The Trapped Truth Society ~ member Nanthalia W. McJamerson's Poetry

Nanthalia McJamerson is a Professor in the Teacher Education Department at Grambling State University in Louisiana. She is an author and editor of educational books, including Developing Literacy Skills Across the Curriculum and Reconstructing Lives to Take the Mystery Out of Success. Her first poetry collection is titled A Part of Them Lives in Me. In addition to poetry readings in several forums, Dr. McJamerson’s poetry publications include Scribia Literary Journal and the International Library of Poetry. Forming a partnership, she and her husband, Dr. Jimmy McJamerson, provide educational seminars, motivational speaking, empowerment books and inspirational gifts.

ALL authors retain rights to their work. Any use or reprinting of their work must be done with permission and knowledge of the author. Please forward any such request to use a work or to contact an author to:
trappedtruth@ballardsbytes.com

Ladybug Monologue

There is no question about it:
I am delighted to be a ladybug.
“Humanhood” is just too hard.
My identity as a ladybug is uncomplicated,
A background of radiant color
With ebony dots sprinkled atop.
But as for humans,
Their identity is so complex:
Different skin tones,
Different hair textures,
Different languages
(Even when humans speak
the same language they
seldom understand each other),
Different concepts of bounty,
Different symbols of beauty,
Different economies, different equalities.
Different beliefs and values
(often within identical environments),
Different religions, rules and rituals,
Different anvils, different aspirations.
What a mess! What a mess!

It is no wonder they stay confused.
It is no wonder they remain in conflict.
Poor pitiful little humans—
Will they ever be okay?

Until You

I beheld Love’s symbols
and knew their infinity,
but I’d never felt
Love’s powerful divinity,
until you.

Though lured and exhausted
by life’s pleasure,
I had never accepted
joy's greater treasure.

Though pierced and carved
by the sword of demanding,
I was not refined
into understanding.

Like a champion
I mastered chronic affliction;
Never was I a slave to any addiction,
until you.

I had independence
in abundant supply
but no freedom, no wings
for me to fly,
until you.

A Tale of Two Epiphanies

This was the year I discovered by impotence.
This was the year I discovered by power.

During this year,
I recognized God’s awesomeness.
During this year,
I experienced God’s “personalness”.

Embedded in the hours
Co-dependence was hidden.
Embedded in the hours
Freedom was found.

For a season, my body was functional.
For a season, my body was unlimited
and amazingly transcendent.

During this year, I discovered my blindness.
During this year, I received my sight.

Drifting out were blocks of self-sabotage.
Flowing in were gems of self-love.

Now, I know I am unique.
Now, I know I am universal!

Nanthalia W. McJamerson _________________

Nanthalia W. McJamerson
_________________