Never Give Up Hope
A Book of Poetry for the Living
by
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SWEET LOVE Sweet Love Sweet Love ODE OF LOVE Once those wedding vows said. You kept close to your heart. Unbroken and unstaunched and Black Love from the start. We gazed into each others eyes and said its gonna work. Now 40 years later we say--loves go us hooked. Who says Black Love doesn’t last. Who says Black Princes don’t ride into town and sweep off the girl on his horse. Well just look at Mr. Dicks whose carried his Queen. I say with a smile I say with a gleam Congratulations to a glorious dream. A love that withstood time. A love that’s held on. A love under God for all time. As you look into each others eyes and reaffirm your vows remember to Love more now than then. For now is the test. For now Love is best. IT has cooked it has simmered and has now passed the test. Forty more years I know are in store. Forty more years of heart aglow. Love on another. Don’t stop!
(This poem was dedicated to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Dicks. It was written February 17, 1996) A PRAYER OF GREAT THANKS We pray for you mercy
Sweet is you Love
So dear is your caress
Always giving me
The best of the best
You’ve carried my torch through
Thick and thin
Never thinking of yourself
But, sharing the Love from within
We pray for your forgiveness
We pray for your Love
That you give us each and everyday
We pray for the sunshine and the blue skies of day
The rain that washes away the pain
We give thanks for Your Son and the Blood He Shed
To give us life and light
To our once darkened hearts
Thank you Thank you Dear Lord for all
Thank you Thank you
Dear Lord
Thank you for this day of celebration
For giving us the opportunity to praise your Name
In song, in worship, in prayer, and in deed
Thank you for this celebration of Life
For it would not have been possible if it were not
FOR YOUR SON
JESUS CHRIST
Thank you for our children
For without them we would have no future no legacy
For our elders without their wisdom we could not see the future
Give us wisdom and insight so that we may know Your Word
And feed upon it for strength and nourishment
May you give our church family strength to hold fast
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About the Book
This book is a compilation of poetry written from 1974 to the present. It reflects just one African American’s perspective on the world. It isn't necessarily so for everyone. Just through the eyes of one. This book started out as a hobby, but it blossomed into reflections and serious poetry as the author grew. Through the joys and sorrows, through the good and bad of it all it is reflected in this work. Read, reflect, and enjoy!! I’d like to thank my family for believing in me and believing that I could make my dream come true. To my husband Robert who supported me in getting this project started and has loved me unconditionally throughout the years. This book is as much apart of me as it is also you. I LOVE YOU! To my children, Angela and Mark who are always a source of my joy. I thank them for getting me through. Your unconditional love and support has gotten me through many days when I thought it was not possible. I hope this book will give you something to hand down to your children. Thanks Mom and Dad and sisters Gail and Elaine! I love you! Thanks for giving me the memories and a family. Thank you for instilling in me a strength that was needed to get out in the world and make it. And thank you for giving me a history to pass along to my children and family. Thanks Granny Birks, Big Ma, Grandma Lewis, Grandpa Lewis, and Grandpa Birks. Your love sacrifice and determination will never be forgotten. Your light and beautiful spirits are always with me!! Thanks also to the aunties, uncles, and godparents who also instilled in me heritage and love throughout the years. And lest I forget the source of my talent, my strength, my spiritual growth, my faith . . . I thank you God for all the many blessings you have bestowed upon me for giving me the talent to relay your message through my fingers. I thank you for making me your vehicle by which you speak! I thank you for you unconditional and eternal love. When the going got rough and I had literally no one to turn to you have always been there holding my hand and lifting me up. Your council and support in whatever I do has always been there. Thank you for helping make my dream come true! May it magnify and glorify you name.
About the Author
Karen Birks-Pace was born Oct. 24th, 1957 to the parents of Carl and Barbara Birks in Detroit Michigan. She has been living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1963 when her parents moved there from Sacramento California. She attended high school at Messmer High School and graduated in 1975. Karen attended college at the University of Wisconsin, majoring in communications with a minor in public relations. She graduated in 1980. She married Robert B Pace III in 1986 and has two children Angela, fourteen, and Mark, ten. She is currently in graduate school at Cardinal Stritch University attaining a Master of Science in Management.