Heaven, the After Party

"Jimi Sheryl Bufkin, born Jimmie Shirl Harrison, in Fort Worth, Texas
and has been writing poetry since the third grade. Jimi has resided in
the Reno/Sparks Nevada area for over 46 years. She is the mother of two
daughters and three grandsons.
Jimi?s poetry writing started with letters to God. She never shared her
poetry with others until Connie Davis??Myles, a friend, let her read ?I
know Why the Caged Bird Sings?, by Maya Angelou. She was so inspired
that she compiled a collection of her works and decided to publish her own
book by the age of thirty. At age 62 she has now self-published her sixth
book.
Jimi?s love affair with words and the color purple has made her one of
Reno?s recognizable poets. She has recited in schools in Washoe County,
the Veteran?s Hospital in Reno, the University of Nevada, Reno, as well
as for private banquets and organizations. She has also taught poetry
workshops.
She writes about homelessness, love not found, loneliness and love for
her fellow human beings. She hopes to leave a legacy with her poetry.
She donates a copy of her publications to local libraries, she wants
everyone to be able to savor the message in her work. She writes on a regular
basis. She feels it is an outlet for stress. Her way of giving back something
to the world, is devoting her life to the future, our young people.
One of the highlights of her life was opening for Maya Angelou in
1994 at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada for a crowd of over 32
hundred people."