I was born January 12, 1965, in Newark, NJ. I am the oldest of six siblings. I have had rough times in my life both as a child and an adult. I started writing my thoughts down on paper because I could not express myself. As a child, I was abused physically and mentally. I lived around drinkers most of my life until recently. In my younger and teenage years, I moved from foster home to foster home, always being told the families could not deal with my problems. I became pregnant and married at the age of 20. After a few years into the marriage I realized I married a man that was also abusive and a drinker. I tried to stay in the marriage. After another child and 13 years later, he passed away. I still kept writing my thoughts down and finally decided to let some of my friends and family read them. They all told me to keep writing because they liked them. It was not until I met the most wonderful man that I started writing more. Everyone encouraged me to try to put my poems out for everyone to enjoy. Every poem has a meaning either from my past or present. I still have a problem expressing my feelings but writing them down has helped me to try and show some of them. Going through all the rough times has also taught me to be a better mother and friend.