'Pooring' Out

By Elaine Hawkins

'Pooring' Out is a book of poetry and prose covering an array of life experiences, emotions, some real-life personalities and even nature. It is provocative, political, critical and inspiring. Though told from an African American perspective, its themes are not limited to this people, but are universal. The roles of religion, politics and social justice are integral parts of humanity. This is a must read. There is something in this package for everyone!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Nov 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466962156

Book preview

‘Pooring’ Out

Elaine Hawkins

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© Copyright 2012 Elaine Hawkins.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn: 978-1-4669-6214-9 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-6216-3 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-6215-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012918584

Trafford rev. 11/01/2012

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Contents

Why?

Illusive Freedom

They Are Shooting Our Children

I Believe

Hard-headed Momma

Today I Cry

Freedom

Damaged Goods

Pig Ears, Pig Tails, Pig Feet

I Am Me

Do You Have the Right Man?

Racism

Charge: Suspicion

Jam Master Jay

Rachel

War

Soldier Girl

Serenity

A Welcome Death

My People

Son

Letter to Jesus

Today

Change

Life

Old Age

Sunshine

Red Eyes

Beautiful Black Baby Boy

Martin

Friend

Daddy

Free

Quiet Time

Low Self-esteem

Birthday

The Mind

Today

Birthdays

Breath

Play

People

God

I

Flowers

Politics

Faith

Black Woman

Josephine

Momma

At Any Cost

The Demon

911

Who is My Enemy?

Ashes

Loss

Patriotism

America

Silence

Music

Pennyville

Faith

Thank You

Subway

Halleleujah

Grateful

Free Speech

Love

America: Becoming Unglued

Terror

And the Whole World Kept Silent

Joy

Grief

Addendum

Alone

Smile

Time

Waiting

Praises

Being Black in America

Summer

Tears

Missed Opportunity

Sounds of Spring

Haiti I

Haiti II

Haiti III

Twenty-Twelve

Michael Jackson

Lady Ivy

Gray Skies

Stretched

Illusive Safety

Breathe

Spring

Forgiven

Awesome God

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my mother, Rosa Elizabeth Hawkins Johnson, better known as Mu who always told me that I could do anything to which I set my mind. Though she died in 2004, her spirit is still present. It is also dedicated to my three brothers who are deceased, but have enriched my life tremendously: Donald Ray, Carlton and Terry. Last, but not least, I dedicate this book to my family, extended family, church family, Aenon Missionary Baptist Church and my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why?

Why when I hear

That a youth was shot

Do I always rightly

Assume that it was

One of my children,

My sons of red, yellow,

Black, not white,

Why do I routinely

Like the sun shining,

Like the rain falling,

Like the sea rising

So naturally;

Observe my sons, daughters,

Brothers and sisters;

Detained, stopped, handcuffed

Beaten—on suspicion?

A crime’s been committed

It must have been one of them.

Common