Archive for the ‘3) Material by JNS’ Category
Posted on February 28, 2011 - by jennifer
Dear God
Dear God – poem from “For the Love…” by Jennifer N. Shannon
Dear God It’s me again. Asking for all the things my mind can imagine, thanking you for all the things You’ve given so freely. Contemplating the length of time it’s taken me to write this. I apologize, realizing I have taken for granted my life, health, strength, family to call in time of need. My job in this time of financial insecurity. Clarity of thought: Yes I still have sense enough to thank You. And call You even after long absences.
In the midst of this prayer, my mind travels to places I can see only when I close my eyes. Refocus. This is time for me and God to reconnect. I tell Him about my life, where I’ve gone wrong, things I wish I’d done differently; quick to add that I have no regrets, as if He doesn’t all ready have this personal insight into my life. I continue with, I have a confession or two. I’m scared of death. Scared not only of my own passing into the unknown but those who are important to me. I am afraid not to have those I’m closest to be there when I need to hear their voices. Who will I have in my life to keep me sane if those I know and love are not here?
Another fear I have is being alone. At times that’s exactly how I feel. Like I’m in this world and no one hears me. Friends seem to be fewer and fewer as time progresses and even those who are my friends aren’t always there when I need them. Next subject!
There are several truths I’ve learned – Keep living, keep laughing, tomorrow is not promised, life “ain’t” fair, You did not give me the spirit of fear (though I still worry more than I should) and You are in control even when life seems to be in complete turmoil.
Now I’m drawing a blank. Not on all the wonderful things You’ve done. No, I can jot down an entire notebook of things You have done for me even when I don’t deserve one line of Your goodness. No, I’m drawing a blank on where to go from here. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? I’m here but not sure where I belong. Standing before You, waiting on direction. Unable to move until I hear from You. Not sure where I’m going, if others will embrace my words and accept my thoughts. Frightened of being a failure; almost equally afraid to succeed. All I ask is for You to help me find my way. Help me see what’s next. Help You shine through me. Let my actions speak louder than words.
As always, please continue to protect me, my family and friends from dangers seen and unseen. I am nothing without You. I need You more than I ever did and imagine that I’ll continue to need You more as I grow and experience the sadness and happiness this life will offer. And believe me I look forward to the good times. (I thank You in advance)
I guess this is it for now. We’ll talk later. Thank You. I love You.
-JNS
Posted on February 14, 2011 - by jennifer
Happy Valentine’s Day…jussomelines by JNS
Lovemaking:
Your lips have found a part of me that is foreign to others.
Tongue gliding its way between and through, way down under.
Tantalizing my body.
Holding me motionless in a world between ecstasy and fantasy.
The way your hands grip, then ease their way to the softest parts of me.
Touching each curve.
Teasing each sensation.
Knowing exactly how and what and where my spots are.
You whisper, without any words, how good this feels.
Expressing passion so deep, I can barely breathe.
We are so close, so tight, so intertwined.
We are one.
Lovemaking that makes my heart flutter and forces me to sing an entire octave higher than normal.
We share the most intense, coveted moments.
And my body urns to have them, over and over,
And over again.
-JNS
Posted on February 11, 2011 - by jennifer
Foreplay and Passion…jussomelines by JNS
Foreplay:
Foreplay is an existence of body and spirit.
It’s a touch on the nape of the neck. Gentle and thoughtful.
A kiss on the earlobe. Teeth grazing the softness of bottom lips.
Pulling. Tugging at affection.
It’s the scent of lust. Stained in the skin.
Garnished, covered by emotion.
A moment.
A thought.
A feeling.
It’s the prelude to love…
Passion:
Ain’t nothing cute ‘bout this lovemaking.
Animalistic. Exciting.
Tearing at clothes, hands aggressively grabbing hair.
Lips connecting but only momentarily while on the way to another part of the body.
Fingernails scratching, breathing intense.
On top of the kitchen counter. On the floor, in the car…
Only one way to calm this desire.
This longing.
Like a drug flowing through the bloodstream. It seizes all control.
Today, romance has tumbled out the window for a glimpse into passion…
-JNS
Posted on September 9, 2010 - by jennifer
Imagine…The Harlem Renaissance
Let me give you some background on this blog…actually I just recently presented below as a speech during Toastmasters. (Yes I am a member of Toastmasters and I am enjoying the experience greatly) For those of you unfamiliar with Toastmasters, it’s an international organization that provides a safe and nurturing learning environment to become a better speaker and/or leader. I won’t dig to deeply into why I chose to join, other than I want to be a better communicator when I’m in front of an audience…
Anyway, I gave this speech and although I didn’t feel as prepared as I could have been, it went quite well. I truly accomplished the objectives for the speech which was vocal variety. (btw, plethora was the word for that day and see how I nicely incorporated it into my speech – lol) I was very emotional as I traveled, through words, back to the 1920’s to explore the Harlem Renaissance…I couldn’t believe how I felt as I recounted a period in history which started to infuse Black literature, art, politics, etc into American society and change not only how Blacks were viewed by others but more importantly how we viewed ourselves…
Imagine with me as I take you back to the Harlem Renaissance… 
Imagine…the year 1923, city Harlem. You’re surrounded by a culture of youth, emerging jazz legends, and a sense of pride. Being an intellectual automatically made you prominent. Elevating your people made you Black.
This period in history is known as the Harlem Renaissance…
The Harlem Renaissance was a critical movement in Black history. It marked a time when black music, literature and perspective as a whole was evolving. Imagine, as I take you back, to the early 20’s, when young Black writers, artist, intellectuals, and musicians migrated north; to Harlem. Writers such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, political activists, Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Dubois and musicians such as Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday were all a part of this movement.
A little more than a half-century prior to the Harlem Renaissance, slavery was still a big part of America, therefore many Blacks still thought of themselves as being in that era. The most important thing about the Harlem Renaissance is that this generation of Blacks wanted to change the mindsets of Black people. They wanted them to understand that they could be doctors and lawyers and professors, and writers. They wanted Black people to know that they could be whatever they wanted.
As we revisit this space…Imagine venues such as the Cotton Club which only allowed white patrons to enter but featured the most talented Black entertainers of the time. Now travel to an all Black establishment and imagine that when you walk into the room you see a plethora of Black people all enjoying themselves. Men dressed in three-piece pin stripped suits, shoes shined, hair slick, while women wore fitted flared dresses and their hair was immaculate. Everyone laughing, enjoying life, while swing dancing to the sounds of those who would change the echo of jazz forever.
Or how about stepping into the Harlem YMCA, often referred to as the “living room of the Harlem Renaissance,” where black political leaders and lyricist of poetry and literature gathered to discuss black thought, religion, politics and education.
When I started to look into this time period, I thought how interesting it would be to live during this era…I can imagine myself, sitting quietly on the bus, traveling from SC – somewhat fearful of life away from a small town yet hopeful that there’s more to life than cotton fields and limited opportunity. I can envision seeing the tall buildings and lights for the first time and being in awe of the city. I can also see myself meeting Langston Hughes and sharing ideas about writing and expanding the work of Blacks to a mainstream audience.
Then I see myself being escorted into a club by a handsome gentleman, where the daper Cab Callaway would be performing.
I can only imagine being a part of this history, our history. Where value was placed on changing the image of not only how whites and other races reacted to and thought of Blacks but also how we thought of ourselves. We were changing. How we wanted to live was changing. How we wanted to be perceived was changing. Not that those of old such as Harriet Tubman or Frederick Douglass and others didn’t also want change. They did. They desperately sought and fought for fairness and equality but this new generation of Black folks were after more than equal rights. They wanted the Black mindset to change.
I can only imagine what it would have been like to speak to these prideful individuals or anyone who supported this movement. These were people who were proud of their Blackness, proud of their heritage, and who only wanted to make a difference.
I can only imagine…
-JNS
Posted on July 15, 2010 - by jennifer
jussomelines by ME – JNS
No blog…Just a few lines that I created the other night when I couldn’t get to sleep although I had been fully deprived of shut eye! Tired but still fully awake, this phrase raced to forefront of my mind! I love moments like these because they are so innocent and come from a place that unexpected but still full of solid – TRUTH!
B-E-Z My FRieNdS…
“…you made an impression on me…an imprint somewhere near emotions that won’t allow me to forget. wide awake with eyes closed tight, your spirit feeds my mind and listens to my heart…” – JNS