Kings, Queens, and other Things check out the poetry composed by the beautiful, intelligent, and classy Jamie Mayes. Weighing in as a full time school (LSU alumna) teacher and mentor, Ms. Mayes never sleeps on her gift of poetry. She released her book
Tear Stained Dresses and Dusty Shoes in November of 2011 and it's phenomenal! Below we unleashed a sample that Jamie blessed us with. Sit back, relax, and read!
3 Poem Compilation
MY JOURNEY
This life here’s been hard on me
There were times when someone else I begged to be
Feeling down I cried to God for peace
From the pain, I wanted sweet release
Please, Lord, wipe the tears from my eyes
Give me the easy route to my prize.
Dirt all around on a supposed to be clear path
Searching for cleanliness not found in a bath.
Feet weary from my fast walking pace
Asking for a little of God’s grace.
Yet, if there was no rain couldn’t appreciate the sunshine
And eventually, the joy that would be mine.
Been such a long road with twists and turns
Some days lost on the path that I journ’d
A dusty hard pebbled path with fallen leaves
Unexpected changes brought me to my knees
Kept treading the road, thinking of giving up
Pleading for a drop of water in my empty cup.
Still there’s no doubt of what I wouldn’t do-
Wouldn’t trade my tear stained dressed and dusty shoes.
(**This is the title poem from the book Tear Stained Dresses & Dusty Shoes)
SUGA SWEET
Suga Sweet was her name,
Sweetest girl that ever came,
Worked a wonder but it’s a shame,
That doggish man was to blame.
Suga Sweet met Bill Black,
He beat Suga Sweet and she took ‘im back,
A full course meal he never lacked,
Along with a cigarette full pack.
Church women say Suga Sweet go,
Don’t let that no good beat you no mo’,
Suga Sweet loved that nigga though,
Even though his gambling kept them po’.
One night Suga Sweet cried,
Bill Black beat her til she damn near died,
Said he want stewed okra ‘stead of fried,
Finally he broke Suga Sweet’s pride.
Suga Sweet been through a lot,
She ran to the kitchen to get that pot,
In his lap is where he got,
Yella grits steaming hot.
(**from Tear Stained Dresses & Dusty Shoes)
Put It On Bricks
We weren’t poor we were rich in spirit,
That’s not a leaking roof,
That’s the tinkle of gold,
You hear it?
That’s not water leaking from the sink,
That’s the Lord trying make you think.
Those aren’t holes in your shoes,
Those are mysteries with socks for clues.
That’s not a trip you can’t afford,
That’s your imagination calling you on board.
That’s not an apartment in the projects,
That’s a path to success you didn’t detect.
That’s not sadness upon your head,
That’s a normal reaction to things they’ve said.
Got to learn to push through when things make you sick,
But our couch broke and we put it on bricks.
(**This is a new one from my upcoming book Pennies. In. My. Pocket. (fall 2012)
**Book available on Amazon's website**
"As an educator I belong to my students. As a daughter I belong to my
parents. As a friend I belong to my friends. As a child of Christ I
belong to those in need. But, as a writer I belong to myself. What
aspect of you belongs to you?
Check out my website: http://jamiemayesaoe.com/."
Black Diamonds & Girls declares Ms. Mayes as our Poetry Queen!
For bookings contact Ms. Mayes via facebook http://www.facebook.com/jamiemayesaoe or by visiting her twitter profile @
jaeraemae.
Stay tuned for more work from our Poetry Queen :)
