Dr. Charlotte has developed From Pillows to Pillars as a Writebook - your passport to the healing power of writing and performing poetry. Savor Sista C’s journey from tear-soaked pillows – initiated by a debilitating car crash; punctuated by the loss of parents to illness – to the summit of slowly erected pillars of renewed spiritual strength and life-nourishing joy. As you share the poems that have helped her scale emotional mountains, there are sections behind each chapter for you to create poems reflecting your personal journey. To help you hear how to pat life’s problems into poems and cast them away through performing them, get the Pillows to Pillars WordBeat ™ Poetry CD. Book her for a Pillows to Pillars workshop.

 

Dr. Charlotte “Sista C” Ferrell has 30 yrs international expertise as a writer, nutritionist, health and wellness professional. She is, or has been, a classroom, online or research faculty member at University of Phoenix (S. CA), Charles R. Drew University, LA, University of Toronto, and Sheridan College. She is an award winning poet, food writer, video and cin (E)-poetry producer. A parent of three adult children, she also leads an urban health and creative arts-centered ministry. With bookings from schools and churches to supper clubs, she enjoys creating tribute poems for family, civic and business events. To book Sista C for your cherished event visit www.booksistac.com or email charlotte@goodstuffca.com.

 

Soaring with Recovered Hope and Joy
Wouldn’t your rather soar than sink
Soar over problems
Soar past depression and digging into the debilitating past?
Well soar into your writing space
Quickly grab a pen

Write about the hope that truly lingers in your heart,
shall I say, “hoping,” for a chance to get out?
Recovery from hurt, shock, pain, any serious loss
Is won daily, hourly, sometimes by the minute
The negative
Always trys to regain a foot hold
Always trys to re-secure its position at the helm of your life
The positive joy
Is right there to buoy your hope over dismaying hurdles
Is like cookies in a jar on the top shelf of grandma’s kitchen
Pursing hope
Is finding a way to get the cookies out
Without worrying about breaking something
Knowing grandma set them there
Hoping your appetite to surprise and please
Writing is the freedom to get the cookies out of the jar. Poetry enables you to develop skill in sharing without breaking; to replenish as you consume.

See Ya. Sista C

SISTA FRIENDS
Charlotte Sista C Ferrell

Sista friends, Sister Friends
Friends who are there at the end of the day
Those a call away, when disaster strikes
When the big question gets popped
The promotion finally comes through
Or, when you are just feeling blue

Sista Friends know what time it is
You don’t need to constantly explain yourself
Even when you’re fronting
They smile and edge you on
But pull your coat when your slip is showing
Let you know if your hair is out of place
Before you fall out upon the world’s stage

Sista Friends call your kids theirs
They are not afraid to speak up
Whether you are overboard with spoiling
Or sharing the rod a little too much
They step in as aunties, extra moms, grannies
With a gentle touch
Not crowding your authority
But letting you know they’ve got good intentions on their mind
An extra meal, one more pair of shoes
Are no big matter, they’d do it anytime

Sista Friends, Sister Friends
Have got your back through thick and thin
When you move, they bring boxes
When you’re being moved, they move to step in
No streets for you, no shelters for you
They couldn’t sleep!
While they have a home -You know, so do you

Sista Friends, Sister Friends
Call you up to share good news
If soup is on sale
Or a good workshop is being held
They want you to get in on it too

Sista Friends, Sister Friends
Sometimes have to bury hatchets too
Errors are made, the wrong thing is said
But under God’s heaven a path has been made
Just be the one to say I’m sorry
Know in your heart your sister is sorry too
Let by-gones be gone to keep your friendship true

Dedicated to my Sista friends: Lillian, Earline, Allie, Deb, Delores, Shirley, Priscilda, Mary, Joni, Michelle, Crystal, Lisa, Brenda