Commemorating Juneteenth

Happy Juneteenth! Today is an ideal day to explain the cover of Rhyming with God: Poetic Prayers & Reflections.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted the cover of my book to look like, apart from what I explained to Wipf and Stock Publishers: “Initially, I didn’t have a vision at all for the cover,” I said. “Then, one day, this idea suddenly came to me—an image of a female silhouette or such (a version of me😊)—as if gracefully dancing on the beach—with her pen held up to the sky with the Hand of God holding hers as she writes. Perhaps she is writing ‘Rhyming with God’ in the sky…,” I explained.

The time came for the Wipf and Stock cover designer, Mike Surber, to do his thing. He completely considered my idea (heartfelt thanks again, Mike) and sent me a first draft. While beautiful, the image of the lady was of a ballerina style, and although I love ballerinas and respect their graceful art, that wasn’t quite the look I was hoping for in this case.

Mike tried again.

This time, he sent what you now see as the front cover, apart from a couple of tweaks. I was immediately moved to tears when I saw the image because of what the lady represented to me.

She appeared as one of my ancestors on her way to freedom, stopping along the water’s edge to thank God with her whole body for the new way she was about to live: free! While her body was on its way, her spirit was already there—free and grateful.

I reiterate: Although she wasn't on "free" soil as yet, she didn’t wait until she got there to thank God. She paused and praised her Creator along her grueling trek with worn sneakers (if you noticed them). She was grateful to at least have shoes on her feet.

Each time I looked at Mike’s draft, I cried. I mean, I cried from deep down.

Today, on Juneteenth 2025, as we commemorate the end of slavery in the USA, my eyes are filled with tears again as I remember how the cover of Rhyming with God came to be and what it means to me.

Before signing off on it, I ran the draft cover by a handful of friends. Respectfully, there were mixed opinions, which I, of course, valued and considered. However, when it was all said and done, I couldn’t ignore how much the image moved me.

One of my friends in Bermuda was all for it, saying, “This IS the one. It’s all you (the essence of it). You’ve got to go with it." And I’m deeply grateful I did!

"My Tears Are the Cries of My Ancestors" is the second poetic reflection in Rhyming with God. As explained on pages 3 and 4 of the book:

"Easily moved to tears and words that rhyme, this tearful expression flowed from me immediately after watching a powerful video of a mother and daughter dancing during a peaceful protest. 'My Tears Are the Cries of My Ancestors' is a tribute to my beloved ancestors.

My Tears Are the Cries of My Ancestors

My tears are the cries of my ancestors

Who prayed to be free

Yet the day they prayed for

Many never got to see

My tears are the cries of my ancestors

Who labored all day long

Body feeling tired

But spirit staying strong

My tears are the cries of my ancestors

 From whom my family came to be

Without God and our beloved ancestors

This life we wouldn't get to see

My tears are the cries of my ancestors

Whose spirits are now free

As they whisper from Heaven

'Go forth and keep fighting for what we didn’t get to see!'

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen."

A Blessed & Happy Juneteenth to All...