother to you. After seven years, I am still learning and have a long way to go, but with your love and support I will get it right one day! God is still working on me; thank you for your patience.

To Auntie Vivian: thank you for being my surrogate mother-in-law. You welcomed me from the start, and your warmth and wisdom carry me through each day.

Thank you to my sisters Jacqui, Ann, Mary, JoAnn, Marsha, Judy; and my new sisters Cheri, Deb, Margo, and Nunie: you set an example of strength, independence, and womanhood that I try hard to follow.

To my brothers George Jr., Joseph, Mike; and my new brother Chuck: you are an example