Bare: Poetry & Prose

Contents

Bare

♥ Letter of Gratitude ♥

Acknowledgements

My L♥ve for Poetry

1   History Lens

Joumou Pride

Guns or Longevity

Haitian Girl

Earthquake

Creole

Afro Queen

Moving Forward Not Backwards

2   Be Inspired

Poor-Rich Man

Visionary Contractions

Birds in the Sky

A Chance Is Still A Chance

Encouragement

3   Skin Deep: Intimacy

In Search

Insight

Naked

Paint me a Picture

Smile Pretty

4   Love vs. Like and Lust

Toxic Love

Dreams

Secrets

A Fool for Love

Love Part II

Love Find Me

You

The Dance of the Burning Flame

Love Has Found Us

Can I get a Witness?

Love Testimonies

The Unexpected…

Being Genuine… Communication…

I waited… God delivered.

Trusting Him… He answered.

Love is Color Blind.

What’s love got to do with it?

Apple of his eye… No validation necessary.

What keeps a strong foundation in marriage?

When I meet him I will…

Closer… I feel and believe it.

5   Mind Over Matter—Thoughts

People Pleasing

The Experience

The dancer—Wade in the Water

Why Be Free

Take it Slow

Wicked Ways

Let’s Be Real

6   Poems to a Young Sister

Innocence

A Woman’s Worth

Promiscuous Girl

Run for Cover

Act Like You Know

Chivalry

Are you what you want?

7   Personal Dedications

I am Trayvon Martin

Cruel to Beauty

Baby

Great Men

Africa Love

Beautiful Pink Rose

8   Values of Education—Cultivating

Mind Dish

Purpose

Noble Man

9   He is My Testimony

Be Happy

Be Inspired on Purpose

Faith Moves Me

Bag Lady

Intimacy

Faithful Love

10   Women of God

Woman of God

Part 1 Women of God: She is like Naomi

Part 2 Women of God: She is like Michal

Part 3 Women of God: She is like Tamar

Part 4 Women of God: She is like Naaman’s Little Maid

Part 5 Women of God: She is a Virtuous Woman

Part 6 Women of God: She is like Gomer

Part 7 Women of God: She is like the Infirm Woman

Part 8 Women of God: She is like Mary

Part 9 Women of God: She is the Woman with the Alabaster Box

Part 10 Women of God: She is Dorcas

11   Best Friend, Lover & Soul mate

A letter Entitled: Wait

Perfect Friends

Just hold me

Not to toot my own horn

Foreplay Bedtime Story:

Exotic Lover for My Man

Precious Lover

Lotus Love Below

12   Journey

She Loves Me

Queen

Presence or Absence

Fathers Know Best

Special

Closure

Void

Hood Motivation

Perceptions

I Embrace

Triumph

Songs

Sweeter

Foolish Games

I Ain’t Got No Worries

Love is Near

Destiny

Baby

Love Jones

Original

No Need to Rush

Epilogue: The Wait

The Wait

About The Author

"To read Bare is to know Wes L Lotus and feel her world through her heart. Bare is filled with nuggets of wisdom that are surprising coming from a young adult."

—Sylvanna Perez

Florida International University

College of Business Advisor

Beautifully written, breathtaking; will give the readers an instant gratification.

—Mabel Abreu

Florida International University

OLLI Supervisor

"Bare is truly expressive and it really made me appreciate the art of poetry. By the end of the book, you will feel like you know the author personally even if you have never met her before."

—Jeanna Laurent

JSL Photography

"After reading Bare, I couldn’t help to think, ‘Wow, this is such an inspirational book.’ Each poem shared unique aspects of life, which was very encouraging to me. My personal favorites are: Can I get a Witness, Women of God: Tamar Part 3, A Letter Entitled: Wait, and Bare. I envision Wes L Lotus as a young Maya Angelou in the making that will make a big difference in the Haitian community with Bare."

—Juliette Saint-Louis

Model at Premier Model Management

Graduate Student at Florida International University

"After reading Bare, it took me on a journey within myself, to accept who I am, and appreciate life’s struggles. I am made with imperfections and I am created by the Master’s hand to be beautiful, loved and empowered. I can embrace who I am through failures, disappointments and ridicule. It is not who I am or where I come from, but it’s what I can create in life’s most difficult moments. Remember it is not how you start, but how you finish!"

—Jeffrey Pierresaint-Charles

Sport Tribune, Sports Information Director

"Bare is a piece of literary work that is birthed for the right purpose and for the right moment in this time, for this very generation. Wes L Lotus’ transparency resonates with women of all cultures and easily settles into the hearts of those who are bold, courageous, and ready to push the envelope in life. Bare strips off the notions of mediocrity and attracts its readers to their best life possible."

—Arlesha Amazaon

Sports Entertainment PR

The literature captivates the realness of life in the eyes of a young, virtuous woman. It expresses authentic emotion and brings the reader through a myriad of life experiences coupled with fantastical bridges of a very real yet mystical world of relationship.

—Mike Dulcio

Counseling Psychologist

I find Wes L Lotus’ writings refreshing, inspirational, full of values, and in many aspects, spiritual. When reading her book, I enjoyed the abundance of socioeconomic and ethnic realities presented in her poems, which were clear and sensitive. For sure, I will read it again.

—Jorge N. Zumaeta

Professor, Entrepreneur

"While reading Bare, I felt pain, love, joy, compassion, strength, and encouraged all at the same time. I can relate to Bare as if it were a personal letter written just for me to see. Bare is the life and the journey of what and how women think along with a touch of Haitian culture. Readers can expect truth with an inspirational message."

—Jennyfer Ladouceur

Founder of Girl You Are Amazing

This book is dedicated to my family:

My parents, Natura and Wilner, and my only brother, Kevin, thank you for your unconditional love and support.

To my sister in Haiti, I hope to meet you, my nieces and nephews soon. To all my cousins, let’s make a difference for our family and create a foundation for our children and their children. To my family members, continue striving, strengthening your faith in God and growing in love for one another. To my close friends, my family, let’s continue to keep God as our center and aim to be great. A family that prays together stays together. I ask that God guide, bless, and protect you all tremendously in every aspect of your lives. I love you all.

And to my future husband, may God bless, guide, enrich, and protect you always. When we are both ready, God will allow us to unite and prosper beyond measure.

Bare

Young and unashamed—

I am a Christian, educated and an author.

My eyes are big and gleaming.

Be captivated, love it or hate it.

Stare into them,

only if you believe in truth,

only if you cherish time and not lies.

I am richly Black and made lovely in His image.

Flawless—far from that.

Flaws, yes I do have that.

Matter of fact, I embrace that.

My flaws have introduced me to bare beauty—

bold, alluring, royal, I am evolving.

When you hear the softness of my voice

you would think I know how to sing.

Don’t be fooled by my low pitch—

I am assertive.

I may not be your Marilyn Monroe,

but I have no problem wearing a red dress

with a pair of 6-inch stilettos.

I keep my head up.

I am the next big thing.

I bet I make your head turn.

I see you’re mesmerized—

don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Say What?

Yes, confidence is my hobby.

Trust me baby, I wear it proudly.

Just because I speak boldly

doesn’t mean I’m not humble…

I am a Caribbean jewel.

My skin intimidates those who feel superior to me

and those who dislike me because I choose peace.

My courageous soul is foreign to them…

Mighty as a rock, yet my presence is soft as silk,

afro locks with an inner strength of Samson,

courageous like David’s Sling,

on a mission to greatness,

different seasons allow me to bloom…

Passionate, unique, daring and, yes, I am sanguine.

I have faced rejection and I have met victory;

despite failures I aim to and will succeed.

I may not be rich,

Yet I’m richly blessed.

I am a visionary breed, so I speak life into my dreams.

I believe in climbing the highest mountains

the ones that give you nosebleeds.

I may not be what you want me to be,

but I will be what God intended me to be.

You see…

Sometimes life is not only about you smiling,

make a difference in someone’s life daily.

Everybody has a story, be willing to listen and slow to respond.

Before you assume that you know everything,

remember your own imperfections.

Mirrors don’t lie when they reflect the owner.

I am a writer, so let me write you a story.

My heart is a valuable asset.

Show me how great a physician you are

and we may be together for a lifetime.

Feisty like cayenne peppers,

don’t tempt me.

Sometimes a little too sweet,

like a purple bell.

My stride always remains persistent.

I am a loving and daring shuttle,

well prepared and ready for take-off.

I am an artist…

Passion is what moves me.

My imagery comes naturally.

Speaking the truth brings liberty.

I am single and learning so much about me.

I choose to love me.

I’m not afraid to be sexy.

Sometimes, I say random things.

Can you relate to me?

I love diversity.

If I gave you a box,

you would find the titles that apply to me…

I am an entrepreneur that creates new inventions,

a daughter that loves her parents with understanding,

a sister that teaches her brother to rise to the challenge,

a friend who cares deeply,

a poet who perfects her craft,

a dancer who gives praises for her blessings,

a student who learns for elevation,

a motivator who encourages others to push harder,

a humanitarian who will create change for the better—globally,

a journalist who writes with zeal,

a planner who brings life to ideas,

a wife and mother I will one day be.

My mind is not withdrawn because

I am liberated!

You are staring at history.

Dare me…

And I will show you

what it means to be bare. ♥

♥ Letter of Gratitude ♥

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 121

Psalm 103:1-5

Matthew 7:7

John 3:16

Beloved Lord,

I thank You for allowing me to be the winning seed of victory