Book Review: Jaybird’s Song By Kathy Wilson Florence

Jaybird’s Song

By Kathy Wilson Florence

If you like smiles, you’ll like this book. If you like books that make you cry, you’ll love this book.  All the way through, Jaybird’s Song was an emotional experience.

This book does a bit of time travel in that in one chapter, you’re in the turbulent 1960s and in the next chapter, you’re in 2003 and 2004.  This was a bit frustrating for me at first because I tend to prefer chronological order.  But, it grew on me and the back and forth rhythm became a bit of a comfort, a respite from the sad parts of one time frame or the other.

There are lots of smiles and tears shared, along with memories of events during the Civil Rights movement, integration, and personal family heartbreaks.  We get to witness some of the trials of the teenage years, some rather graphic, and those of the not-so-very young years.

Jaybird’s Song ultimately becomes about the struggle of the little girl inside of a hurting middle-aged woman, struggling to reconcile the love and the hurt of her family’s past and bringing that love - and forgiveness - forward to share with her children.

It is a great book and I give Jaybird’s Song all five stars. It has made me do a great deal of soul-searching myself.  Maybe it will do the same for you.

We were sent a complimentary copy of this book.  We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Alone

I want to explain a little about the inspiration for this poem. First of all, this isn't about my daddy. He never did any such thing to me or anyone else. Although I have been assaulted as an adult, my childhood was free of this sort of abuse.

Over the course of my life, I have been involved with various families that have struggled through the emotional upheaval of abuse of this nature. It has happened to people in my extended family and in the families of friends. It crosses all social, economic, and racial lines. It is a crime that must be stopped.

This is my heart speaking for those that could not.

Alone

In the dark I sit alone in my room.
Not alone in body, there are people all around.
But alone in a way that only a broken spirit knows.
`````
I am crying the tears of years of abuse.
I see the shadow in the doorway.
Not a face, only the outline of the evil one.
```````
Who could it be? I am frightened.
Should I cry out? Would anyone hear?
Outside the thunder rumbles overhead.
``````
The shadow moves closer.
Still no face do I see on this intruder.
The footsteps grow louder.
```````
What does he want from me?
I am not a woman yet, I am only a child.
Why does he do these things to me?
``````
I am alone again and violated.
The wind blows, the curtain moves,
The lightening strikes, and I see his face.
```````
I cry out and no one comes to me.
Why does no one hear my cries?
I hide under my covers, so dirty and shamed.
`````
I cannot tell a soul what is happening to me.
They would not believe me anyway.
And mom said never do anything to get you in trouble.
``````
So, like Daddy's good little girl, I am quiet.
And outside, the thunder rumbles,
And the lightening strikes, and I am alone.

Written by Suzanne G. McClendon
© 5 May 1997