7The title and the contents reflect a collection of thoughts, events, ideas and emotions. Most of them were written to create an impressive image, take a stand or provoke a yet-to-be solved controversial issue. A few were written just for mere entertainment. When one looks at a painting or other works of art, they begin to formulate words to express how it makes them feel or what image they see. "Stuph Like This," is intended to inspire, humor, relate to or formulate a picture in one's mind about what they read or hear. The first poem, "If I Die Tomorrow," was written in one of the most stressful times in my life, so I thought. It is intended to inspire one to live life to the fullest. Our tomorrows may be planned but not promised. I am a middle school teacher, one of few who graduated from high school a year early and had no idea of what I wanted to do in life. My mother and my aunt made a collaborative effort in guiding my future. In the final hours of closing registration, I submitted my application for admission to Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. I entered the fine arts program and began my career with twenty-one hours of credit. Although my teaching career did not include art in the traditional sense, it was successfully used as an enhancement. Poetry, for me is an extension of art. It creates an image, an emotion or an opinion about what is read or heard. This collection is eclectic and not limited to a particular theme or scheme. Each piece was created at different times and reflects a variety of experiences along this journey called life.