The poems contained in Embracing the Sun are all personal and heartfelt. Whether speaking from a place deep within or making observations of other people's challenges and triumphs, I tried to be gently honest and respectful in my approach. I wanted to convey the raw emotions and sentiment of the heartbreak and the victories of all whose voices I had the privilege to channel. These poems chronicle a lifetime of experiences and progression from the naive, wide-eyed adolescent growing up in the hard-knock life of Coney Island/Brooklyn New York that speak in "Just Say No" to the bewildered teenager searching for answers and guidance in "Nanna," to the self-assured, unapologetic man of "I Am" & "Nappy Crown." These poems were written with love, their sole purpose to give voice to those who have not been heard, understood or accepted. I hope this book will uplift and inspire all who read it to rise above mediocrity and to not settle for anything less than excellence.