Renaissance Dreams: Life’s Journey Through Poetry

By Juanita Gaskin

“Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wanted to be somebody, but she was always told that she was nothing.” The writer in Juanita Gaskin remained dormant as depression and life circumstances held her back. Renaissance Dreams refers to the rebirth of passions delayed and of hope to come. Juanita reinvented her place in life by not letting fear or the disapproval of others determine her path. She walked through dark times and managed to walk into the light.

This book is a reflection of her life in poetry and photography. Through poetry, Juanita wrote of her depression; it was her form of therapy and gave her the strength to push beyond the madness to find the inner woman that was lost. Writing was her way of releasing the pain and finding comfort. She awoke to a new beginning.

It’s a battle with the self, when you reach for a goal with no one there to help you through or cheer you forward. You wonder whether you have the strength to keep fighting—but you must believe in yourself. It takes a positive mind to get you where you truly belong. Juanita hopes that someone out there will read her book and find the courage to hold on just a little longer. Keep strong, because hope is on the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781663206695

Juanita Gaskin

Juanita Gaskin grew up in Harlem, New York, never knowing what possibilities awaited her. Reading was her first escape, followed by poetry. She received a degree in English/creative writing, which became a road map to achieving her goals. Paris was her muse, opening her to a new life direction.

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Copyright © 2020 Juanita Gaskin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-0670-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-0669-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919489

iUniverse rev. date: 01/11/2021

Contents

Chapter 1: Childhood

123rd Street

Birthdays

In a Room for One, Shared by Three, Sometimes Four

Kids at Play

A Day at the Welfare Office

Silver Screen

Chapter 2: Depression and Survival

A Place Unknown

The Me Who Should Have Been

Evil Working within the Box

Someone Is Living My Life

Life on Hold

My Strength and Comfort

Chapter 3: Fairy Tales of Love and the Pain That Comes with It

Hey, Man!

To Sleep, My Love

Waiting for Your Call …

Fight to Be Right

Is This Love?

Broken Heart

Director in My Life

December Love

What Remains is Not Gone

Love

One Night with You

Chapter 4: Hope Is on the Way

The Writer in Me

Freedom

At This Moment

Chapter 5: The Journey Continues

By Now

On the Way to Buy Some Bread

To Go to New York

This Is My Junk!

A Message to Daughters, Sisters, and Friends

Sail with Me

The Life of Leaves

The Rhythm of My Flow

Getting Lost in the Travel along the Way

On the Day We First Met

The Rainbow

Brass Ring on the Merry-Go-Round

Don’t Ask Me to Sing the Blues ’Cause I’m Black

Lady in