Journeys

By Vicky Ferguson

Imagine a 12-year-old girl being told by society that she is displeasing to God and to the world because of who she is. This is where her journey begins. She grew up in the 1960s when being queer was, well, queer. Amidst the clamor of the voices of society, she learns to turn her collar to the wind and keep moving. She is determined to flee the dust and dampness of the closet which becomes her safe, albeit lonely, haven. In spite of closet dwelling, she manages to create a face to meet the faces that she meets along the way. Slowly cracking the door of the closet and peeping out becomes an ongoing endeavor. Finally, in defiance, she is able to throw open the closet door and walk out into the sunshine. The journey is scary and exciting and freeing.

Although we all have a journey from cradle to grave, they are all different as they reflect our individual beings. Won’t you journey with me for a space of time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638291930

Vicky Ferguson

Vicky is a retired educator, former English teacher, assistant principal and principal. She received her Ph.D. from Emory University in Educational Leadership with a concentration in English. She has been a lover of poetry and literature since she was very young. Vicky started writing poetry when she was in junior high school. It was then that she began to realize that she is a lesbian. She did not understand at the time that she is still a child of God. She has decided that she has something to say and wants to add her voice to the voices of the universe.

Book preview

About the Author

Vicky is a retired educator, former English teacher, assistant principal and principal. She received her Ph.D. from Emory University in Educational Leadership with a concentration in English. She has been a lover of poetry and literature since she was very young. Vicky started writing poetry when she was in junior high school. It was then that she began to realize that she is a lesbian. She did not understand at the time that she is still a child of God. She has decided that she has something to say and wants to add her voice to the voices of the universe.

Dedication

To Judy Dennison, my life’s partner and inspiration.

To Nancy my mother who gave me my first book of poetry.

Copyright Information ©

Vicky Ferguson 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Ferguson, Vicky

Journeys

ISBN 9781638291923 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781638291930 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908557

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

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To Randy Fair, my friend who encouraged me to send my poetry into the world.

The Poet Gives the Poem

God rhythmically

Chants

Through the pitter

Patter

Of raindrops

As the artist and the poet spew forth emotions

Pen and brush on canvases yellowed

By time and the passing of youthful dreams.

The artist’s hands conduct a symphony of colors

Long, silent fingers

Splash

The hues of emotions

Beliefs and hopes

Upon the yellow canvas of her soul.

The poet, too, paints a picture

Her hands conduct a symphony of sounds

All muted

Falling

On stone deaf ears.

The artist and poet sharing senses

Able to feel more deeply,

To see more clearly

Than the masses of stone-faced men

Who turn their eyes

Inward upon stone hearts

Devoid of humanity.

The artist’s yellow canvas sings a song of life

Her colors strike chords in her heart and soul

Her gifts too intense

For the stone men to see

Their eyes blinded by shallowness

Her canvas

Sings only

To itself.