Musings And Messages From The Heart: Early Verses And Aphorisms

This collection of poetry and aphorisms represents an incomplete representation of early creative expressions by a soul-seeking African American who began his education under U.S. apartheid and its accustomed systemic and associated constraints - too often underestimated for its life-affecting requisites. I attended what was termed an 'urban missionary' elementary school founded by the Catholics, from which I graduated as valedictorian in 1961. I was an honor student throughout my high school years at a (nearly) all-White Catholic high school where I was on the debate team and co-captain of the cross-country team. Having a gifted father who experienced the typical roadblocks to upward mobility in those days, and who was determined he would achieve what he was denied through his only son, the pressure was on from early age, and remained throughout high school and into university. My wonderful and now very successful son's impending arrival became known as I began my sophomore year at university, where I was on scholarship and enrolled in honors classes. Several premature life adjustments ensued, grades slipped after a notably excellent beginning, and that is when I first began to write poetry. I write in the Preface that I selected to leave out several verses written in those days of early reckoning, uncertainty, and pain. I also chose not to include a verse written for my sister who died under uncertain circumstances in 1968 when she was 24 years of age and nearly ready to give birth to her second child. And yet upon reflection, I finally decided to share selected love verses written for my wife who I first glimpsed in awe in October 1967 and to whom I have now been married for well over 40 years. It was in the late 1960's that my wife and I, both Catholic elementary and secondary school graduates, met at university, and fell in immediate love. Within a short period of time we came across spiritual teachings previously unfamiliar to us. We dove in together with great enthusiasm and gratitude, and were amazed and delighted at the mutual resonations we shared. The verses in this first volume were written over that period - from 1967 to 1985 - by a soul who was already middle-aged... and who found that out all too soon. And so, from those difficult, meandering, and edifying days recounted above, I am blessed to submit this small offering to those who may find value. Those written since 1985 will be offered soon, and will hopefully be a testament to how the love of the One Divine elevates and illuminates.

• | Author: Hymon T. Johnson
• | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• | Publication Date: Apr 07, 2017
• | Number of Pages: 52 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1545187533
• | ISBN-13: 9781545187531