Long Live Phoenixes

By Jasmine Farrell

A phoenix is one who has been shot with the fiery darts of life, stones of trauma and the flames of heartache. One who has risen from the ashes of tribulations, character assassination, heartache and familial wounds.

One who continues to rise from all that life hurls at them and continues to soar as his/her authentic self...by any means necessary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jasmine Farrell
• Release date: May 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781737946014

Jasmine Farrell

Jasmine Farrell is an author, journalist and poet.In addition to graduating Nyack College with a Bachelors in Communications in 2014, she has published over 4 poetry collections. More importantly, she has snagged many french fries off the plates of her loved ones.

Book preview

I would like to thank my support system:

My father for being in my corner, Auntie Momo for guiding me to just live, my friends for keeping me grounded and my partner for allowing me to just be. This book would not have been complete without the experiences I have faced from 2016-2018. Those two years have pulled out courage, self-accountability, confidence and beautiful connections that I will cherish for years. I appreciate the readers who read my draft and gave honest feedback. They have helped me to dig deeper- to reach my fellow phoenixes-from my heart to theirs. I would like to thank my fellow phoenixes for helping me stay focused on completing Long Live Phoenixes and for inspiring me

to always strut with my wings ready to soar.

Phoenix Law #1

Burn brightly,

soar high

and

always

remember where you came from.

Where I Come From

I come from Grandma’s

New Year’s Eve Peas ‘n’ Rice,

stiff charismatic hair bangs

and

God-mommies who can sang.

I come from pride-

heroes, strength and a few lies.

A lineage of stories that make the authors

of best sellers envious.

The older folk got tales.

Fierce index finger

to punctuate the line,

I ain’t gonna’ say it again to you verbally.

I come from passed down traditions

that should have remained

under vintage evening stars.

I come from hefty kisses,

Vaseline saturated lips.

I come from love.

You know, that sweet sticky confusing peace

we always attempt to grab instead of receiving.

I come from love.

I come from cook-up rice, ackee and salt fish.

Pholourie, four for 1$

and ritualistic

Monopoly gamin’ every other weekend

with aunty and uncle.

I come from playfulness.

Light hearted grins and cumbersome laughter,

spilling over couches with the stench of mauby

and sorrel,

permeating Grandpa’s living room.

I come from perseverance.

Hanging on to a thread

but Mama used the very hairs on her head to make sure we remained hanging-

sometimes,

bending,

shaking,

but,

never falling.

Never losing grip.

I come from grit.

The laced persistence

to place each foot in front of the other

in order to evolve.

Southern dialect, old wise tales

and old school routines.

Warm air, crisp bacon,

tree swingin’ in Valley Stream,