My Journey Through Poetry: A Teenage Catharsis

By Simone Nikkole

My Journey through Poetry is a journey to self acceptance and discovery in the eyes of a teen fed up with the effects of the world on self-esteem. This collection of poems is an easy read allowing you to revisit those trying teenage years. Each poem holds its own message, its own story.

In order for us to grow as people, we have to connect to the past, learn from our struggles and allow the hard times to give us strength for the future. My Journey through Poetry gives you that chance. Someone has been in your shoes and is there to help you triumph. My Journey through Poetry harnesses the belief that life gets better; there is light at the end of the tunnel. Its not about how you finish but the journey you have getting there.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781462821730

Simone Nikkole

Simone Nikkole is a poet, spoken word artist, author, songwriter and child advocate. Having written over 300 poems inspired from her personal experiences and life situations, two of those poems, "Life" and "Me", received Honorable Mention from the 2001 New Jersey Art/Literary Competition. Simone Nikkole also finds herself inspired by her friends’ struggles and triumphs. She was featured in Signatures, Rochester Institute of Technology's annually published undergraduate art and literature magazine. The 2008 edition of Signatures, during one of the 3 years she was literary editor, won a Gold Crown Award from Columbia University Scholastic Press Association. Simone Nikkole also showcased her work in two poetry chapbooks, The Theatre of the Mind and Clouds Across the Stars. She has done many readings and performances at churches, schools, and different cultural events throughout the Rochester, New York area such as RIT and Rochester Poets: Poets Under 25. Her passion for poetry led her to attend "A Night Out With Maya Angelou", "An Evening with Yusef Komunyakaa", RochesterInk's "Poetry in Fusion" with Dorianne Laux and Ray Gonzalez, and a poetry workshop with Sean Thomas Dougherty. She is currently performing at open mics around New York City, working on a few other collections - experimenting with the use of Spanish and different poetic forms - while attending graduate school for Mental Health Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University.

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Copyright © 2010 by Simone Nikkole.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

preface

poetry

i am

a note from the auther

introduction

Before you judge

control of this pen

1

the beginnings

emotions

people

me

Role model

life

What you see is not what you get

craven

my independent wall

2

love

Smile

Blood sister

BABY GURL

Solace

Precious friends & family

Relationships

to find love

not Alone

Special

All 4 love

Crush

i miss you so much

music

the keys

3

growth & persistence

Keep tryin’

Virgin Soul

When you look at me

impossible image

Acceptance & popularity

G.H.E.T.T.O

Stronger

not in the mold

4

heartbreak

9-1-1

crying

Wake up

confused

over tha edge

makin’ me ill

Why? Why? Why?

Are you pleased?

fighting

Hiding

unloved

Hold me

5

deliverance in faith

& healing

freedom

Thought it not robbery

Deep Religion

proficient grace

Are you pleased? Reprise

Spiritual Rollercoaster

Broken Angel

Rise up

6

looking to Heaven

Chist i live Christ i die

Do we hurt him?

Jesus ain’t no earthly possesion

future

total control of the pen (to your life)

wait (Give me time)

Thank You

Heaven Our Home

untitled (my journey)

to my family, extended family & friends thanks for all the support and encouragement.

to KT, Terry, Victoria, & Masha, thank you for your great contributions to this project.

missing image file

to all those misunderstood during the time of self-discovery, to all those silenced voices crying out at home—

In the words of Lee Ann Womack, Whenever one door closes, I hope one door opens, promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance . . . I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance . . . and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.

preface

missing image file

poetry

what is poetry?

meditation, healing

relaxation

expression of feelings

poetry can be music

that calms your nerves

felt in your heart

deep in your soul

poetry can be a peaceful

peaceful means of communication

poetry can help you

find your true self

when you are lost in worldly influence

you can escape

external problems

in an unharmful way

like therapy

through poetry

poetry can be a secret

a secret language you share

a beautiful rainbow

in a time of storm

a