It’s a Good Day to Die: Some Personal Poetry About the Ups and Downs in My Life

By Jay Thomas Willis

This book of poetry traces my struggles from childhood, through college, military, and adult years. My poetry is mostly free verse and rhyme. I utilize my life experiences to present a mesmerizing book of poetry. I present over fifty poems in this collection. The title is appropriate, because in reviewing my life, I conclude that any day has always been a good day for me to die. I believe like the Native Americans that it is important to begin each day fresh, and not let past problems or present distractions cloud how God wants us to live.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532098864

Jay Thomas Willis

Jay Thomas Willis graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. degree in sociology. He also graduated from Texas Southern University with a M.Ed. in counseling, in addition to receiving a MSW in social work from the University of Houston. Willis has held numerous social work positions.

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Copyright © 2020 Jay Thomas Willis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9885-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9886-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020908512

iUniverse rev. date: 05/15/2020

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Also By Jay Thomas Willis

Author’s Note

Part I - LOVE INTEREST

1 An Unrequited Love

2 Alyala

3 Cherrie

4 The Prettiest Girl

5 My Favorite Store

6 For My Beloved Shelly

7 Alyssia

8 Kadiya

9 A Perfect Ten

10 Be Careful What You Wish For

11 For My Beloved Susan

12 Ode To Carrie

13 She’s Got Legs

14 A Brief Encounter

15 California Girl

Part II - LIFE IN GENERAL

16 A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

17 A Military Experience

18 Back Home In Houston

19 Jobs

20 Life

21 Some Life-Long Tips

Part III - FAMILY

22 Why Not Be A Continuous Fool?

23 Marcus

24 Martin

25 My Friend

26 Frances

Part IV - THE ENVIRONMENT

27 My Earliest Remembrance

28 The Dirt Road

29 The Three-Mile Trail

30 The Cradle Café

31 Stabbing At The Cradle Café

32 The Regal Black Stud

33 The Church And Religion

34 What I Liked About Rural East Texas

35 What I Didn’t Like About Rural East Texas

Part V - PERSONAL ISSUES

36 Pigtails And A Dress

37 A Human/Animal

38 It’s A Good Day To Die

39 A Lesson Well Learned

40 Any Day Is A Good Day To Die

41 Johnny And I

42 Sean

43 Dying A Little Every Day

44 Better Soldier As An Officier

45 A Perfect Day To Die

46 Personality And Paranoia

47 To Live In Peace

Part VI - EDUCATION

48 Starting School

49 Cotton Picking

50 High School

51 Our High School Senior Trip

52 College

53 Get A Good Education And Get A Good Job

About The Author

DEDICATION

This book of poems is dedicated to Crazy Horse, and other Native Americans, for their immortal words, It’s a good day to die. Historically, these words were credited to Crazy Horse, but were known to have been uttered by any number of Native Americans as they prepared to engage in battle. These words became a mantra for the Native Americans.

Anytime a single person or a group tries to move in on you, lock, stock and barrel; then, It’s a good day to die, as Crazy Horse, Low Dog, and other Native Americans cried out when about to engage in war….

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the indomitable spirit of Crazy Horse and other Native Americans. May their spirit live on in the hearts and minds of the American and Native American people.

Thanks to the Almighty God for giving me a rich variety of life experiences.

ALSO BY JAY

THOMAS WILLIS

Nonfiction

A Penny for Your Thoughts: Insights, Perceptions, and Reflections on the African American Condition

Implications for Effective Psychotherapy with African Americans

Freeing the African-American’s Mind

God or Barbarian: The Myth of a Messiah Who Will Return to Liberate Us

Finding Your Own African-Centered Rhythm

When the Village Idiot Get Started

Nowhere to Run or Hide

Why Blacks