The Way to a Book Lover's Heart

("Memories, Cousin Ozena" portrait by Luther E. Vann)

If I were to put a number on all the things for which I am grateful in 2008, at the very least that number would be 320 because that's how many sunrises I have seen thus far this year. Days are not something I take for granted, for in the immortal words of the great rhythm and blues singer Dinah Washington, "what a difference a day makes." Indeed, the events that transpire within a single day can overturn the history of centuries, mark our hearts with sorrow, or empower our souls with joy.

Among the blessings of 2008 that have given me reasons to gratefully celebrate has been the publication of my book with the artist Luther E. Vann: ELEMENTAL The Power of Illuminated Love . ELEMENTAL is not only a blessing because it finally saw the light of day after a 17-year struggle to get it published, but because so many enriched the title with their diverse contributions to it.

One of those contributing individuals was Ozena W. Wilcox (Dec 5, 1908- Nov 14, 2008) whose incandescently painted portrait adorns page 3 of ELEMENTAL. Although it was never my privilege to greet Ozena in person, I treasured the honor of getting to know her to some extent through the vibrant expressionistic colors and multidimensional perspective in Vann's portrait of his cousin.

Through Vann's eyes and palette-filled with the swirling energies of violet, pink, green, yellows, and mahogany-- one can find it easy to see and salute the dynamic individuality that marked her singular being. The depth and intensity of wisdom and love accumulated throughout Ozena's 100 years in this world can be measured to some degree by the spectral memories and presences that dwell in the portrait just above her head. They encircle, motivate, sustain, and define her in ways at which we can only guess. The painted colors of that love and wisdom continue to bless not only this author, but many others as well.

And for that I truly am very grateful.

By Aberjhani

Born in Savannah, Georgia (USA) Aberjhani is founder of the popular Creative Thinkers International website and co-author of "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance" as well as "ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love."

Upon graduating from Savannah High School, he attended Savannah State College (now University); Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida; Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota; Temple University in Philadelphia; and the New College of California in San Francisco.

He served two overseas tours of duty with the U.S. Air Force at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, and at RAF Lakenheath in England. He served an additional two years as an EOE counselor with the USAF Reserves at Charleston AFB, South Carolina.

In 1997, Aberjhani made his national debut as an author with a cover story titled "This Mother's Son" published in ESSENCE Magazine. Following that initial introduction to the pages of the famous magazine, he went on for the next ten years to become one its most frequently published poets. In addition to editing the Savannah Literary Journal for some seven years, he also served as chairman of the critics committee for the Poetry Society of Georgia and has written freelance articles for Connect Savannah, Creative Loafing, and the Georgia Guardian.

Washington Publications published the author's first book, a compilation of fiction and poetry titled "I Made My Boy Out of Poetry," in 1998. He wrote with Sandra L. West the world's first comprehensive "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance," published by Facts On File in 2003. "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance" won both the Choice Academic Title Award and a Best History Book Award. ESSENCE Magazine listed the title among its recommended gift items and Black Issues Book Review listed it among their "Recommended Titles for the Home Library."

The Year 2003 also saw the publication of the author's "The Wisdom of W.E.B. Du Bois," produced by Kensington Books for its Philosophical Library Series in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the publication of Du Bois' Souls of Black Folk. Great Britain's BPSE Publishing created a limited edition of Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black, the author's second book of poetry. He published both a third collection of poetry titled "The Bridge of Silver Wings" and his first novel, the controversial "Christmas When Music Almost Killed the World," through Black Skylark Singing Press in 2007. Along with the aforementioned ELEMENTAL, his "The American Poet Who Went Home Again" was published in 2008.

In addition to the previously noted awards, Aberjhani is also the recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award, the Creative Loafing Critic's Pick Best Savannah Author Award, the Savannah Literary Journal Best of Publication/Irene Tromble Award, and the Connect Savannah 2006 Poet and Spoken Word Artist of the Year Award.