This selection of poems is the culmination of many years of writing. I first began writing poetry as a teenager. It was then, as it is now an outlet to express on paper what I could not do in words. There has been a definite progression in my method of writing as I have gotten older and also as my mental health has gone through periods of deterioration and subsequent stabilization. This cycle has been a major force in my life for many years. It has been only in recent years , through the right combination of therapy, medication, hard work and perseverance that I have begun to turn my life around. I wish to recognize and thank all of those who have contributed to where I am today: An intensive therapy program I attended, it's owner, my therapists, doctors, staff and clients. This is where my real recovery began. MHS, its owners, my therapists, staff and group who have helped me continue to grow and offer support. My psychiatrist for her knowledge and wisdom. Chelsea Madison, Michael Green and the others at Xlibris Publishing for their help in getting this project off the ground. My parents for bringing me into this world and my sisters and brothers. Tiri, Neli, Vanta, Ati, Chibong, my Hulkster, Umm, Fred, Edd, Miz, Spell and many others for chats, having fun and other assorted ventures. And most of all my family, Robert, Jonathon, Anna, Billy and Maddie our dog for all their love and encouragement.

Many of us may live our lives without ever stopping to think What if I couldnt see? We hardly ever ask ourselves this question because, to say the least, we take or eyes for granted. I, like most people, had never thought about it until 11th January 2008. My mother came to wake me up that morning and asked what I was still doing in bed and confidently I replied, It is still dark outside Mum. She told me it was 8am and the sun was shining bright (a typical African morning!). I rubbed my eyes, opened them wider and yelled out, I cant see! I cant see! That was the beginning of a long journey through darkness.

This is a collection of poems, written sporadically, over a period of three years, taken from Christina's diary during a twenty-two-year-long battle with depression and anorexia. She found writing poetry helped her express her inner turmoil as she tried to find her way out. Join her in "A JOURNEY THROUGH DARKNESS", you're not alone.

Azende, a Tamrin commander seeks out the Medjays, his tribe’s last hope against the Aksumite occupation. But instead he finds Joval and her small clan of exiled mercenaries. Together they must build an army capable of destroying their enemies, the Pharaoh of Kemet and the Emperor of Aksum... Joval, the last General of the Medjays wants vengeance for her fallen clan. But ancient soul stealing concubus will stop at nothing to keep her from her destiny... Tefenon, the Crown Prince of Kemet never understood why he was called the Child of Ra since birth even though he was born into a kingdom that only worships Set, the storm-god of chaos. He is about to fi nd out... This is their saga.... www.journeysaga.com

My Journey through Darkness is about someone who suffered depression for many years. With the help of a new doctor, right meds, counselor and Almighty God, she finds her way through the darkness. She shares a lot of her most inner thoughts in the way of poetry. Her hope is to let people who are going through the darkness know they are not alone. There are people who have experienced the same emotions. Her hope is to let them know there are good resources out there. You just have to reach out and grab them!

Why does knowledge make us see things we don't want to see? Why does it make us suffer more than it makes us happy? Why do we exist in a world with dominating curses more than blessings? Why can't we define the true meaning of happiness, and barely smell its odor? When are we going to finally start asking the right questions? Why are we down here on this planet, asked to seek perfection in an imperfect world? What was the true reason behind making Prophet Adam eat from the forbidden tree? When do artists finally reach their point of perfection? If human beings, animals and insects have their own psychology, what about other creatures among which are invisible ones? Not all explanations are mentioned in books But till when will we have questions without any answers? Searching for a way, some souls ask: Why does darkness exist, while light seems endless? We search for the key chain, while we don't even know which door is the right one! But, who's she; who astonished his life, captured the sundered pieces of his heart, and brought him the keys to tons of buried secrets the one who didn't fear touching his wounds, and the one who anticipated all his moves? Some masts are old enough to be one of the antiques the sea carries or swallows, yet it still supports the deck, controls the ship, and above its towering apex, it guides the captain It's still a lively organ in the giant space of the sea. He stood there, his body straight and solid as a mast, while erecting from such bemusements with the strength of a sailor, the knowledge of a captain and the vision of an artist, he sailed for his journey, toward the endless seas of the Universe

Sue A. Pike Sanders (1842-1931) traveled by rail from Delavan, Illinois, as part of the state's delegation to the Grand Army of the Republic encampment at San Francisco in 1886. A journey to, on and from the "golden shore" (1887) describes that leisurely trip west with stops in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Salt Lake City, Reno, and Sacramento. Once in San Francisco, Sanders provides details of the program for the G.A.R. convention and its attendant parades and receptions, Bay excursion cruise, and tours of Chinatown. She makes side trips to Oakland, San José, Napa Valley, the geysers, and Yosemite. In Southern California, Sanders and her party visit Los Angeles to embark on their return journey, which takes them to Flagstaff and Albuquerque.