Joseph A. Leonard

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA

My parents were born on Tortola B. V. I. and I was born on St. Thomas Virgin Islands. I have one brother, we left St. Thomas when we were two years of age, and lived in Bridgeport Conn. for 31 years.I am Graduate of Warren Harden High School, Bridgeport Conn. Graduate of the Institution of Computer Technology Bridgeport, Conn. Graduate of Tool and Dye Technical School Bullard Haven Bpt. Conn. Graduate of the Institution of Locksmith, in New Jersey. Joined U.S.A. Air Force in 1965, four years, spend 15 months in India.I'm a retired computer operator from the Dept. of Finance V.I. Government. I started writing songs and poetry in 1975 to occupy my time, my poetry has been on local radio and newspaper, and I have written and published one collection entitled True Confession Love Poems and Others. Writing poetry has enrichen my inner life. I'm the President for Project Drug Free Inc. working with youth programs, I have two children boy and girl presently in college.

The Pauper

Oh! What is this dark shadow around me, and this breeze so chilly and cold, Must I always live the life of a pauper, and do as I'm always told,
I have no ground to stand on, no place, fame or wealth, and if I cough here slowly, it's because of my fading health,
People, they always laugh at me, at my worn and tattered clothes, friends don't
come around me, they don't even want to get close.
And as I lift my head up to the sky, I can taste the morning dew,
I was wondering why life had mistreated me, what did I ever do,
And as I lay here dying I heard a voice say this to me
Have no fear my lost and bewildered friend, I Jesus will be with you until the very end.

To Myself

Oh! What is this thing called love, that seems to break so many hearts that bring two lovers together, and slowly tears them apart? Love can be as beautiful as the stars up in the sky or it can be as sad and ugly as someone who just died.
I often sat and wondered why most things are this way, when God gave us all his love in such a gentle way. As I sit here in my silence, my heart is pounding fast because of memories of how once I was broken hearted, and of my lonely past. You know true love can last forever, if only you give it a try, come out of that darkness and open up your eyes.