Daddy Jim’s Timeless Expressions: Poetic writings and reflections by James A. Howard Sr., born in 1912, whose compilations created years ago, continue to remain relevant today.

By Linda Rose Gist

Daddy Jim’s Timeless Expressions are poetic writings coupled with a creative compilation of reflections by James A. Howard. A highly respected man of color born in Sandy Point, Maryland in 1912. Known, lovingly by his family as “Daddy Jim” and referred to as “Jim Howard or Mr. Howard”. He was known as a distinguished community leader by so many long-time residents in the historical Deanwood community in Washington DC. Although his work was historically written during unequivocal challenging times for Blacks in US history, the compositions resonate a sense of relevancy and authentic optimism that personifies his identity as a proud Nego in the United States of America. An unbridled display of joy and pain, and recognizable significance of community emersed in an astute dedication to Justice for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781663255532

Linda Rose Gist

Linda Rose Gist is a US Air Force veteran and retired Senior Policy Analyst from the US Department of Justice. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from University of Maryland, University College and a Master’s of Science degree in Confl ict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. A lifetime learner, she continues studies in correctional ministry with an accentuation on reentry. Linda spends her time traveling, journaling, enjoying live theater with family and friends and being a grandmother to her chocolate drops from heaven.

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Copyright © 2023 Linda Rose Gist.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-5552-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-5553-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023915703

iUniverse rev. date: 06/12/2024

Contents

What’s the Rush?

Discoveries

Contribution To Life

A Friend

Myself

Man & God

Triumph

Please Stay Near

How Much of a Man are You?

What is a Man?

Clouds and Sunshine

Changes

A Flirt

Disappointment

Why I am Thankful on Thanksgiving Day

Mother love

Wisdom’s Demand

Helping in Life

This Busy Humanity

Aspiration

Sunrise and the Meridian

Making Life Easier

The Home

Truth the Conquer

Perseverance

Give Happiness

Courage

Let’s get Started

Discoveries

Don’t Forget

Wisdom Crieth

Nature’s Call

Tribute to Marriage

Studies in Love

Preparation for Marriage

Making a Go of It

August

Alida — Down By the Sea

The Hot Hot Summer

Dissolution

Retribution

The Weather

Are God And Democracy Too Big For Us?

A Man’s World

To My Friend

What is Life?

For Love of Love

Human Emotion

A Determined Fight

Young Folks in Marriage

Cooperation

A Reading

Cheer Someone Up

Never Fear

It’s There

Wake Up

A-Man

Absent Tranquility

Cheer Others

Hope For All

Time Will Tell

A Rainy Day At Home

Take a Walk down the Aisle

Hope for All

Being Ones Self

Sluggard

To Be Of Service

Taboo

I Don’t Know Why!

Wondering

Think of God Always

Trouble

The Reawakening

Remorcefulness

True Love

I Don’t Know Why!

In Exchange for My Soul

Tell Me

Yesterday’s Trouble

To the tune of, Let’s Fill the Air With Eagles.

Don’t Forget

Problems

My Songs

Untitled Song

Untitled Song

T.L.C.

I Don’t Want To Cry Over You

Thinking On a Rainy Day

Love Me Forever

You’ll Be The First To Know

Where Do You Draw the Line

Ambition

Darling I Love You

Untitled Song

Wise Sayings

Do Your Job

Past God Future

Myself

Encouraging Success in Teenagers

My Grandfather: James Alexander Howard Sr.

Poetry Archive

Written by: Daddy Jim

Foreword

As a child, adolescent, and young mother I was inspired by the many enjoyable engagements I experienced with my grandfather Daddy Jim. He was deeply cherished within our family, and by the many people within the communities where he lived and served.

As an elder in the family, Daddy Jim never had a problem with addressing concerns or relating to anyone regardless of their age, race, economic status, culture, or identity. He felt a sense of well-being and contentment while engaging with all types of people, and was fulfilled knowing that everyone that departed his presence would feel inspired and empowered. No matter what you were going through or experiencing in your life, when talking to him, his comments were always relevant, supportive, and inspirational, and felt so much like poetry in motion.

His rich baritone voice, sung from his all-time favorite song, Old Man River, that all of us in the family learned instinctively how to sing, continues to reverberate in my heart. His oratorical declarations were even more prolific as he taught each of his grandchildren his favorite poem, If, by Rudyard Kipling. Making clear that we all understood valuable life lessons, and the need for self-control and integrity, no matter the challenges we faced.

This collection of his poetry, wise sayings and songs is truly a testament to his creative thoughts, words and deeds that reflect the triumphant and forlorn experiences he encountered throughout his life.

I am still simply amazed by his stature and confidence, and his uncanny ability to always have a story to tell or a hypothetical question to ask. He always inspired and challenged the entire family to always be the BEST, regardless of ANY situation. His optimism about life, ability to exhort his truth, and desire to make the world a better place has inspired me to not only walk in his legacy, but to also share his life with you.

If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;

If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings