Celebrate NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with the Charles County Public Library this year by checking out some of our local authors, as part of our Local Author Virtual Showcase! All of the authors showcased in this series responded to a call for submissions we placed over this summer, to highlight their work throughout the month of November. At CCPL we value the contributions our local authors make in sharing their knowledge and passion with our community. Make sure to check out our Local Author’s collection located at the Waldorf West Library.
CiCelia Jackson
Expression’s Embrace Volume 1: From Roses to Sparrows
(from the author: “From Roses to Sparrows is a book of poetry for teens, and both young and older adults, to be absorbed in the communication between older women, Roses, and young ladies, Sparrows. The expressions embrace the moments in life many women have journeyed, while also encouraging the understanding of one another to incite love and support. “We, each of us, are somebody’s Rose and/or Sparrow…”)
Dedicated to the Queens & Princesses, the integral communication between us as women and young ladies… I wrote this collection of poetry to give our blooming youth of little women something to ponder upon during their life’s journeys, as well as to speak to mature women to embrace the treasured privilege we have in teaching them. Whether you will need to laugh, to cry, to smile or to vent, I hope that there is something each of you can draw upon, relate to, become comforted by, or to even be inspired. I was asked, “Why did you choose the title: From Roses to Sparrows?” Well…roses have always been my favorite blossom, but the title didn’t really come into fruition until one of my “little sisters” started to call me Rose. She said it matched my mothering, nurturing and sweet side. This same “little sister” I had earlier nicknamed Sparrow. So this book, these expressions, stems from a friendship between a Rose and a Sparrow. I have many “little sisters” that I pray for on a daily basis to embrace the window of maturity and become beautiful women, spiritual women, and respected women. I know life lands us in many puddles and takes us through different courses, but I don’t want you to ever give up on yourselves, but especially and more importantly…on life. We, each of us, are all someone’s Rose and/or Sparrow and, at times, I feel we need to be reminded of such.
Currently a resident in Maryland, but I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, IL in 1980 (which, by the way, is also the hometown of one of my favorite poets, Gwendolyn Brooks). Also among my favorite poets and writers are none other than Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, Dudley Randall, William Shakespeare, and Walter Dean Myers. I have been awarded for my poetry throughout my school years, including the esteemed Dudley Randall Poetry Award, presented by The Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing in 1997. “Hate” was the award winning literary work and was signed by Gwendolyn herself. WHAT AN HONOR! This poem will be featured in my 3rd poetry book volume: Love to Love what Love can Be. Once an aspiring author, I am now living my passion, proud of my first published and released book, From Roses to Sparrows. Life may be like a box of chocolates, but at least you can enjoy some of the flavors!
