EMOTIONAL
BLACK GUY
COLLECTION OF POETRY + JOURNAL
ERIC THOMPSON, JR.
Et quunt anistrum ium is siti repeliqui
Published By Eternal Royalty Publications Copyright 2021 by Eric Thompson,
Jr.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permis-
sion in writing from the publisher.
ISBN:
WWW.ERICTHOMPSONJR.COM
FACEBOOK: ERIC THOMPSON JR
INSTAGRAM: ERIC_THOMPSONJR
EMAIL: [email protected]
Dedication
INTRODUCTION
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Eri
7
to look at life for what it really was. The loss of a parent is
something that paralyzes you, it’s as if your heart is literally
being ripped out of your chest.
For years I’ve been trying to recover my sanity that left me
when my mother died. I have lived the past nineteen years
from a fear driven and trauma based mindset. With every
accomplishment I have acquired I’ve also been sadly reminded
that something’s missing. Not just something, someone, the
woman whose womb I was cultivated in. I often wonder
what our relationship would be like and how my life would
have turned out had she still been here. I sporadically see her
in my dreams and it feels so real that waking up becomes a
literal nightmare. That saying that time heals all wounds is
false. I won’t act like I’m ok now that life has kept on for me.
What I will say is that I’ve been forced to be ok, what’s the
alternative?
When I lost my mama I also lost my mind and I’m on a
mission to recover it.
Welcome to my search for sanity!
These following poems all represent phases I’ve been through
at some point along my journey. I hope that everyone
reading this work is changed for the better. My goal is to
plant seeds of love, hope, laughter, fulfillment, redemption,
joy and satisfaction. I included questions with each poem in
order to provoke my readers’thoughts and to make this work
a conversation piece.
Eric Thompson, Jr.
TRIEDMEDITATION
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9
I’m Sane
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12
Mommy Issues
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I promise to let her love me!
13 13
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15
What’s fear??
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16
Thinking, dear God why did this happen to me
Over the years I’ve learned to deal with the trauma
Pops held us down, but we still miss our Mama
Now I Blame It On The Music
It provided me a sense of therapy and eased my heartache
I learned what strength really was and that I possess an infinite
amount
If you like anything I’ve said feel free to check my first book out
WWW.ERICTHOMPSONJR.COM
I appreciate you all for allowing me to conquer one of my fears
And helping me release things I’ve kept bottled up for years
Thank You!!
17 17
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19
I’m Sorry, kanneka
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20
Im sorry Kenneka!
Everybody involved deserves to die
Let their parents grieve as her mother cries
Im sorry Kenneka!
We’ve gotta take a stand, today’s the perfect time
She was taken advantage of, no more blind eyes
Im sorry Kenneka!
I didn’t realize until I became a fully grown man
That all these young girls are dealt this horrible hand
Im sorry Kenneka!
How the hell isn’t this national news all over the world
A bunch of cowards taking the innocence of these young girls
Im sorry Kenneka!
Rape culture is kept alive by worthless guys
Too many mothers hold it under disguise
Im sorry Kenneka!
I stand here today in pain, I’m sick of the slaughter
I’ll put my life on the line to protect our daughters
I’m sorry Sha’Meka, Rae’Nesha, Aliyah, Ty’Maiya
And to any girl or woman who has had to deal with these evil
fools that feel entitled to your body
Im sorry!
Rape or molestation will not be tolerated. We have to take a
stand to eradicate this sickness. I stand here today while you
witness
We’re not tolerating it anymore!
21 21
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23
This Can’t Be Life
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24
The person is snatched right away
Have you ever said goodbye to your mom, not knowing it would
be the final one?
Have you ever dreamed about your friend randomly one night
and get the call he
was murdered the next night?
Have you ever sat in the car while your dad got the call that his
mother has passed
away? Or another car ride where your pops pulls over and started
to cry?
Have you ever been stripped of your innocence and forced to
grow up
prematurely?
I have and I wouldn’t wish any of that on my worse enemy!
25
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BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
27
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28
observations
(YHU\ GD\ RP WKH PRPHQW , DZDNH XQWLO WKH PRPHQW , OD\ GRZQ
, ZRQGHU DERXW WKH UDFLVW SLJV DQG WKXJV LQ P\ WRZQ
, SODQ WR PDNH LW RXW , NQRZ LWؾV QRW WRR ODWH
%XW LWؾV GLFXOW WR H[FHO LQ D ZRUOG IXOO RI KDWH
(DFK ZD\ , WXUQ WKHUHؾV D SRVVLEOH QHPHVLV
, WU\ P\ EHVW WR VWD\ SRVLWLYH DQG QRW EH D SHVVLPLVW
/RVLQJ LV D ZRUG WKDW VWD\V RQ P\ PLQG
*HQRFLGH LV D VLFNQHVV WKDW LV GHVWUR\LQJ P\ NLQG
:H FDQؾW NHHS LJQRULQJ WKLV DQG DFW OLNH LW GRHVQؾW PDWWHU
,I ZH FDQؾW JHW LW ULJKW QRZ ZKDW PDNHV \RX VR VXUH DERXW DHU
+HDYHQ VHHPV OLNH D P\WK VXFK D ORয় JRDO
7KHUH KDV WR EH D EHWWHU ZD\ WR VDYH WKH ORVW VRXOV
2929
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
ܐ:KDW LV UDFLVP" ,V LW VWLOO SUHVHQW LQ VRFLHW\ WRGD\"
ܑ ,V OLIH HDV\ RU GLFXOW" :K\"
' ܒR \RX EHOLHYH LQ +HDYHQ DQG +HOO" ([SODLQ
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
30
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31
Insecurities
$V D PDQ ,ؾOO DGPLW ZH KDYH WKLQJV ZH IHHO LQVHFXUH DERXW
,ؾP FRPLQJ WR JULSV ZLWK LW QRZ EXW WKH \RXQJHU PH ZDV LQ GHQLDO
0\ GHHSHVW LQVHFXULW\ LV QRW IHHOLQJ ZRUWK\ RI ORYH
$V D ER\ LWؾV VRPHWKLQJ , GLGQؾW JHW HQRXJK RI
,ؾP D EODFN PDOH RP 'HWURLW ZHؾUH EUHG WR EH WRXJK UDZ DQG UXJJHG
(YHQ WKRXJK , ORQJHG WR EH FDUHG IRU P\ DWWLWXGH ZDV IXFN LW
&DQ \RX EODPH PH" ,WؾV ZKDW ,ؾYH DOZD\V HQFRXQWHUHG
(PRWLRQDOO\ XQDYDLODEOH GLGQؾW JHW HQRXJK KXJV RP P\ PDPD
7KHQ , ORVW KHU DW WKLUWHHQ VKH JUHZ VLFN DQG YDQLVKHG
0\ DSSHWLWH IRU ORYH WKHQ JRW UHSULPDQGHG
, FRXOGQؾW JHW LW RP KHU VR LW PDGH PH DYRLG DWWDFKPHQWV
:KDW PDNHV LW HYHQ ZRUVH LV ,ؾP D KRSHOHVV URPDQWLF
/LWHUDOO\ EHFDXVH P\ KHDUW JRW VKDWWHUHG RQ WKDW YHU\ GD\
7KH MR\ , KDYH QRZ VHHPHG VR IDU DZD\
6HSHUDWLRQ DQ[LHW\ LV ZKDW ,ؾYH VXHUHG RP
:LWK D VLGH RI GHSUHVVLRQ SUREDEO\ ZK\ , KDYHQؾW IRXQG WKH فRQHق
)RU \HDUV , OLYHG ZLWK WKH SDLQ VXSSUHVVHG GHHS LQVLGH
1RZ ,ؾP D FKDQJHG PDQ DQG UHDG\ WR JLYH ORYH D WU\
5HDG\ WR DOORZ ZKDWؾV ULJKWIXOO\ PLQH LQ P\ OLIH
2QH GD\ VRRQ KRSHIXOO\ ,ؾOO QG P\ ZLIH
32
The strength I’ve had to display makes me seek somone who’s unsel-
fish and understanding
It’s tough because as a man we’re taught that the woman is the prize
and I agree
they really are a gift from God. I just feel like I want someone to be
eagerly excited to get to know the real me as well.
I want to tell my innermost thoughts and feelings and not be judged
for them.
I want someone to listen to my silence and understand every word.
I know for a fact that there’s a woman out there for me who will be
everything I need and want.
Now I just have to have to exercise patience and keep getting better
as an individual.
33
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
' ܐR \RX KDYH LQVHFXULWLHV" :K\"
ܑ :KDW GR \RX GR WR ZRUN RQ \RXU VKRUW FRPLQJV"
' ܒR \RX IHHO ZRUWK\ RI ORYH" :K\"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
34
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35
Where Do the bullets Go
, KHDUG JXQVKRWV EHIRUH , ZHQW WR VOHHS
,WؾV QRW VXSULVLQJ ,ؾP XVHG WR LW
7KH VRXQGV RI SLVWROV EODVWLQJ LV JKHWWR WKHPH PXVLF
I just wonder where the bullets go
:KHQ , ZDV D NLG , ZDV RHQ VFDUHG
(VSHFLDOO\ RQ 1HZ <HDUV JXQV EODVWLQJ LQ WKH DLU
I just wonder where the bullets go
6KRWV UDQJ RXW DOPRVW HYHU\ QLJKW
6R DFFXVWRPHG WR WKH VWULNHV QHYHU VWRSSHG WR WKLQN RI ZKRؾV JKWLQJ
IRU WKHLU OLIH
I just wonder where the bullets go
7KDWؾV WKH SDUW WKDW RHQ JRHV XQDQQRXQFHG LWؾV D PDMRU SUREOHP
$OO WKH PXUGHUV LQ WKH KRRG QR RQH FDUHV WR VROYH WKHP
I just wonder where the bullets go
:KHQ D SHUVRQ GRHV VRPHWKLQJ ZLOG DQG WDNHV RQH RI \RXU LHQGV
,V WKH SLVWRO WRR KDUVK WR PDNH DPPHQGV"
Maybe that’s where the bullets go
, KHDUG VRPHRQH VD\ WKDW JXQV VKRXOG EH KDUGHU WR JHW
<HV WKH\ FDXVH JUHDW KDUP EXW WKH SHUVRQ SXOOLQJ WKH WULJJHU GLG LW
I just wonder where the bullets go
2QH GD\ , VHHQ D JX\ SXUFKDVLQJ ORWV RI DPPR
+H KDG VR PDQ\ JXQV MXVW OLNH 5DPER
36
I just wonder where the bullets go
Wait officer there’s no need to draw your gun
We’re just on our way out to have some fun
I just wonder where the bullets go
He let off a warning shot, then two, then three
I think that gun was aimed at me
Hey that’s not where the bullets go
Where’s all that blood coming from and what’s with the cuffs?
Vision is getting blurry, am I hit or what?
Hey that’s not where the bullets go
My body is a temple, created and assembled to be treated like royal-
ty. My identity was formed before I got here. There’s no room for
bullets in my armor and I won’t accept them.
Youre going to find somewhere else for the bullets to go
37
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
ܐ:KDWؾV \RXU VWDQFH RQ SROLFH EUXWDOLW\" ,V LW D UDFLDO LVVXH"
ܑ :KDWؾV WKH UHDVRQ IRU XQDUPHG NLOOLQJV"
ܒ$UH \RX DDLG RI WKH FRSV" :K\"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
38
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39
Dear Hip Hop
<RX VDYHG P\ OLIH DQG IRU WKDW ,ؾOO DOZD\V VKRXW \RX RXW
, ZDV XQFRQGHQW DQG WLPLG \RX KHOSHG PH HUDVH WKH GRXEW
, GHGLFDWHG P\ UVW ERRN WR WKH FXOWXUH RI WKH PXVLF
2Q WKRVH QLJKWV , ZDV GHSUHVVHG +LS +RS ZDV P\ WKHUDS\ WKURXJK LW
, DLQؾW JRQH OLH DW RQH SRLQW , JDYH \RX XS
, ZHQW WKURXJK D SKDVH ZKHUH , EHOLHYHG DOO WKDW LOOXPLQDWL VWX
, ZRQؾW DFW OLNH LW GLGQؾW PDNH DORW RI VHQVH EXW
7KHVH VRQJV KHOSHG JHW PH WKURXJK DORW RI VKLW
(YLO VSLULWV FRXOGQؾW GHWHU PH RP EODVWLQJ WKH PXVLF
<HV \RX JORULHG GUXJV DQG JXQV EXW , QHYHU XVHG LW
(YHQ WKRXJK , UHSHDWHG \RXU HYHU\ ZRUG DQG FRPPDQG
<RX DOVR WDXJKW PH WR EH D OHDGHU DQG P\ RZQ PDQ
<RX HQFRXUDJHG P\ FUHDWLYLW\ DV ZHOO DV P\ JURZWK DV D SHUVRQ
, FDQؾW VWDQG WKH FULWLFV ZKR RQO\ FRPSODLQ DERXW WKH FXUVLQJ
2U VKRXOG , VD\ YXOJDU O\ULFV JHVWXUHV DQG ZLOG EHKDYLRU
,QVWHDG RI ZDLWLQJ \RX EHFDPH WKH KRRGؾV VDYLRU
, EODPH \RX IRU DORW RI P\ NQRZOHGJH
.DQ\H DLQؾW WKH RQO\ RQH ZKR GURSSHG RXW RI FROOHJH
-HVXV RU 1LSVH\ ZKR KDG WKH JUHDWHU LPSDFW
7KH\ WROG PH WR IHDU *RG EXW KH UDS DERXW ZKHUH , OLYH DW
40
Born sinning, tired of the restrictions.
Quit attending church and being a slave to religion
Nobody understands, so a million questions I have pending
Not inspired to pick up the Bible
While we’re on the subject, isn’t jesus an idol?
Rappers aren’t to be worshipped or praised
I Blame It On The Music, it helped me on those rough days
Don’t ever shame something you can’t understand
We are more than just fans, shout out to Hip-Hop man!
41
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
' ܐR \RX OLNH PXVLF" :KDW NLQG RI PXVLF"
ܑ+DV PXVLF HYHU KHOSHG \RX WKURXJK D WRXJK WLPH LQ \RXU OLIH"
ܒ1DPH D IHZ RI \RXU IDYRULWH DUWLVWV :K\ GR \RX OLNH WKHLU PXVLF VR
PXFK"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
42
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43
Push me to the edge
, GRQؾW UHDOO\ FDUH LI \RX FU\
%HFDXVH QRERG\ FDUHG ZKHQ , GLG
,PDJLQH EHLQJ D WHHQDJH NLG IRUFHG WR ZLSH \RXU RZQ WHDUV
&DQؾW DFW OLNH WKHUH LVQؾW ELWWHUQHVV WKH ZRUOG IRUJRW DERXW PH
7KHUH ZHUH WLPHV , ZDQWHG WR OHDYH WKLV HDUWK MXVW WR MRLQ P\ PRPP\
&DQ \RX UHODWH" ,ؾP VXUH VRPHERG\ XQGHUVWDQGV
:KHQ \RX ORRN PH LQ P\ H\HV GR \RX VHH D EURNHQ PDQ"
, JRW LVVXHV WKDW ,ؾP ZRUNLQJ RQ [LQJ
%RUQ LQ WKH JKHWWR ZLWKRXW D SRW WR SLVV LQ
7KDQN *RG IRU P\ 3RSV KH GLGQؾW JR PLVVLQJ
6WHSSHG XS WR WKH SODWH DQG KDQGOHG KLV EXVLQHVV
2QH GD\ DOO WKH SDLQ ZLOO FHDVH DQG PDNH PRUH VHQVH
7KH VDPH SHRSOH ZKR SUDLVH PH QRZ XVHG WR VWUDGGOH WKH IHQFH
, KDYH D ZRUG RI DGYLFH IRU \RX LI \RX OLVWHQLQJ
*R DHU ZKDW \RX ORYH LWؾV JRQH WDNH DORW RI GLVFLSOLQH
7KH UHZDUG ZLOO EH ZRUWK\ LI \RX VWLFN WR \RXU SODQV
6XUURXQG \RXUVHOI ZLWK SHRSOH ZKR DUH JHQXLQH LHQGV
:H DOO QHHG WKDW FLUFOH WKDWV JRQH NHHS XV RQ RXU SDWK
$OZD\V UHPHPEHU WR NHHS WKH IDLWK HYHQ ZKHQ WLPHV VHHP EDG
:HؾUH ERUQ WR EH ZLQQHUV QHYHU DFFHSW GHIHDW
44
'RQؾW OHW WKLV ZRUOG WXUQ \RX FROG \RX DUH QRW ZHDN
, VWLOO GRQؾW UHDOO\ FDUH LI \RX FU\ EXW , FDQ XQGHUVWDQG LI \RX GR
:KHQ \RX IHHO OLNH JLYLQJ XS WKDW PHDQV \RXؾUH FORVH WR \RXU EUHDN
WKURXJK
.HHS JRLQJ NHHS VWULYLQJ \RX FDQ GR LW , EHOLHYH LQ \RX
3XVK \RXUVHOI WR WKH HGJH WKDW ZD\ \RXؾOO KDYH QR FKRLFH EXW WR \
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
ܐ+DYH \RX HYHU ZDQWHG WR JLYH XS RQ OLIH" :K\ ZK\ QRW"
ܑ :KDWؾV D UHDVRQ WR FRQWLQXH ZKHQ WKH RGGV DUH VWDFNHG DJDLQVW
\RX"
' ܒR \RX KDYH D ZLQQHU RU ORVHUV PHQDWLOW\" :K\"
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
45
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46
Have you ever?
+DYH \RX HYHU ORYHG VRPHERG\ VR PXFK LW PDGH \RX FU\"
'DPQ , ORYH %UDQG\
%XW , SUHIHU VRPH 5HP\ RU HYHQ D SLQW RI +HQQ\
7R KHOS PH KLGH WKHVH IHHOLQJV WKDW OLH GHHS ZLWKLQ PH
0\ VHFRQG KHDUWEUHDN , UHPHPEHU LW RK VR ZHOO
, MXVW JXUHG VKH QHHGHG D OLWWOH WLPH WR KHUVHOI
'DPQ ZDV , ZURQJ
6KH IRXQG D QHZ ORYH WR VSDUN KHU LQWHUHVW DQG MXVW PRYHG RQ
, DLQؾW JRQH OLH \HDK , VKHG WHDUV IRU GD\V
%HFDXVH WKH RQH , JDYH P\ KHDUW WR MXVW WKUHZ LW DOO DZD\
7R EH KRQHVW ,ؾYH QHYHU UHFRYHUHG EXW WRR FRQVFLRXV WR IXOO\ WXUQ FROG
7KHUHؾV QR ZD\ , FDQ LQWHQWLRQDOO\ GR D ZRPDQ EROG
<HDK , VDLG LQWHQWLRQDOO\ EXW , UHPHPEHU 7LDQ\
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