Religious Journey Toward Writing

by Betty Harris
(Seattle, Washington)

History Through the Eyes of a Caul

Three times I began this historical piece, and twice near completion the money I saved to self-publish, somehow went for some other device, habit or obligation that could not be by-passed. The third time, tragedy hit the family line and a life passed through a sequence of time through the mist of the earth and the dust of her existence. Thus, I became oblivious, rather unconscious to what was necessary to remain on task and get the job done.

You see my focus became more mystical and I began wandering, not only in thought, but once again literally (for I had landed upon the African continent once before in this condition, and history repeated itself, as I felt the stones of women who were veiled; ironic, for I was born with a real veil in the sac of my mother's canal). And although I have no use for the religion in my heart, I have born children who have accepted the veil of the Islam faith.

Therefore, I feel that there is something too coming very soon for me, and maybe for all of us. But, something inside tells me that I must finally get this story told, and told right.

Before I close, however, I do think that it is imperative that I tell you that my first book started off with what I thought was the greatest name; Sleeping With God & Jesus was its title, (and a dirty minded friend thought that society would take offense to the title. I recognized that he did not understand the mystical connection and or spiritual vocabulary held when one has devoted their life to Jehovah and his son. That in its self is the inner meaning of the title. (And he told me that he wanted to be a minister.) Well, I did not find him too deep and or too intelligent, so I began to wonder would half of the readers in the world actually think the way he thought...Then my title changed, but not before I destroyed my work, rather unconsciously. It is similar to me, for example and for lack of a better word and or description as a powerful force that is as punchy to when Van Gogh felt the need to cut off his ear. (I am not self-mutilating, but I have destroyed many a good works that were written and produced from my hands). My final focus turned to Revelations and John, a friend of Jesus'. A good friend, as he entrusted his mother's life with him. I would devote my book to his valiant courage, and this book I called Patmos.

Completely overwhelmed with the heavy burden of slavery, reparations and servitude, I was determined to write the final chapter of history that would set the record straight for every man, woman and child that has absolutely no knowledge in the 21st century that all survival systems began on the African Continent with the darker skinned people. And that thousands of inventions from historical achievements of the black people brought about technological changes that bare witness to today's date and time. That these changes should be noted as occurring as far back as the time of Jesus, who was crucial in setting up the first social service concept in the history of mankind.

By Betty Harris
P.O. box 12587
Seattle, Washington 98111