A Collection of Poems

About the Book

About the Author

Shirley A. James was born and reared in Sumter, South Carolina. She received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Morris College located in Sumter. Shirley did further study at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia and University of South Carolina, Columbia. She’s avid reader and enjoys reading and listening to poetry from an early age. In elementary school it was required in many of her classes to memorize and recite poems to the class. This inspired her to collect poems from books and magazines. In high school and college her interest was placed on the back burner. As an elementary school teacher, her interest in poetry resurfaced. She taught and encouraged her students in creative writing and poetic activities. Shirley would write and share her writings with her students to inspire them. She in return was inspired by some of her students’ love for poetry. This rekindled Shirley’s interest in poetry. She was also encouraged by family members to write, and her sister, Sarah collected and filed most of her writings. Shirley has written more than fifty poems. She has also written short stories and skits. Shirley loves people and she spends a lot of time observing, listening, and talking with them. In her poems she offers comfort to those needing it and inspiration to others by showing them how valuable they are to family, loved ones, friends, communities, and to the world. Life experiences, dreams, and her belief in God had major influences on her writings and its content.