“Wow! Fireside Chats brings the heat on!
“What a wonderful, emotional way to view the world! Dedication. Commitment. Honor. Frank is a great new voice, and we all should heed it.”
—Nikki
Giovonni
Renowned Poet and Author,
Virginia Tech University
Distinguished Professor
“... this heartfelt collection is for any enlightened individual with a serious interest in our country’s history from a contemporary standpoint.”
—ForeWord Clarion Review
“In this, his first venture into the realm of published poetry, Frank O’Neal’s twenty selections run the gamut from deeply personal introspection; to celebration of life, love and relationships; to political commentary; to philosophical observations on human nature, justice, and war. Underlying virtually all of his reflections is his effort to make sense out of the black experience in America—an often painful and only partially successful effort. O’Neal lays bare his soul, and in doing so he helps us all to better understand the soul of America.”
—Jack
D. Angus, PhD.,
Black and Catholic in Omaha: A Case of Double
Jeopardy
“With rhythmic dexterity, this poignant work jaunts and rests and saunters, intermittently, through the author’s hopes, joys, disappointments and fears.
“Whether in the intimate quiet of My Father or the despair-tinged hope of Stop the Rain or the soothing lilt of Leta of the Swans, Frank O’Neal speaks with riveting passion. He escorts the reader through his heart and soul, sometimes thrusting jabs at cathedrals of belief, jerking the reader to attention.
“This collection of poems, gentle and clamorous at once, is filled with energy that will not soon be spent.”
—Evie
Goodwin Christian,
Mosaic for Mama: Reflections & Prayers
of Encouragement
Fireside Chats Volume I:
A Surrealist’s view of the world
© 2010 Frank S. O’Neal. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to:
Frank O’Neal
13518 L St.
Omaha, NE 68110
ISBN13: 978-0-9817964-3-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010923376
Cover & Interior Illustrations by Charlene Potter and Jack Thompson
Published at Smashwords
This book was written in honor of my mother and father:
Bernice Catherine Davis O’Neal
5 July 1918 — 4 February 2009
Frank Sebron O’Neal
20 December 1913 — 21 October 2006
My Father
Frank Sebron O’Neal
20 December 1913 —
21 October 2006
A truly GREAT MAN once said,
“Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church”
You are The footing
The base
The bedrock
You are The center
The focal point
You are The keeper and giver of
The state of my being complete
My straight forwardness
My righteousness
My holiness
He chose YOU to be the foundation of My humanity
My FATHER
My FATHER
Truly I am BLESSED
GOD gave YOU to ME
And now that you are above BLESSED with GOD and
Unity
Protect us both immediate, nuclear, and extended family
For YOU NOW are truly FREE