Time to Go Back to Africa...Sounds of the Ocean

Next year is almost here and I'm sitting at my laptop reflecting on my trip to Africa over 8 years ago. Something inside my soul has been yearning to go back. So next year I'm finally going to make the journey back with my good friend Raashida who frequents the continent quite often. Enjoy this piece I wrote on my last journey and reflect on the last time you went on a spiritual excursion.


Sounds of the Ocean

Listen…she said…Stand still…
Close your eyes and listen to what they said
The ancestors were there and the spirits beside me
Guiding me to the ocean
I stood still
As I looked into the clear blue water of the Indian Ocean
I felt Yemaya as I was welcomed into her home
Simply beautiful
As I stood at the shore I prayed
Giving many thanks to those who walked before me
Those who have shown me and those who are with me
The ocean holds the spirits of our ancestors who were enslaved
They make the world go round as they talk to me
Through the sound of the ocean
Just listen my friend said as she grabbed my hand
I stood there and looked at the lay of the land
Standing in Africa
On an African beach in Durban where I stood and listened to the waves crashing, children laughing and the wind talking
As I stood there I reflected back on my life and knew that everything happened for a reason
Standing here as the season changes before me
Reminiscing on all the moments in time with a deep sigh of relief
I am here and alive
Breathing in the air of salt water
Listening to the wind and watching the waves crashing
Here we stand at the Indian Ocean on the coast of Durban
Once again just listen…shhhhh…
He is here …listen to what they have to say and give thanks
Listen…our ancestors are here.


Copyright (c) Serena Wills 2008
All Rights Reserved

Divine Wryte Cafe Press Shop is Now Open...

Last night I was up until 12am adding images to my Cafe Press website. I had to convert my poems into JPEG images and upload them onto the site and then put them on cool products.

Choose from four poems on a variety of products such as post cards, magnets, wall clocks, journals, keep sake boxes, tiles, bags, etc. More to come after the new year!

The four poems I decided to post are:

Music Makes Me High (you can read the entire piece on my blog)

ReConStruCtion (just posted this as well on my blog a couple of weeks ago)

Good Ole Lovin female and male edit (newer piece for couples who are in that crazy, good ole love)!

Sorority Love (also known as Beautiful Delta for my sorors).

Check it out and order poetic Christmas gifts today!!!! My shop's site is www.cafepress.com/divinewryte

Your dreams can come true...just believe. Peace.

It's Here! Order Your Copy of Gumbo for the Soul!

I'm truly blessed to be a contributing author in Gumbo for the Soul: Here's Our Child-Where's the Village! It is here! Today it was launched and is available for purchase on Barnes and Noble website at http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Gumbo-for-the-Soul/Beverly-Black-Johnson/e/9781440101267/?itm=3

OR

You can purchase it now on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Gumbo-Soul-Heres-Child-Wheres-Village/dp/1440101264/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228787892&sr=1-2

Books are $11.95 plus shipping on this website!


This book is special to me as it talks about adoption, foster care and the perspectives of what families go through. There are compelling stories, essays, poems, etc.

Two of my gems (my sisters) are adopted. Christina is 19 years old and was born to a crack addicted mother. This is truly a compelling story as I discovered her while volunteering for my high school community service hours. Her story is entitled A Diamond in the Rough.


Ayana (deceased) was born to my Aunt Doretha in 1983. Her story is titled Against the Odds. Aunt Doretha died of AIDS complications in 1983 and my Mother promised to care for Ayana who suffered from severe brain damage and medical complications. On September 22nd, 2007 at the sweet age of 24 she passed away. I know she is protecting us and is proud of her big sister.

The book cover is designed by Synthia Saint James, the forward is written by Rawsistaz Literary Group Founder Tee C. Royal and the back cover written by Bruce George (co-founder of Def Poetry Jam). The editor of this book is none other than Beverly Black Johnson who has been absolutely amazing during this process.


I'm blessed to say these are my first published pieces. God is in the blessing business. Thank you to all that have encouraged me and pushed me along on my journey. Stay tuned for more pieces to be published from yours truly in 2009.

Peace.