Barefooted: Spontaneous Reflections of a Southern Woman showcases bits and pieces of GoldingÕs life in poetry and prose. Returning to her roots, the author moves from tobacco farm life in Rockingham County into marriage, parenting, a cosmopolitan career in the Washington, DC area, divorce, and glides into active retirement. The collectionÕs title, Barefooted, is inspired by the honesty in a line from John Greenleaf WhittierÕs poem, ÒThe Barefoot Boy,Ó where Whittier refers to shoes as the Òprison cells of pride.Ó
The authorÕs poetry reveals both the ÒbeautyÓ and the ÒbeastÓ of the Southland, while her narratives reflect a distinct variety of personal experiences. Golding says, ÒAs a mother and grandmother, my roots, career and family have provded enough fodder to reach into my heart and soul for memories to pen forever.Ó