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Book by
Jeannette Drake
Journey Within: A Healing
Playbook
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Obama Prayer
By Jeannette Drake
Lord, I couldn’t
make it if it wasn’t for you. I don’t completely know
why you chose Obama to be our next president, but I know
you have. Hope is more than a word; more than a feeling.
Hope manifests in the body and tenor of that slim young
man whose essence strikes fear and denial in the hearts,
minds, and souls of racists and casts doubts in the
minds of non-believers who need to turn and run away.
“How can this be?” they wonder.
Well Lord, I see
Divine Destiny written all over him. Lord, I know you
plucked him from the garden the way you plucked Harriet
and Sojourner and yes, Moses, too. You are a strange
God, set in your ways, full of irony. You love to play
tricks; to upset the logic of learned men. That is why I
adore you, God, my father, my Mother, my Beloved Holy
Spirit, and my Jesus Buddy. You are full of whimsy and
surprise that delights; sometimes puzzles and on
occasion even frightens me. But, it’s okay Lord. I trust
you. So far, you have never failed me. When I need
bread and butter or a parking space, you still come
through. You remain a Great God though it’s taken me
more than sixty-five earth years to finally glimpse your
wisdoms. And, a glimmer is all I’ve gotten Lord.
Everything in this
country is an absolute mess. I don’t agree with the
stock clerk in my neighborhood grocery store who says
Obama doesn’t know what he’s getting into. I’m sure he
knows. The wolves, the coyotes, the jackals, the foxes
and all those other predators want to devour him. Even
now Lord, I’m certain the vipers of evil plot to
construct and take him down. But I know you, Lord, I
trust you. I understand a fraction of your mystery, your
majesty. Obama will not be taken down, for you, Oh Lord,
you have lifted him up, for reasons that only you fully
understand, at this hour and in this place.
I don’t have the
time, energy or patience to ask rhetorical questions or
engage in scholarly debates about Obama. I am a tired,
old lady poet molded by suffering and healed by your
gracious spirit and I know you when I see, smell, touch,
taste, hear and intuit you. Dem Bones, Lord . . .
Dem Dry Bones, Lord . . . You are here now, Lord. You
have brought forth a princely servant come to question
and call up liberty, justice and freedom for all our
children. You have blessed America. For this, I give
thanks. Amen.
March 8, 2008
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Jeannette Drake, a licensed clinical
social worker, specializes in Dream and Expressive work in
group settings. She has conducted individual and group
sessions with adults, adolescents and children in schools,
colleges, hospitals, prisons, churches, shelters, and art
galleries as case worker, counselor, psychotherapist, teacher,
tutor, and writer.
Her writings have been published in Honey
Hush! An Anthology of African American Writer's Humor, Callaloo:
A Journal of African American Arts & Letters, The
Southern Review, New Virginia Review, The Book
of Hope & The World Healing Books, The Sun: A
Magazine of Ideas, Richmond Free Press, Coloring
Book: An Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by
Multicultural Writers, DisabilityWorld, a
bilingual international web-zine and other journals and
magazines. |
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She has performed as a gospel soloist,
acted in James Baldwin's The Amen Corner and leads a
monthly book discussion and creative writing group at her
church.
Her visual art has been exhibited at
Richmond City Hall, the Carillon at Byrd Park and the Richmond
Public Library (July 1-August 3, 2005).
A graduate of Hampton University and
Virginia Commonwealth University, she lives in Richmond.
May 2005
Journey Within: A Healing
Playbook
By Jeannette Drake
Journey Within: A Healing Playbook
is a fun tool for anyone interested in personal growth,
learning how to be more creative or gaining a deeper insight
into The Divine. Section One includes 13 original color
abstracts that invite the viewer to intentionally go on a
playful, inner journey. An optional guide of play instructions
is included.
In Section Two the author's
spiritual autobiography provides an inspirational explanation
for each drawing.
This Book Is for Someone
You Love! |
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The White Masters of the
World
From
The World and Africa, 1965
By W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois’
Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization
(Fletcher)
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Ancient African Nations
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If you like this page consider making a donation
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Negro Digest /
Black World
Browse all issues
1950
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
____ 2005
Enjoy!
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan
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The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
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Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for
Slavery
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The
Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804
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January 1, 1804 -- The Founding of
Haiti
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posted 5 May 2008 |
