Andrea Yvette's Empty Spaces - Preliminary by DPI Graphic Design

“Empty Spaces” is dedicated to my readers and all lovers of poetry. With Special dedications to my Mother, (Georgia Roberts) my Dad, (James Roberts) my late Uncle, Don Hammond, and my Grandmother, Henrietta Hammond (Granny). Writing poetry is my way of voicing the thoughts and feelings of all those who, like myself, have a tendency to keep their emotions bottled in. This book gives me a chance to express many facets of my talent as a writer, a lover of music, and a human being with a since of humor as well as a keen awareness of life’s real issues. I would like to thank My Loving Husband, Bill, for always supporting me in all that I do. Yours Truly Andrea Yvette

DETERMINATION From a child, wise beyond her years, she was determined to be. Though trials and turmoil robbed her of her years, s till she was determined to be. Stains of pain and sleepless nights adorn her face, she is determined to be. Criticism and ridicule tarnish her grace still, she is determined to be. Moments of joy with no one to share, a heart full of love but no one seems to care. Still she is determined to be. Used, misguided, bewildered and divided, still she is determined to be. Big gain, bigger loss, regain, at much cost. She is determined to be. Loved, admired, hated and despised, still she is determined to be. Hired then fired, down real low, up real high, she is determined to be. Scared, uncertain, doubtful and disdained, still she is determined to be. Held down, held back, raped of dignity and name, she is determined to be. Determined to be heard, to be loved, determined to be counted, determined to be trusted, determined to be entrusted, determined to be consoled, determined to be whole, determined to be faithful, determined to be happy. DETERMINED to be no one! No one other than ME! â&#x2013;

I JUST WANNA DANCE Thank you for the drink but I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to sit down. I appreciate your compliments they really make me smile. Unfortunately, I’ll only be here for just a little while. Wait a minute, that’s my favorite song and I really don’t see nothin wrong with a little two-steppin, dip down low, spin me around and across the flo. Just like that as I close my eyes, his hand moved from my waste to my thighs. I back away with a sideways glance. Let’s get this straight. I just wanna dance. He spins me. He dips me, hands back on my waste. He pulls me in, I swing out, my hair brushes his face. People are watching, they stop and they stare as he carefully twirls me around in the air. As the music dies and we stand hand in hand, I smile and thank him kindly. I really enjoyed the dance. ■

ABSENT WITH PERFECT ATTENDANCE “Who can tell me, what is three times nine?” Hands fly up, every hand but mine. Instead, my shoulders sink and all I can do is think, please don’t let her call on me. Whew! I dodged that one, only she’s not done. Maybe if I put my head down so she can’t see, she’ll go up and over and all around me. “Who will read aloud paragraph two?” God please let her call on Bobby, Gary, or even Sue. Again, I win, she called on Jen. I’m not too good with book stuff you see. Mama never takes much time with me. But it’s ok, I will still have me a job. Mama’s boyfriend Jody, or was it Rob, told me all I have to do is come see him when I’m thirteen. He’ll put me on and teach me everything. I would like to be a doctor so I can help my lil’ brother. Something is wrong with him, but you’ll have to ask my mother. I wish I could read better so I could write to my dad. But he can’t read either, I forgot. My bad! I’m not dumb, I just get confused. Sometimes my numbers look like letters and my Zees look like twos. I’m here every day, cause Mama always say, ‘ain’t stayin home with her, she got things to do.’ It must be real important, cause she gets home real late. Then she sends me and my brother to bed and we haven’t even ate. I would like school more if it wasn’t so hard but at least I get to go outside. I can’t do that at home. Some dude got shot in our yard, and well, he died. I’ll be in class tomorrow but I hope the teacher don’t call my name. If she does I’ll just make a joke so the kids don’t think I’m lame.

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THE STORM The day is sunny, the sky is clear. Not a care in the world. No worries, no fear! The weather is steamy just like a hot bath. The birds are soaring, not a cloud in their path. I pass by my neighbors sitting on their porches. They wave and flash a smile. I stop by Mr. Lou who owns the country store and we sit and chat a while. As I continue on through my neighborhood streets, I marvel at God’s magnificent creations and the beauty of the trees. Someone says to me, “Hey! Hey! Have you heard the news? There’s gonna be a storm and it’s gonna be huge.” A storm you say? No, I have not heard. But it’s such a beautiful day. I think that is absurd. I park my bike in a field and pick a few flowers. Sometimes I come out here and just sit for hours. Usually there’s a sweet smelling breeze and when it blows it makes me sneeze. But for some reason today, the air was calm and still. It was actually kind of creepy and I didn’t like how it made me feel. I hopped back on my bike and for home I began to head. “You’d better hurry up my dear.” Old Lady Johnson said. I parked my bike in the garage and turned on the news. “A storm is coming and it’s gonna be HUGE!” I watched Mother gather important things and put them in a box. The first thing she grabbed was the Bible and the portable radio clock.

She pulled me by the arm and I held tight my pillow. We hurried outside to the cellar below. The wind tried to keep us from reaching the door. Father had to push us as we struggled even more. Inside the cellar as the candles were lit, the silence was evil while we wait and we sit. First came the roaring of an angry train along with the pounding fists of the pouring rain. The wind was striking the cellar door with furious blows as it peeked open and slammed closed. The crash of trees as they cracked and snapped, threw me right into my Father’s lap. I hug his neck with all my might and he squeezes me and whispers, “It’s going to be alright.” This violent monster is out of control as it tramples and crumbles and digs a hole. Then all of a sudden the roaring and pounding stopped. The rain that was pouring, now barely a drop. Father climbed the cellar stairs and peeked outside while Mother and me just waited. Afraid of what he’d find. Finally we climbed out and the sun was extremely bright. Ten minutes ago it was as dark as midnight. Folks began to appear and look all around. Everyone moved real slow and no one made a sound. Just then I heard my Father say, “That certainly was a big one. Thank God we’re all ok!” ■

AN INWARD SMILE Your gentle hello. Your lingering stare. The sound of your footsteps when you come in. Your boyish laughter. Your strong frame. The smooth way you blow out a candles flame. When I allow my mind to reflect and ponder a while. I think of you. And I smile, and inward smile. â&#x2013;

SOUTHERN FLAVORED LOVE You refresh me like a tall glass of ice cold, sun brewed tea, tickling my tonsils with your sweetness. Your fragrance drives me out of my mind like my Aunt Mildred’s apple pie and… My Daddy’s homemade biscuits. Your kisses got more spice than red beans and dirty rice. You’re smoking hot like a big ole pot of collard greens and ham hocks. When you touch me, the butter melts on my pancakes and my coffee starts to percolate leading me to speculate that it’s about to get real. Like grits and thick fried bologny, with just one touch, you own me. Lemonade is sweet but your lips are sweeter. And honey is no match for the feelins I catch from your finger tips that touch my soul and cause my hips to stir like gravy… Oooh how you sway me. Like chicken sizzling in hot grease, my temperature rises and my thighs fry beneath me. Waiting on you to serve me up some of that Southern Flavored Love. ■

A FAMILIAR FEELLING I was brought to this place, lost and confused. Though I had visited, many times before, this time was different. There was no set date to leave and no familiar feeling. A foreigner amongst my peers. Only they weren’t really my peers. They didn’t talk like I talked, didn’t walk like I walked. Didn’t dress like I dressed. Didn’t understand the way I understood. Determined to hate them And this place, I curled up inside myself. I kissed myself with the memories I left behind. I hugged my own body by holding my head high with the gracefulness of a Swan. I befriended ME, while their whispers of hate rolled down my back. And then… Lord have mercy… A pair of eyes that were not my own, admired me. They called my name from across the room. They invited me to come closer. Finally! A set of lips that talked my talk. A pair of legs that walked my walk. A heart that beat the rhythm I danced to. A mind that was thinking my thoughts. We clicked like thunder and lightning. Causing to scatter whatever was in our path. Stealing every moment of time to be together. You made me forget the past. You accepted my attachments though you yourself were free. Time and distance pushed between us robbed us of the gem we held on to. Stripped of a connection that was once so strong, it defeated the opposition that stood like a giant in the doorway of our journey. Gone were you and I was too. Never again to storm together. One last time. One last ride on the wave that carried us across the deep waters and then washed ashore like a sand pebble. I was brought to this place, lost and confused. But now I must leave; for now I understand and there exists a familiar feeling. ■ 14

I MISS YOU I lost a love that no one can replace. Ripped my heart right out of its space. I stumble, I fumble, I crawl around. Trying to pick my soul up off the ground. I still feel the pain that cuts like a knife when they told me that you took your life. Part of me believes but part of me has doubts. Never thought you’d take the coward’s way out. Such pain I never felt before closes me in like a steel door. Why? I ask. Someone tell me why. I never got a chance to say goodbye. Could I have stopped you? What could I have done? One day you were here and the next day you were gone. I can still here Jazz as he howled that night. Even the dog knew this just wasn’t right. At your funeral they stood and professed lies of love. I wanted to stand and tell how much crap they were full of. And though you would have wanted me to, I had way too much respect for you. Instead I sat with tears pouring from my face. Disbelief in my heart filled the empty space. They say time heals but that’s not true. Time stands still where there’s thoughts of you. While you still sleep, my heart still weeps. But I’ll always keep your memory locked safely in my heart. I Miss You! ■

CATCHIN FEELINGS Boy you got me catchin feelings. Got me high like an acoustic ceiling. Got me pacin the floor when I’m supposed to be chillin. What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? I never knew a man like you. So calm so eclectic and O’ so smooth. You change my skies from gray to blue. Change my ways for the sake of you, for the taste of you. I’m catchin feelings. Catching feelings like a ball in glove. I’m ready to fall in love. Send out the white dove. I just can’t get enough of… ooh, So in to you, so in to you, so in to you. You leave me breathless, fatigued and restless as I wrestle with this heart of mine. Will this be endless, should we begin this, a lasting friendship is hard to find. So glad I found you. I found you, I found you, I found you. Boy you got me catchin feelings. Got me high like an acoustic ceiling. My mind is guessing but my soul is willing. What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? Your smile, your touch, makes me reach for much more than just a hand from you. I stand for you. Swim on dry land for you. I want to give to you what you give to me. Bring to you what you bring to me. Sing to you the way you sing to me. La dah dee, la dah dee, la dah dee. Catchin feelings like a crook gets caught, like a book gets bought, l ike a lesson gets taught, like a fight that’s fought. You win! I give in and in again. There’s no end. I’m in, just when I catch these feelings I get high like an acoustic ceiling. ■

STRESSED OUT! ANGRY! MAD AS HELL! I go from stressed out to angry to mad as hell. I get depressed, I cry, I scream and yell. Frustration I wear like a crown. Despair is my makeup. I spend half the day in my nightgown. Sometimes I don’t even want to wake up. It’s my fault, to myself I tell. Then I go from stressed out to angry to mad as hell. I try to bounce back again, but something is always happenin. The water is covering over my head and I cannot breathe. I’m in this tunnel but there’s no light. Only darkness around me. Once strong but now so frail. I go from stressed out to angry to mad as hell. “It’s not your fault.” They say to me. “I’m here for you.” They claim to be. “It’ll be ok, just wait and see.” Still things get worse with intensity. I’ve been here before and I’ve come through. I know exactly what I have to do. Gonna pick myself up off the wall. Gonna make a move if I have to crawl. Gonna climb those stairs to my way up. Might slip, might slide, oh well, so what. I’m tired of being tired! No more room for me to dwell. I refuse to be stressed out, angry and mad as hell. ■

THE STALKER Let me call this girl one more time. I know she sees my number. If she don’t answer I’mma drive over there and I bet not see her Hummer. “You’ve reached my phone but I’m not home, leave a message at the beep.” She’s playin tricks, I ain’t leavin no message. I know she’s gon say she was sleep. I don’t see her car but she probably ain’t far. I’mma go by her mama’s house. If she ain’t there, when I find her , on everything, I’mma show out. Uh, excuse me Ma’am. Sorry to bother you but has your daughter been by here? “No she hasn’t! She has a life. Please get off my steps my dear.” No she didn’t just slam her door. Ooh I’m about to go crazy. She’s probably at her best friend’s house. Ooh that girl is shady. A-Yo, Latrice! Where yo girl at? I’ve been callin her all night. “Well if she didn’t answer she must not want to talk. I ain’t got time for you a’ight.” Yea ok, so you say. But I know you know where she is. When you see her, make sure you tell her, She ain’t gotta play me like this.

Man this girl is trippin. I don’t know what to think. I’mma go down here to the spot. I need a drink. Wait a minute! I know dats not my girl over there with some other dude. If I go over and interrupt, she gon think I’m being rude. I’ll just sit back in the cut and watch them until they leave. Better yet, I’mma record a video and see who they believe. I knew this girl was cheatin but she say I’m just a fool. I’mma post this up on Instagram, face book and you tube. So I got charged with stalkin but I ain’t gon trip. I’ll be outta here in six months. Right back on the strip. ■

WHO IS THIS WOMAN When I see her all that goes through my mind, is what will I say when she comes near. The words I cannot find. Her beauty blinds my sight. I lose my train of thought. I babble and I mumble. She must think I have no swag, no finesse. But her presence hits me heavy like a shot right to the center of my chest. I breathe in deep, exhale long and hard. Never has a woman controlled my players card. Her smile makes me forget my first And last name. I can only imagine her touch would probably do the same. Who does she think she is, walking the way she walks. Stealing what’s left of my senses every time I hear her talk. Just when I think I got this, and she can’t control my life. Suddenly I realize… This woman who makes me stuh-stuh-stutter, is none other than my wife! ■

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW Yes Suh, Massa Suh, right away. Yes Ma’am! I’d be happy to nurse your child. Yes Suh, Massa Suh but my own wife is ill. Yes Ma’am I understand but my children haven’t seen me in days. Son, see that no man takes your pride from you. My daughter, you are worth more than your breasts and your thighs. I am not a Boy! I am a Man! I am not a Nigger! I am a Human being! I do not want handouts. I want to achieve. I don’t want excuses. I want acceptance. Miss Doctor Negro. Mr. Professor of Color. Miss Mayor Black Woman. Mr. African American President of the United States! Wus up my nigga? Smoke this, drink this. Look at her butt. School? Work? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Handcuffs and chains. Food stamps and public aid. Illiteracy and lack of education. Humiliation and degradation. Who wants Freedom, Justice and Equality? To whom does Acceptance, Achievement and Acknowledgement belong? Yesterday’s whipping scars and slave brandings replaced with today’s tattoo markings and prison numbers. White Social Workers and Foster Mothers nursing Black children. Where’s the sacrifice? Where’s the pride in sagging pants that expose a man’s dignity? Where’s the worth in a woman who gives her body away? Where’s the achievement in dropping out of school? Where’s the acceptance behind a jail cell. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow! Where’s the difference? DO YOU KNOW?

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BE CAREFUL Be careful of the hand you shake and of the friend you make whose smile is a fake and whose word you mistake for truth. Their eyes may shine but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s darkness behind the cold words that seem kind but do not be blind to immaturity disguised as youth. Choose wisely those with whom you deal, who come to steal. Your joy they kill. Their falsehood appears to be real but their envy reveals the lie. They are movers and shakers. Not givers but takes. Like a bakery without the bakers. Like Kobi without the Lakers. Just an apple! Too small to be a pie. â&#x2013;

PHENOMINAL MAN Confident and strong, yet humble and kind. Not afraid to be wrong, dignity defined. His path is straight, his steps and his plan. His achievements are great THIS PHENOMINAL MAN He speaks with ease and walks with poise. Truth and Wisdom is his stronghold. Love and laughter are his joys. With his shoulders held back and his head held high, he stands. His eyes shine bright THIS PHENOMINAL MAN He works hard into the night putting his needs on the shelf as he takes care of his family and gives of himself. Often imitated, never duplicated. Envied, admired. Loved and hated. Misjudged, falsely accused. Slandered, Readily abused. Raise yourself erect and Stand, Stand, Stand. YOU PHENOMINAL MAN Behind his back there are whispers. In front of his face, small talk. On his feet there are sometimes blisters. For long is the distance he must walk. Unwavering loyalty he displays. For honesty and diplomacy are among his ways. His smile is bright as the sun’s rays, yet never ending is the debt he pays. He’ll keep on running til the race has been ran. Get in line! Waste no time! To stand beside this PHENOMINAL MAN! ■ 23

EXPECTATIONS Disappointment stems from expectations. Therefore I expect more, not of others but of myself. For to expect anything of others is to put trust in imperfection. My own limitations I know well. If I give to my limit I did not fail. By leaning on the promise of another man, I weaken my power and strength to stand. So when failure comes by his own hand, It is not he that bends at the knee it is I. Disappointed once again. Should I expect that I may achieve? The effort I expend gives reason to believe. If I so lack or I succeed, disappointed I am not. Disappointed, no indeed! â&#x2013;

TAKERS If all you do is take, you never have anything to give. You use up all you get, you feed on it to live. If all you do is take you’ll never really have. So busy keeping yet nothing ever lasts. If all you do is take, you never get enough. You’re like a hobo on the street, pushing around a bunch of stuff. If all you do is take, one day when you really need, You’ll reach into your surplus and all you’ll find is greed. ■

MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER Mother you are Beautiful! Not because your hair reflects rays of orange and yellow like the sun setting over the dessert sand. Not because of your buttermilk and honey-coated skin that glistens from the diamonds on your hand. Mother you are Beautiful because behind those eyes that peer deeply are wisdom, truth and dignity. Mother you are Beautiful because in you laughter I hear the song of birds. Your joy is my poetry and your kindness is my spoken word. Mother you are Beautiful not because your dress matches your shoes and your legs make men stutter. Mother you are Beautiful because of all the things you could have been, You chose to be my Mother. â&#x2013;

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE FEMALE Just because you’re female doesn’t make you a woman. Life experience, wisdom, endurance and then… Dignity, grace and beauty within. Just because you’re female doesn’t make you a woman. Not the children you bear, not the clothes that you wear. Not the hips that hold weight, nor the lips that you paint. Just because you’re female doesn’t make you a woman. Style, poise, tact and tenacity. Swag, confidence, speech and chastity. Not the walk that you walk But the debts that you’ve paid. Not the talk that you talk But the times that you’ve prayed. Just because you’re female, Does Not Make you a Woman! ■

THE WOMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ANTHEM (PMS-ING) P is for the Pain in my abdomen that makes me want to Pimp slap all the People I see. M is for the Mean looks I give my Man just for looking at Me. S is for the Smart comments that I Shoot out of my mouth without thinking. I is for the Ignorant things he says that make me stare at him without blinking. N is for No, Not Gonna, Never and Need I repeat myself. G is for Go away, Get out of my face and Get it yourself. â&#x2013;

CHECK THAT DNA Young love is the best love, at least that’s what some people say. But if you know what I know, you better check that DNA. Pretty eyes, pretty hair, pretty skin yea that’s cool. But do you know what kind of heart they have? Have you met that inner fool? She’s so sweet and she’s so fine. But I bet she didn’t tell you she hears voices in her mind. He buys out the store for you, takes you out on your first romantic trip. It was there that he put his hands on you, when everything flipped the script. She brought you over to meet her mom and she seemed real nice, but her Dad is in the pen for murder doing life. He was raised by his Granma and she’s a God-fearing Saint. But his mother was a street walker so we know for sure she ain’t. He never knew his dad but he sees him now and then. He works down at the plasma center but he turns his back when his dad comes in. Young love is the best love, that’s what some people say. But if you know what I know, you better check that DNA. Now you’ve got a little boy with those same cute eyes. The teacher says he has a reading problem you act surprised. Your pretty little girl has good hair and pretty skin. But she has violent outbursts and fits of anger no one can contend. As you look around for someone to blame, you can’t help but hear me say. Young love is Blind Love! You better check that DNA! ■ 29

YOU KNOW I’M CRAZY RIGHT Oh no! Someone slashed my tires last night. Yea well about that… You know I’m crazy right…? It’s just that when I saw you with your mother, I thought she was some other Chic you was messin with. Babe you have got to stop trippin. You’ll never catch me slippin. Besides you’re the only girl I like. Then don’t look in your closet and I know you just bought it… Well you know I’m crazy right…. No you didn’t! Not my Gucci coat. That’s it. You gotta go! Get your stuff and start packin. I ain’t in no mood to fight. Baby, say you don’t mean that. I said I was sorry. And you know I’m crazy right… Doggone right you’re crazy. You should be locked away. Where’s the phone, I’m callin the cops. I ain’t playin with you today. I wouldn’t pick up the phone if I was you and I wouldn’t turn on the light. I told you I was sorry… CLICK…. CLICK…. And you know I’m crazy right…. TICK….. TICK….. BOOM!!!!! ■

UNTITLED Ignorance does not produce positive results. Ignorance produces ammunition to be used against the ignorant. It gives justification for injustice to continue. Ignorance is the reason for entrapment and enslaves those who choose its ways. Knowledge is what saves. Wisdom is what it produces and application of knowledge and wisdom is what promotes positive results. Who can expect to receive justice from the Unjust when He Himself has acted Unjustly? Who can receive a pardon whenever one is granted, with unclean hands? Does he not tarnish the very pardon granted? If you cannot provide an explanation for your actions, all you have is an excuse, thus, giving others the authority to explain you. Taking away your voice. â&#x2013;

MY DADDY “You’re just like your Daddy!” I’ve heard that more times than I can count. But what my Daddy taught me is what it’s all about. He taught me how to love and not to ever hate. He taught me the kind of man to choose and the one to never date. Not always by his words but mostly by his deeds. He taught me to be self-sufficient and to care for my own needs. When I think about my Daddy, I think of many things. Like the smell of dirt and concrete mixed with Kool Filter Kings. I think of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes singing “I Miss You.” Johnny Guitar Watson and Isaac Hayes too. I remember Daddy cutting hair on the front porch. My brother’s friends were his prey. And no matter the horrible job he did, they’d still come back another day. I loved the Cadillacs he drove and that fabulous ‘gangsta lean.’ Daddy was a big man with a big fist, but I’d never call him mean. My Daddy has grown old now but I still love him just the same. You say I’m just like him, You better know it! And … BIG JIM ROBERTS Is his name! ■

LISTEN Listen to the diction that forms an encryption of the message that gives a depiction of fiction but the truth is not missin…. You must listen… The mission is fruition in a manner that makes the eyes glisten and the heart flutter by volition giving way to complete submission until all is risen and there’s a major collision that prohibits derision and causes a revision of the vision itself.. Listen with the intention of comprehension of the definition of this coalition of words that you’ve been given. There’s no omission, nor addition. It’s all in there, if you just Listen! ■

VERSIFIER I’m a Versifier but you don’t know. Close your eyes and watch me flow. Smooth like oil, sharp like pain, my lyrics drip down like a Summer rain. Soft to the touch with a subtle sting. Close your eyes and see the chimes ring. When I speak you see it, I’m not just heard. Like the melodious sound of the Humming Bird. I’m a Versifier but you don’t know. Close your eyes and watch me flow. Watch as my rhymes leap off the page. Grasping for you like a tiger in a cage. My lyrical ropes wrapped tightly around your wrist. They only get tighter the more you twist. To free yourself from my rhythmic grip, you must relax and focus and let your mind slip. See the verses unfold in your mind as they intoxicate you like fine wine. I’m a Versifier but you don’t know. Close your eyes and watch me flow. ■

EMPTY SPACES Poetry, Floetry, Spoken Word The way you felt when at first you heard The ripple of the sea, the trickle of a tear The hush of a breeze, the footsteps of a deer A thunderous roar from a lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s den An untold secret kept deep within Happiness, joy, sadness and pain Cries of laughter, dancing in the rain Footprints in the sand, lipstick on a glass Handprints on a window, a dandelion in tall grass What stimulates your heart? What touches your soul? Where does your mind wonder when the darkness turns cold? What makes you smile so big is covers your whole face? What overflows your spirit and fills your Empty Space? â&#x2013;

HOW DO I SAY Dear Uncle Don; How do I say I miss you when missing you doesn’t describe the void I feel without you How do I say my soul still hurts when my throat is so full of pain I can’t even get the words out How do I say music doesn’t sound the same when I haven’t been able to listen long enough to hear How do I say I long to see you again, when I look around my house and I see you in every room How do I say your footsteps wake me up at night and your smile puts me back to sleep again How do I say I love you when you can no longer say it back How do I say goodbye when I still can’t believe you’re gone How do I speak your name in past tense and hold back the tears How do I end this poem as if these words are sufficient How do I….. ■

GRANNY When at first I put the pen to the paper to write this I had no rhyme no rhythm that would fit this For the woman of whom I speak Is worth more than the melody I seek To tell about her She is strength multiplied by ten Her love overflows from within She has creamy buttermilk skin and can chop wood better than most men The wonders of her being, to some, may be uncanny But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no mystery to those who have the privilege to call her Granny Granny played dodge ball with us Watched Bruce Lee movies with us Instilled an abundance of love in us Gives herself unselfishly to All of us To have her in our lives is an immeasurable pleasure For my Granny is a priceless gem, a precious jewel, a timeless treasure â&#x2013;

FREESTYLE FLOW You’re my husband, my lover, my best friend and my crush When you walk into the room, when you say my name, you still make me blush I need you, I like you, I still need to know I excite you. Freestyle for you, I think not… Just these feeling for you that I got ■

BONUS PAGE I’m ok with what you say, and I might be cool with what you do But if the motive in your eyes catches me by surprise, I’ve figured out the real you! A Peacemaker is the quietest person on earth. A very valuable person with unprecedented worth. Negative feelings and emotions are what they hide. For the sake of sparing everyone else’s feelings they take everything in stride. When you really pay attention, when you really stop and see, you realize what’s most important now, didn’t use to be. You start to count the seconds, the minutes of everyday. You start to hold on to that which has value and the crap and clutter you throw away. ■

Empty Spaces is a brilliant collection of poems written by the incredibly talented Published Author, Andrea Yvette. Each poem stirs up a completely different emotion and allows you to visualize every verse as if you were standing in the midst of its theme. As a passionate Versifier, Andrea Yvette allows her readers a glimpse into her own heart and mind in such poems as “A Southern Flavored Love,” “Determination,” “An Inward Smile,” and “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” Empty Spaces will be filled inside you as you stroll through the pages of this book. You will laugh, you may shed a tear, you will analyze, and you may even wonder. But one thing you absolutely will not do is doubt the extraordinary talent and literary 40 genius of Andrea Yvette.