Autumn's Five Seasons: The Men

Autumn's Five Seasons is an exciting three book series! The first soon to be released book in the series is called The Men. This novel was inspired by my first book, Black Love: A Book of Poetry & Love and I'm so happy that it's almost time to share it with you.

My book of poems, Black Love, was used as an outline, but it did not control the story. And, I think that's good because poems are wonderful, but they only represent how you feel during one moment. A novel on the other hand is continuously revisited throughout the course of time. Generally, statements and/or feelings simply deepen or become more clear.

I found the male characters surprising! That's funny to me because I created them, but it's true. They all contribute a unique view on relationships and leave you wanting much more. In fact, that's how Autumn's Five Seasons became a three book series. The story was over, but I wanted more and I know you will too.

I'll keep you posted on its progress. Watch for it because my novel, Autumn's Five Seasons: The Men, will be coming soon!


*Posts you may enjoy:

Beauty in Pain - Now Available
The Black Love The Book Discussion
An Introduction To Upcoming Novel - Autumn's Five Seasons

My Books - Beauty in Pain & Black Love

The novel, Beauty in Pain, surrounds the topic of losing a loved one. While the story focuses on the main character Valerie Peterson and her ability to, at times, cope with loss. It also shows her inability to properly deal with the situation at hand. Beauty in Pain is filled with the drama that may engulf a family during this particular struggle. It shows the stages of grief, which are on full display through intriguing characters. 

This novel covers one of life's inevitable steps. It is an experience that will take its reader on a wild, but fantastic journey. This is an inspiring tale that begins with an accident and covers the years after it. 

This is one for the book clubs. Or, at the very least, I suggest reading it with a friend because you will want to discuss it. Beauty in Pain is an emotional roller coaster, but it's definitely a ride worth taking. 

 

On the other hand, Black Love: A Book of Poetry & Love keeps things really simple. This book of poems is a unique representation of relationships. It's full of sensual, caring, realistic, harsh and loving realizations. It leads the reader straight to true love. 

Black Love is a great read for one person, but two is even better.

*Posts you may enjoy:

Reasons to Love Beauty in Pain

The Black Love Book Discussion

A Month Before Christmas

A Month Before Christmas

A Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas 

You prayed all through night

Only faith lingered

No hope was in sight

Along came a feeling

As certain as air

Things would work out 

Because Jesus is here

You didn't know how

And were not concerned

Because God works wonders

A fact you have learned

So fill up your heart

With love and some glee

Because God has all answers

Christ is with thee

By  Alice Benton

*Posts you may enjoy:

God Is In Control

I'm Blessed

God's Gift

My Lord

He's the sweetest love I've ever known
Through daily life His love is shown
He tests me in different ways
But I will never go away

He loves me when I mess around
He holds me up when I am down
He loves me unconditionally
And His spirit lives in me


*Posts you may enjoy:


Gift's From God
God's Gift
A Prayer For My Readers

My Girls

In the spirit of today, Mother's Day, I am sharing a poem entitled My Girls by Alice Benton.  I hope you love it, after all, Mother's Day is about a mother AND her child(ren).

My Girls

You are wonderfully separate
Although an important part of me
Daily you impress me
Being wildly independent
And wise beyond your years
I have learned much
Through your love
I have nurtured you
And yet we have raised each other
I see
Intelligence, beauty & great spirit
You humble me
Thank you
For a priceless legacy
God has shown favor on me
Through you - my girls


*Posts you may enjoy are Evening Thoughts, Mother's Day Weekend, Rose Hester-Lavenburg & Poems for Benjamin and The Black Love Book Discussion.

Rose Hester-Lavenburg & Poems for Benjamin

Rose Hester-Lavenburg’s first book is Poems for Benjamin, A New Mother's Journey. She began writing it when her handsome little boy, Benjamin, was just three months old. He is an inspiration to his mother. Rose has been writing poetry since she was a child. Ms. Hester-Lavenburg is enjoying the self-publishing process, which consisted of help from Geri Hearne of Joy Media out of Chicago.

If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift consider Poems for Benjamin. It will be released on Mother’s Day 2011, but copies can be purchased now.  When Rose was asked about the  message of her book she said, “I want parents to feel that they are not alone in the trials and tribulations of child-rearing. And I would like people who are not themselves parents to enjoy reading about expressions of love, joy, loss, and frustration which are so universal in nature.”

Mrs. Hester-Lavenburg often incorporates unique poetry into her day job.  She’s a teacher that uses poems to assist children in learning and hopes society will continue to embrace poetry.


*Posts you may enjoy:

Buying the Perfect Gift
Carefully Measure Your Success
National Poetry Month

On The Rise Magazine & Me!

I, Alice Benton, am being featured in an online publication called On The Rise Magazine.  Please take a look.  The piece is entitled She Has a Way With Words: Poetress Alice Benton.  April has been showering many wonderful things.  I cannot wait until next month to enjoy the fragrant flowers of May.


*Posts you may enjoy are Alice Benton's Blog Reader Appreciation, VDAY Santa Monica 2011 and Zazoo's World & Me!

The Black Love Book Discussion

The book Black Love: A Book of Poetry & Love is great and so was its discussion. Dinner with friends and family can be wonderfully challenging, but the evening went well. It must have been the topic. The ladies had plenty of great comments; all positive. The only thing we were missing was a man's point of view, which is important, perhaps there will be a part II.

Black Love is uniquely designed to represent various relationships. We all have our favorite poems, among some them were God's Gift and The Dance to name a few. The group found it important to review the book on a whole. The setup is simple, but there are some complex lessons to be learned inside. It was interesting to hear how relevant this book has been in their lives. The conversation was lively at times. There was a moment when "Whoa! Whoa!" was blurted because of the need to slow down and reflect on the reading of a poem.

Everyone had a great time dining and bringing their thoughts to the group.  As the author of Black Love, I appreciated the varied views and candor. I look forward to part II of the discussion.


*Posts you may enjoy:

God's Gift
Black Love Sample 1 - Waking Up
How Publishing Began

The Spirit of April - Maya Angelou

This is in spirit of National Poetry Month.  I am posting one of my favorite poems by one of my favorite poets, Maya Angelou.

Still I Rise

BY MAYA ANGELOU

You may write me down in history   

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt   

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?   

’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells   

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,   

With the certainty of tides,   

Just like hopes springing high,   

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?   

Bowed head and lowered eyes?   

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,   

Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?   

Don't you take it awful hard

’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines   

Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,   

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds   

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,   

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,   

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.   

I rise

I rise   

I rise.

*Posts you may enjoy are Black Love Poetry Sample 1 - Waking Up and God's Gift. 

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month!  This celebrated month of poems began back in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets.  It's a good time to show appreciation for the impact poetic installations have had on our culture.

Being a poet, I love knowing that there is a specific time to bare down and focus on the impact of poetry.  While I am more of the modern def poetry type and I adore some of the old stuff.  I acknowledge that it is necessary to appreciate the original form, which inspired the material that came later.

Be encouraged to make poetry a part of your life.  Read pieces by great poets like Edgar Allen Poe and Maya Angelou.  Now a days, there is a type that can relate to us all.

For more information visit poets.org.  They also offer great ideas on how to incorporate poetry into your life.


*Posts you may enjoy are God's Gift and Black Love Poetry Sample 1 - Waking Up.  You might also want to visit the page on this blog dedicated to my book, Black Love: A Book of Poetry & Love.

God's Gift

You were given to me
During a time when I needed you most
God allowed you to hold me
You appeared strong when I was weak
You are my divine connection
You stregthen me without trying
And continue daily
Your love not only fills me
It completes me
And makes me better
This is a unique love
Truly unconditional

By Alice Benton, Black Love: A Book of Poetry & Love and National Poetry Month.

Black Love Poem Sample 3 - Pain

Pain
I thought I knew pain
On many levels
I’ve felt, seen and distributed my share
I have experienced extreme highs
Devastatingly extreme lows
But this…
This is some out of this world type hurt
I mean…
I truly never knew I could be so hurt…this hurt
I am completely and utterly devastated
I’m so bad that every inch of my body feels it
It’s weighing me down
So I struggle
This pain is so deep
I don’t even have to acknowledge it
Only to wake and be forced to recognize the pain
It lives behind the extra puffy eyes due to a tearful sleep

I struggle
I have felt lost and alone
Simply watching my life
No longer living it
How disrespectful
I struggle
I’m struggling with an unreal weight
This weight is so intense and intimately internal
It’s potentially destructive
Surely this is no natural heaviness
It’s misguided wicked influence
The prince of darkness knows I am divine
That’s why he lurks in my madness
The devil likes when I’m weak
But I know he’s a liar
Daily I must convince myself of what feels inconceivable
Part of me is dead and worst

Evil is trying to use that lifeless part to kill the rest of me
I struggle
God just wants me to lean on Him
I have to rely on what I have always known
God gives you what you need to survive
Even if I don’t know what IT is
It’s here, in me
It’s my job to struggle through
And so I struggle
Eventually I’ll win because God is good
I’m going to use this unique pain
Its distinct signature will elevate me toward an unforeseen destiny

Black Love Poem Sample 2 - Change

Change
I have changed
I am barely recognizable to myself
Great tragedy
Alters beings
I am forever changed
There is goodness in the new me
I am disconnected from this world I live in
Thankfully
I am growing in spirit
I am stronger
Wiser
Less
And more than I have ever been
People no longer know me
It scares them
Sometimes I don’t know myself
I have lost many

While gaining others
All I know is I have a choice
Options are always good
I can stay lost in my misfortune
Or be found in new strength
That is truer to who I now am
I am still becoming
And the journey ahead looks great

Black Love Poetry Sample 1 - Waking Up

Waking Up

When I wake up

It’s different

And when I say different

I mean

I feel that no one else has ever experienced what I do

They wake up to the world

I wake up to you

You are my world

In your eyes I see love

In your voice I hear passion

You are like the moon

Always there but transparent at times

And the stars that brighten up the darkest nights

You are as important to me as the sun is to the universe

You are my life

*Posts you may enjoy: 


Black Love Poem Sample 2
Black Love Poem Sample 3
Black Love Page