Bars

By Lenford Thompson

This book of poetry was partly inspired by Tupac Shakur’s book of poetry entitled: THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE, I am not as poetic as he, but I try my best. Just as Tupac has written a song dedicated to his mother entitled: DEAR MAMA, I have also written a song dedicated to my mother which I turned into a poem called RIVER, in the song DEAR MAMA Tupac sung: and even as a crack fiend, mama, you always was a black queen mama. I view my mother as a black queen as well.
This is the first time that I have written a book consisting only of poetry. I hope you enjoy and choose one or many of the poems within this book that you can relate to and appreciate, and one or many that represents you, please accept this gift I give to you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823009164

Lenford Thompson

Lenford Mawell Thompson was born in the island of Jamaica on May 17, 1985, to Linford Thompson and Faith Brown. His years of childhood in the small village of Joe Hut, Trelawny, were pleasant, surrounded by his large extended family and his younger sister, Kadesja Thompson. He attended Freeman’s Hall Primary School and at the age of 9, Lenford, Kadesja, and their parents migrated to the United States. His first days in America could be described in two words: culture shock. He was lost, everything seemed congested, and everyone spoke a sort of English he had never heard before. However, as time progressed, Lenford adapted to his surroundings and eventually was Americanized. His love for poetry and writing ironically was found in summer school, after failing his eleventh-grade English class. His summer school teacher introduced him to his favorite poet, Langston Hughes, and he immediately fell in love with his art form. Lenford then began writing stories and poetry and sharing with friends, family, and his church congregation. They all loved his work and would always ask for more. One of Lenford’s dearest friends, whom he looks up to as an older sister, Carleen Richards, suggested that he turn his poetry into music, thus discovering another passion of Lenford’s and a deeper creativity from within. His music has touched many hearts and, at times, has brought people to tears. At the age of 17, Lenford was diagnosed with depression and taking antidepressants to get through each day. Though his depression still remains as an everyday struggle, in everything he does, he leans on God. His faith has brought him to where he is today as well as his family. Lenford decided to write this book to share his story and inspire someone with his words.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Introduction

Love Your Hair

He

Signature

The Wise Fool

Untitled

Mount Vernon, Ny

Shine Light Jesus

Faith

Saint Valentine

Payday

Tears Fi Yawd (Jamaica)

Cursed

Earl

Coffee

Serious Times

Ignorance

Church Shoes

I Do

Memories

Bed Bugs

Youth Is Vanity

Joe Hut On My Mind

Beauty

Discontent

Addict

Read All About It

Mister Window Man

Global Warming

All Alone

Letter To A Friend

Youth

Canaan

Bread Of Sorrow

I Am Beautiful Too

Reflection

One More Time

Umbrella

Betty

Murdaville

One Of Us

In God We Trust

The Beach In Connecticut

A Sad Death

Borrowed Wings

Father To Son

Home Alone

When Night Falls

To My Goddaughter Azariyah

Aunty Winsome

Lucifer

Four Seasons Of Mama (Deaf)

Shine Light Jesus Part 2

Writer’s Block

Appointment

Poem

Mix

Sister Dear

Church

Poets

Clouds

Blood

Dilated Mind

Envy

Is Anybody There

Jesus Wept

Cheeks

Ironic Suicide

Without Giving Reasons

Who

Mirror Part 2

Child

Cradle Or Grave

Memories Part 3

The Toothless Shark

Signs

Dance

Sleep Walking

Bravery

Candle

Into The Fire, Out In The Cold

Pangea

Bars

The Boy Who Stands A Far Off To Stare In The Mirror

History

50 Stars & 13 Stripes

State Of Mind

Water

Silent Street

Fix The Roads

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

I started writing poetry in my teenage years, I failed my eleventh- grade English class, so that year I had to attend summer school, which at first I hated, but it was needed, and turned out to be beneficial. Our teacher, Mr. McCall introduced us to an author who would eventually become my favorite poet: Langston Hughes. I immediately fell in love with his art form. We were taught things like how to write a free verse poem, which is a poem that does not rhyme, we were also taught how to use rhyme schemes, and to not repeat the same word too often in our literature and poetry.

So I started my journey into the world of poetry. At first my material was not that impressive, but I would read the poetry of others like Emily Dickinson, and of course Langston Hughes. This book of poetry was partly inspired by Tupac Shakur’s book of poetry entitled: THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE, I am not as poetic as he, but I try my best. His music might have been controversial, but I believe he had a kind heart, I would love if I could get this book into the hands of his mother Afeni Shakur, but I’m not sure how to go about that, just as Tupac has written a song dedicated to his mother entitled: DEAR MAMA, I have also written a song dedicated to my mother which I turned into a poem called RIVER, in the song DEAR MAMA Tupac sung: and even as a crack fiend, mama, you always was a black queen mama. I view my mother as a black queen as well.

I can recall when I first dived into poetry, I called a girl I very much liked on the phone, and I read to her some of my material. Some days after she embarrassed me in front of the entire class, by mentioning that I read my corny poetry to her over the phone.

I remember that when I first learned how to read, I read everything, books like the HARDY BOYS, THE COLOR OF WATER, OLIVER TWIST, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and others. I read billboards, traffic signs, and everything that consists of words. but at first though I could read I could not comprehend, but throughout the years I’ve mastered it.

While writing this book I was in a great deal of paranoia and distress, but I pushed through as my