Thinking out Loud

By Kathleen Sledge

“THINKING OUT LOUD” is a collaboration of the Author’s mind and soul. This body of writings run the spectrum of savvy and sweet to raw and ravenous.
The poems, written from her own intra-personal struggles are encrusted with matter-of-fact dialogue and as you read, you are transported from your own safe frame of reference. You’ll find yourself laughing, crying and “Thinking Out Loud”, or feeling compelled to strengthen alack-luster relationships, if only with yourself.
For certain, some poems you’ll like, others you will love. You are guaranteed to find a few that seems like they were written with you in mind. “THINKING OUT LOUD” takes some readers to a place they haven’t been in a very long time, and to a few places they never even visited.
ENJOY!!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665523028

Kathleen Sledge

For the Author, Kathleen Sledge, every time there was a special event or occasion that required just the “WRITE” words, she heard this phrase, “Just write me something!” She was born in the Delta in Mississippi. She was brought North by her parents as a toddler. She was raised and attended school on the low-end (43rd St.), of the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. A born writer, she pulls together dialogue from her experience as a daughter, sister, mother and friend. Often she finds herself writing words that most women’s inner monologues prohibits them to say. (OUT LOUD, at least) She has a knack for putting words together that causes the reader to relate, reflect and rejoice. Over the years, she has grown from a catering and accommodating personality, to a secure, confident and mature woman. Her writings are a reflection of this growth, yet she remains warm-hearted, focused and trued. After all, these poems were created while “Thinking Out Loud”.

Book preview

2021 Kathleen Sledge. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/27/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2296-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2302-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021907809

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.

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.

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgments

Fancy That: The Lady Takes a Bow

■ She

■ Wildflower

■ Sense of a Woman

■ Laura Lee

■ Today

While Reflecting on Life

■ I Need a Change

■ Negative Thoughts

■ Life’s a Bitch

■ Heart, Hand, Head

■ Man

■ We Can

■ Moments

■ This Time

■ My Country Home

Regarding Love

■ Love Is

■ Web

■ My Private Passion

■ If

■ A Place in the Heart

■ When I Think of You

■ I Wish I Knew

■ You and Me

■ I’m in Love

■ Let Me Love You

■ Dreaming

■ Bondage

■ Intruder

■ Our Love

Meditative Moments

■ Daily Prayer

■ Payday

■ What’s Your Price?

■ God’s Love

■ The Fruit of the Spirit

■ I Am a Woman

■ Love, Kindness, Understanding

This, This, and That

■ Sistah Monologue

■ Black Man

■ A Real Woman

■ Ode to Grandmother

■ Thank You, Mama

■ I Remember Christmas

■ What’s the Matter with You

■ Kat’s Krap

■ Celebrate the Cleansing

About the Author

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Dedication

For all my family and friends who continue to love and prop me up on all sides when I’m not my best. Thank you!

For Lynette, who always stepped right in at all the right times, for consistently being a great sister and aunt.

For my niece and nephew, Daryl and Adrienne, your presence in my life is immeasurable.

Here’s one for Bobbie for ringing my phone and checking on me when I’ve forgotten to call in a while.

For the two gents I owe my life to who offer so much inspiration in my life. My sons, Chis and Evan, stayed with me that one night, and that made a difference in my still being here. You both know how much I love you!

For Tori and her three gems, Justin, Dorian, and Joelle.

For Chris and his three diamonds, Gabe, Jaiden, and Jordan, and for Evan and his jewel, Ean.

You must know my love for you all. This one is for you!

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Preface

To those who know me and know me well, my family, and the very few I call close friends, this effort is as much for you as it is for me.

And to those of you who do not know me, indulge in what you read within these pages. Take it and claim it as if it were yours. Because while reading these poems, you will come to realize that it is just as much yours as it is mine. It is as much about you as it is about me.

Throughout the years of pondering this book, I’ve wondered why it has taken so long. The answer is simple. Experiences create thoughts. With every experience I think, so now this is the time. Through my experiences, I’ve deemed myself a master thinker. A reflective genius if you will. You know what they say, You can’t rush genius.

That is why I can finally put closure on a project that has tap-danced on my brain for more than thirty-five years.

To you who truly know me, know my struggles, you also know that I am a survivor. You know also that I can do just about anything once I