Claudette Jackson 

Versailles, Kentucky, USA 

Claudette Wills Jackson was born to James and Elizabeth Wills, Lexington, Kentucky. She is the wife of Lonnie Jackson and the mother of Robert Jackson, Lisa Haddix, and Desire'e Rogers. Claudette has been writing poetry and children's literature for at least 24 years. While a student at The Institute of Children's Literature, she completed a graduate course in children's books. Claudette graduated with honors from Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky, where she majored in both English and Child Development and Family Relations. Her works have been published in editions of The Kentucky River, Kentucky State University. She is featured in editions of The National Dean's List and she is a member of the American Association of University Women, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and is a lifetime member of the International Society of Poets. Her outstanding accomplishments in poetry have earned her election into the International Poetry Hall of Fame. Other awards include Poet of the Year (1997), International Poet of Merit Plaque (1994, 1997), Special Commemorative Plaque (1997), Homer Honor Society induction (1992), Golden Poet (1990-1992), and numerous honorable mentions. Her poetry can be heard on "The Sound of Poetry" cassettes by the National Library of Poetry. It can also be found in various anthologies from the New York Poetry Foundation, the American Poetry Association, the National Library of Poetry, Watermark Press, the Cambridge Collection, etc.

"I humble myself before our most merciful and almighty God. In Him I find compassion, guidance, and strength in all that I do. God's love has proven my best friend and my best teacher. Poetry is my voice of such love."

God's Journey

I am on a journey like a tiny vessel out at sea,
   Someone is steering my direction,
      It most certainly isn't me.

         God jumped on board
            My first day of birth,
               And navigates my direction
                  Until he leads me from the earth?

Lust for Fame

Silver bullet enclosed in steel,
A trade with the devil; he made his deal,
With the mark of precision he took aim
And pulled the trigger in a fool's game.
Then, from a distance--
An officer's bullet sirened his name,
But he wanted to blame?
White lightning splattered blood and flesh--
His body exploded; hell sealed the rest.
Satan's tool to lure a lame brain--
A heart waxed cold with lust for fame.

Doctrine of a Free Man

Dad is anchored deep,
Branded heart steep,
And locked in life's sturdy hand,
His doctrine of a free man:
          Feel! Think! Work!
          Feel God's elements around you,
          Think of how you can contribute--be true;
          Work to achieve your goal
             And the devil won't win your soul.

          Example of my youth:
          Handicapped father scrapping cars
          Grinding valves and canning in jars;
          Setting tobacco and slaughtering hogs,
          Repairing transmissions and splitting logs.

          Contribution of my Youth:
          Soap-making, scrub board singing
          Frostbitten hands and clothes ringing;
          Chicken heads rolling, pie making
          Dipper hitting the bucket and bread baking;
          Apple picking, water packing
          Corn shucking and potato sacking;
          Stewing tomatoes, canning beans
          Slicing onions and washing greens.

               Even today, I hear him call,
               Feel! Think! Work!
               Feel God's elements around you,
               Think of how you can contribute--be true;
               Work to achieve your goal
                  And the devil won't win your soul--

Wind Sing Song

Wind sing song,

       From whence do thou blow this morn?
       You croon of divine places;
       You've not passed my way before.

       Your soothing melody levitates me--
       Your breath's scent of honey and mint;
       You flow omnipotently upon my soul.

Oh wind sing song,

       Forever sing your song for me--
       Are you just passing by?
       Or will you stay a while?

                 Your song reverberates splendor.