This book of poetry was partly inspired by Tupac Shakur's book of poetry entitled: THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE, I am not as poetic as he, but I try my best. Just as Tupac has written a song dedicated to his mother entitled: DEAR MAMA, I have also written a song dedicated to my mother which I turned into a poem called RIVER, in the song DEAR MAMA Tupac sung: and even as a crack fiend, mama, you always was a black queen mama. I view my mother as a black queen as well. This is the first time that I have written a book consisting only of poetry. I hope you enjoy and choose one or many of the poems within this book that you can relate to and appreciate, and one or many that represents you, please accept this gift I give to you.