Standing on Top of the Mountain

By Dawn Hamilton

I thank God every day for giving me a voice through my writing and making a difference to someone along the way. My main reason for writing this book is to let young girls and women who are going through and have been through similar experiencessuch as physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, rape, homelessness, and joblessnessknow that they are not alone and there is always hope. I want to let you know that with faith and strong persistence, you wont lose your self-esteem but build confidence within yourself. You do not have to stay in any situation for any reason whatsoever, for we are all overcomers. Yes, Ive been angry, and Ive felt rage; however, I turned those emotions into positive encounters. I have built my life on the philosophy that my corner of the world will not be the same just because I have passed this way. So in my journey, I have decided to touch as many lives as possible, and I believe the circulation of this book will allow me to touch even more lives. I would like to let others know that they can believe in themselves, their goals, and their dreams because they will become what they believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504916219

Dawn Hamilton

Dawn Hamilton began writing poetry at a very young age. As a teenager, she found it difficult to express her thoughts, but while she was attending Independent City’s all-ages school in St. Catherine, Jamaica, she took advantage of a journal her mom had given her and started writing about how she felt as a teenager. Dawn relates, “It became my freedom. I didn’t realize then that it would become my horizon along life’s pathway. Writing sustains me through difficult times.” She calls her poems “Letters to God,? and with every one she writes, she prays that he will respond and that she will hear his voice. According to Dawn, “To endure is difficult, but to deal with physical and verbal abuse is heart rending.” She thanks God every day for paving a way for her voice to be heard. She currently resides in New York City, and she has received numerous awards for her work, including the International Merit Award for Poetry, Outstanding Achievement in Poetry, and several editors’ choice awards. Her work can be found with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an organization whose mission is to enhance, develop, promote, and preserve creative talents among Jamaicans.

Book preview

TO MY SON, HORACE (JUNIOR)

It was a rainy night when a son was born—with so many complications—

But it was my dedication to God that kept him in syndication.

There were doctors and nurses everywhere.

What they didn’t know was my God was near when Horace was not doing well.

But in Jesus’ hands he dwelt; I was there with him hours on end.

But it was my voice he heard in the end.

It was not an easy task for him through the years, but

He believes in me, and

I believe in God,

The one that made everything under the sun,

And I thank Him for being the guiding force for our son.

For all the love that I ever gave, it falls right back on you, and for that, I thank God.

TO MY DAUGHTER (AMAZING GRACE)

My dream started with you.

Having you changed my whole life.

If it wasn’t for you, I know I would be living a completely different way.

But God knew best—you were loved before I even knew you.

I wanted you to become so much.

It gives me the drive to strive.

Destiny has its own way—I thought it was a dream, but in the end, my destiny was found in you.

—From Mom, with all my love.

SHAWNA KAY

You are special.

You are love.

You can be whatever you want to be.

You are young and radiant.

I know you will grow gracefully.

Believe in yourself—that you can—

And with storm clouds, hold