Faith, Family, Fury, and Fanciful Things: A Collection of Poems

By Shirley Nichols

Take a journey through the life and times of Shirley Nichols as she is transparent about lifes situations. Some writings are based on observations made while others are the personal experiences of the poet as she sought after and later found peace and spiritual wholeness. This collection is a combination of lifes difficulties and triumphs told with simplicity, richness, and hearty messages. These poems will pierce the heart and encourage change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9781465330963

Shirley Nichols

Shirley Yvette Nichols wrote poetry as an adolescent and did not resume for over 23 years. She began writing again during the fall of 2008 while participating in an on-line discussion started by a fellow Central State University graduate. She was encouraged by former college friends, including published poet Mekael L. Shane to pursue becoming published. This collection tells Shirley’s story. There are different eras and elements of her life described in poetic form. Shirley hopes to generate an interest amongst other writers and poets who hope to also become published. Shirley was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 20, 1969. She is the only child of Gloria (Spencer) Carroll (deceased) and Thomas Wesley Carroll. Shirley always loved to read and write as a child. However, as she approached high school, programs which nurtured the creative arts began to lose funding. Encouraged by her high school guidance counselor, Gloria Jones, Shirley attended college. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work in 1992 from Central State University. She then attended The Ohio State University whereby she received a master’s degree in social work in 1994. She has worked in the field of social work for over 14 years. Shirley is married to Keith Nichols since 1996. They are the parents of Ms. Kendal Trynese Nichols. Shirley is inspired by her ancestors in poetry as well as those who are unknown at the present time. Everyday life and relationships are her main inspirations. Shirley states, ” My goal is to touch lives by making the reader think and then take necessary action towards spiritual and emotional wholeness”.

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Copyright © 2009 by Shirley Nichols.

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

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www.Xlibris.com

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58692

Contents

The Poet’s Sketch

Acknowledgements

Inhalation

2 PAPERS

2-Timing with 2-Taken

70 x 7

A NEW LIFE

All of the Above

ARE YOU IN LOVE OR LOVIN?

ATTACHMENTS

Brokenhearted

BUSY BODY

CAUGHT BY YOUR OWN TRAP

Cleared the Air (for RTD)

CONCEPTION

Crimson and Cream

D-A-D

DEM STREETS

Elder Martha

Extremes

For Chandra

For Tora (my home girl)

GLORY FOR MY STORY

GOOD SEX

GREAT MOM

Guess What (it is)?, Guess Who (we are)?

He Lives, She Lives

Heart of Hearts

He’s Your Heart

Hot and Bothered

How Could You?

How We Ended

I Forgave I Asked For Forgiveness

I REMEMBER

I Thought of You

Keep Your Head Up (for my bruthas)

KEITH MICHAEL: Who is like God; from the battlefield

Kendal

Like Ike

LOVE FOR THE UNDERDOG (for my sisters)

Me and Rachel

Mr. Fix It

My Pastor and My First Lady

NEIGHBOR

Never the Same

Of Course

OUR TIME

OVERBEARING

People of Color (Gettin’ Ourselves Together)

Playin’ on My Phone

POWER IN THE FLOWER

SAMARAH (MY FIRSTBORN)

SANDZ

Secret Prayer

SPOONS

Thanks for being my brother

Thanks for Talking to Me Today

That’s Life

The Beginning of Us

The Big O

The Black Dress

THE MOTHER OF LIES

The Nerd and The Free Spirit

THE RIDES THAT I TOOK

The Warrior Within (for Mekael)

They Said (Haters)

Titles

Try Again

When Children Sing, I Cry

When I Got the News

When I Moved Here (in this house)

WHY WOULDN’T I TRUST YOU?

WITH MY MAN

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

YOU

YOU’RE NOT FOOLIN’ ME

You Really Don’t Want Help

Exhalation and Outward Pronouncement

For my husband Keith,

Thanks for being the love of my life

And for blessing me with two beautiful daughters

The Poet’s Sketch

Shirley Yvette Carroll was born on December 20, 1969 and was raised in Columbus, Ohio. Shirley attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where she graduated with a bachelor of science in social work in 1992. She also attended The Ohio State University and received a master’s degree in social work in 1994.

Shirley has worked in the field of social services since 1994. She has specialized in the areas of: children and families, mental health/mental retardation, and most recently the aged/disabled Medicaid population. She has held titles such as: community liaison, project coordinator, social worker, case manager, and service coordinator.

In 1995, she met Keith Nichols. They married in 1996. In 1998, they moved to Houston, Texas from Columbus, Ohio. They have lived there for the past ten years. Together they are the parents of Samarah Yvette (deceased) and Kendal Trynese.

Shirley’s journey has been one filled with joy, pain, faith, and endurance. Through many years of reflecting and receiving divine revelation, Shirley has gone through the process of healing. Her true desire is to see others healed and made whole. She hopes that her readers will recognize themselves within these pages and journey on the path to healing also. Ultimately, she hopes that by reading this collection, readers will be revived spiritually, emotionally