Vernetta Elliott Gaines

Dallas, TX, USA

Vernetta is a native of Tyler, Texas and is notable throughout the Dallas-FT. Worth metroplex. She has published an original collection of poetry entitled "Portraits of Verse" and will soon publish "Black Cherries," a collection of poetry and prose written by Vernetta and her sister Joyce. Vernetta’s mother inspired her to write poetry when she was only eight years old, her pen name is Vee Lei Elliott. She is a Program Specialist for USDA-Food and Nutrition Service and is very active in church and community activities. Vernetta is the founder and president of a local writers group, Visions and Dreams—Unlimited Writers. She is a member of several business organizations including the Community Church and PTA. She has been published in numerous local newspapers and by The National Library of Poetry. Vernetta has made many guest appearances on radio, television, and local community programs. The Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers conferred Vernetta with an Honorary Life Membership in April 1994. She is a dedicated mother, wife, and loyal friend to many. Vernetta says, "I want to touch the inner emotions and feelings of the reader when I express my feelings and those of others in poetic verse."

SHE KNOWS SHE IS IN LOVE WHEN......

She eagerly waits to receive his call;
Just to hear him say, "I LOVE YOU!," and that’s all.

When a room is full of people and the lights aren’t dim;
And she only focuses her eyes on him.

When she mentions his name in most conversations;
When he meets all of her needs and exceeds her expectations.

She knows she’s in love when she begins to stop;
To listen to the sound of each rain drop.

When she had listened to the singing of the birds;
And it was a different sound that she heard.

She knows she is in love when in him she feels safe to confine;
The intimate and inner thought within her mind.

When after a day of stress and demand;
He offers her his supporting hands.

She know she is in love when their spirits reciprocates;
That each has finally met her mate.

When she say’s "I LOVE YOU" and he does too;
And they set the date they say, "I DO."

WHICH WAY BLACK AMERICA

Which way Black America, where do we stand?
Do we fall and crumble to ignorance, or we stand up and be men.

Do we continue to develop our usable skills?
Or do we rely on drugs in a world unreal.

Drugs, crime, media, prison, reform;
There is so much that’s needed to be done.

We can only be as strong as our weakest link;
So let’s begin to stop and to think.

With personal commitment and organization;
We can benefit ourselves as well as our nation.

Our struggle is both domestic and international;
Though some may I’m being irrational.

In South Africa Blacks struggle, in Brazil and Sudan;
The struggle is global and includes every man.

We have always been able to overcome, and achieve our goals;
But only through travel down some rough bumpy roads.

It’s been proven that we can endure.
So just where do we go from here?

We’ll keep our strength we will not break;
We’ll decide now which road to take.

The answer is both your commitment and mine;
It’s been around since the beginning of time.

The solutions we are seeking for our problems to be solved;
Is for each and everyone to determinedly resolve.

To always be willing to become involved.

Black American, what’s in store?
The answer is to always do just a little bit more.