Natural Expressions: A Family Affair

By Andrea J. Parham-Shannon

Natural Expressions "A Family Affair" truly reflect "Gods" favor on me. "Gods" hand is a hand of power and "He" has continued to keep me in "His" hands as I go forth in "His" name with Natural Expressions. Since Natural Expressions "Up Close and Personal", many changes in my life have come but, through Christ Jesus and His Angels "Grace and Mercy", I've been able to endure the challenges. As the elders would say "what don't kill us only makes us stronger" and boy ain't that the truth.

"A Family Affair" is dedicated in memory of my husband Rudolph who passed away in September 2010. The memory of him enjoying my poetry will always be an inspiration. My favorite book of romance is the Bible's Old Testaments "Song of Solomon". God's love is powerful.

"Look at God". Another collection, another blessing. Oh, I look to the hills and I defi nitely recognize where and whom my help comes from. Since Natural Expressions "Up Close and Personal" I've relocated to the hometown of my family in Warrenton, North Carolina, a drastic change from Washington, DC but, I welcome the change and the folks are wonderful.

"A Family Affair" was inspired by everyday living, family, friends, church and romance. A chance fi nally to share my children's (April and Vernon) school days poetry. How surprised I was to fi nd a suitcase tucked away that contained much of my children's school work, pictures, and report cards and yes, poetry written by them. What an honor to share their expressions.

As always, "To God be the glory". I pray that you have found one if not many poems in this collection to uplift and encourage you along your journey. If so, than our writings are not in vain. Peace and Blessings, Andrea J. Parham-Shannon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479762767

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

Book preview

Natural Expressions

A Family Affair

Featuring Poems by:

April N. Shannon-Reid (High School 1997)

And

Vernon R. Shannon (5th Grade1996)

Cover: My new home in North Carolina yes, still believing in Pickett Fences

Cover of Natural Expressions Up Close and Personal family home in Maryland

Copyright © 2012 by Andrea J. Parham-Shannon.

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.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

127387

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Unconditional Love

9/13 x 40 Complete

YET, I STILL LOVE YOU

Past, Present, Future 5/16/11 I Found Love

CASUAL

Family Tree

OUR STRONG BLACK HISTORY

A Mother’s Prayer

Road Trip

Cool Cali Unk

Journey

Birthday Blessings

LOOK AT GOD

Birthday Blessings

Special Tribute to the Victims and Caregivers of Alzhiemer Disease

Disconnected

Church Folk

Church Folk

A REVIVAL

BEFORE

The Homecoming

House on the Hill

Miss Mayflower

STAINED GLASS EYES

A Special First Lady

Happy 7th Pastor’s Anniversary

Selective Servants

Ooo Wee Another Blessing

HE IS MY BROTHER

A WAR ALL OF MY OWN

Zion

Missionaries At Work

Who Will?

Introducing April N. Shannon-Reid

DEEPER

BLACK WOMAN

I Am Dreaming

BLACKMAN

Elementary Expressions By Vernon R. Shannon

FEELINGS

ALPHABET POEM

NAME FIRST AND LAST

WAY DOWN IN THE MUSIC DMX

HONEY, I LOVE

THINGS

BY MYSELF

ME, MYSELF AND I

VOLCANO’S

FRIENDSHIP

LIFE

GOD

YES, I STILL BELIEVE IN Pickett Fences

ANDREA J. PARHAM-SHANNON

Poetry is universal and a form of art that is heard and used in our daily lives. When we listen to music we are listening to one’s poetic expressions concerning a specific area. Many emotions are generated when writing poetry and readers can identify with the poet where they are and what is being felt. Writers have a special gift that allow them to journey into the deepest parts of their minds to create awesome wonders and to transform mere thought into