Global Haiku • June 2018
Dr. Randy Brooks

Freedom

by
Jessica Joyner

Jessica Joyner’s work reflects the background of her strong family, spiritualty, and African American roots. The title of this book is called Freedom. This title was inspired by Joyner’s freedom of craft and flavor incorporated into her original haiku. This book consists of a collection of Joyner’s favorite personally written haiku. Joyner encourages her readers to read each haiku slowly, one by one, letting each word make a special connection. Joyner would like to say a special thank you to her Savior Jesus Christ, and her ancestors that paved the way for her.

May God
bless
you…

singing freedom's song
hush child
or they will hear you

justice
just us
picking up the pieces

drips of melanin
chocolate of some sort
sweetest rain there is

one star to freedom
north
where opportunity waits

with no proof of scars
he doubts
until the hands appear

love is in the air
so I inhale
every part of you

blessings locked away
try the golden key
the one that says forgiveness

sleeping beauty awaits
her prince
stuck in traffic

arms linked as chains
only this time
we are free

African tree roots
stretch the Atlantic
nourishing our souls 

one cannot quiet
the loud voice
of injustice

in my dreams
I hear you
showing me the way

lonely red rose
battered and scorned
my prize possession

forty acres of land
a lost mule
wanders