“Poetry is the music of the soul, and above all,
of great and feeling souls.”
POEM OF THE MONTH
NIGHT IN AN IRISH CASTLE
by Patricia Wellingham-Jones
At last, dreamed of for years,
she had her night in an Irish castle.
It was perfect. The winding approach
through woodland, small lake winking
among leaves, first glimpse
of turreted walls, broad stone stairs
rising to heavy oak doors.
The smiling doorman with an Irish
lilt in his voice wore green livery.
In the huge hall halberds and pikes
formed patterns on paneled walls.
Everything, just as she’d always dreamed.
Their room was large, the bed high,
duvet fluffed and waiting for tired bodies.
Brocade drapes with gold tasseled ties
hung from ceiling to floor, yet
something didn’t feel right.
The sense of out-of-place persisted
as they trailed through public rooms
to the dining hall, a baronial treasure.
Massive carved settles and chairs,
gilded mirrors blinking back light,
floral displays in tall brass urns
added to ambiance.
The slow creep down her spine
took the glimmer off her long-awaited joy.
And then she got it. All was new,
smooth and shiny to the touch
A few plastic surfaces where they didn’t show,
some textiles made of the latest chemicals
guaranteed to look old.
Never did her fingers touch
an ancient dent, a gauge or scratch.
No torn paper, ragged bit of cloth,
water-stained wall was to be seen.
Everything felt like something bought
at a warehouse for medieval mansions,
ready-made for the businessman
newly rich.
PATRICIA WELLINGHAM-JONES is a former psychology researcher and writer/editor with poetry widely published in journals, anthologies and Internet magazines. She has a special interest in healing with poems recently in The Widow’s Handbook (Kent State University Press). Chapbooks include Don’t Turn Away: poems about breast cancer, End-Cycle: poems about caregiving, Apple Blossoms at Eye Level, Voices on the Land and Hormone Stew. Contact
MARCH TO SPRING
by Susan Marie Davniero
March onward
Spring forward
Morning rains
Winter drains
Nature awakes
Sunshine breaks
Clouds part ways
Unwrap warm days
Green pathways bring
March to spring
~~~~~
ACCEPTANCE
by Floriana Hall
It may be fair weather or pain to dwell
Along with difficult people at times as well.
Acceptance adds strength to bear pain,
A keen brain can enhance beauty from plain
Being slightly humble instead of vain.
Pleasing others, a special gift of response,
Listening intently without any yawns
While weighing pros and cons.
Along with misfortune comes hope,
Embracing good things to help cope
While grasping tightly to climb the towrope.
Appreciation of gifts or giving them
Is gratifying and sparkles like a gem
From which many blessings may stem.
Being slightly humble instead of vain.
Pleasing others, a special gift of response,
Listening intently without any yawns
While weighing pros and cons.
Along with misfortune comes hope,
Embracing good things to help cope
While grasping tightly to climb the towrope.
Appreciation of gifts or giving them
Is gratifying and sparkles like a gem
From which many blessings may stem.
FLORIANA HALL was born in 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a Distinguished Graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, Ohio in June 1948, and attended Akron University. She is an author and poet of 17 inspirational books, nonfiction and poetry. All of her books are available on Amazon.com. She has five children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She is the founder and coordinator of THE POET'S NOOK at Cuyahoga Falls Library. Contact Website Website
~~~~~
THE EDUCATOR
by Robert L. Martin
Pillars of soft green emeralds rising
Like solidified columns of sweet incense
From darkness, moving into the light
Night into day, obscurity into prominence
Mother Nature’s busy network never sleeps
Through veins of promises, building for the future
Her buds appearing like roses through the ashes
When life seemed to fade, it came to be again
My plant by the window smiling at the sun
Taught me to never give up on hope
As long as there is still a glimmer of life
I will take her into my compassionate hands
She appointed me her trusted guardian
To watch over her through thick and thin
I’m to be the one to control her fate
The one to find her needs
And administer to them
I’m to rise above my littleness
And grow into something of worth
My plant by the window will be
An extension of myself, my exalted self
ROBERT L. MARTIN lives in Bangor, PA. His writings have appeared in Mature Years, Alive Now, Verse-Virtual, Storyteller, among others. He is also a jazz pianist and the church's organist at First UMC in Wind Gap, PA. Contact
~~~~~
GRAYING
IN MY LIFE
by Michael Lee Johnson
Graying in
my life
growing old
like a stagnant
bucket of
rain water with moss
floating on top-
Oh, it’s not such
a bad deal,
except when
loneliness
catches you
chilled in the
middle of a sentence
by yourself-
ticking away
like an old
grandfather clock,
hands stretched
straight in the air
striking midnight
like a final
prayer.
MICHAEL LEE JOHNSON lived ten years in Canada during the Vietnam era: now known as the Illinois poet, from Itasca, IL. Today he is a poet, freelance writer, photographer who experiments with poetography (blending poetry with photography), and small business owner in Itasca, Illinois, who has been published in more than 875 small press magazines in 27 countries, he edits 9 poetry sites. Michael is the author of The Lost American: From Exile to Freedom which is available at Amazon and iUniverse (136 pages book), several chapbooks of poetry, including “From Which Place the Morning Rises” and “Challenge of Night and Day,” and “Chicago Poems.” He also has over 71 poetry videos on YouTube. Contact Website Website
MARCH THIRD
by Patricia Crandall
Rain is snow
and the sky, a brightening gray
revalues
the aspect of winter
as hydra-headed.
PATRICIA CRANDALL has three books in print: a thriller, THE DOG MEN, a historical volume, MELROSE: THEN AND NOW, and a poetry book, I PASSED THIS WAY. She is currently working on an adventure/thriller novel and a book of bottle mining adventures. She lives with her husband on a lake in the Grafton Mountains in upstate New York. Contact Website
~~~~~
OPINIONS
by Shirley Securro
Opinions are based on tried and true
they are a part of me; a part of you
No opinion you state is ever wrong
it compares to singing your very own song
Research your subject before you speak
Keep the atmosphere light not to be bleak
Opinions are what you stringently believe
It's best to state them in order to relieve
At times you hold back not to discord
The feelings of others kept in accord
You know when it's best just to remain
quiet when only in your own domain
Others refrain when you become vocal
just humble yourself not to be focal
So keep the peace wherever you go
learn to know when to take it slow
No two opinions are alike I'm happy to say
Just be bold and give it anyway
Respect other's opinions whatever to be
We are all a part of God's family
SHIRLEY SECURRO has been
published in "Best Poems and Poets of 2005," "Who's Who In
International Poetry," "Famous Poets of the Heartland," and
more. She was a finalist in a chapbook contest with AMERICA "Let Freedom Reign" OUR SACRIFICES OUR HEROES
by Bear House Publishing. She has designed two book covers for other authors
and does poetry readings for churches, weddings, funerals, and meetings. Contact
~~~~~
SNOW DAY POEMS
Projects
hiding out in the workshop
stair rail spindles need sanding
swivel bank-chair
American Furniture Warehouse special
waiting patiently for another
complete overhaul
third implosion from
shoddy factory glue-joints.
Outside snow mid-calf and deepening
two weeks-worth
piled into mountainous ranges
each side of the stone-walk canyon
drifting incessantly against the door.
Firewood well
provisioned inside as well
even along the dining room wall
thank goodness covering
up past
shelves housing tchotchke pie birds.
murmuring wood-stove blaze
glass of Annie Green Springs
snow day poems
p.l. wick
p.l. wick: a versifier, never a “poet”—a writer, busy having a good time writing... wick is the co-editor and self-proclaimed mendicant of Cheap Seats Ticket to Ride, voice for poets: a quarterly not-for-profit, actual ink and paper publication. For info and guidelines, see: Alleykatpoets.blogspot.com (Jan 14, 2k15). Contact
~~~~~
SUDDENLY IT'S BOB'S FIRST CAR
by Susan Marie Davniero
After we married from the start
My car was mine to part
Once my car from afar
Suddenly it’s Bob’s first car
I drove my car from singlehood
To my husband's neighborhood
Sometimes a first car known
Isn’t always your own
On the road from our home
We didn't travel alone
All roads before have led
To the many roads ahead
All the way through the years
Steering and shifting the gears
Our ride together as one
On the marriage run
Along the lifetime drive
We still have not arrived
Our marriage journey is set
The ride isn't over yet
 |
| Bob Davniero’s First Vega Car, Credit: Susan Marie Davniero |
SUSAN MARIE DAVNIERO is a published poet listed in "The Poet's Market 2011." She writes in traditional rhyme verse and has been published in various publications including Pancakes in Heaven, Coffee Ground Breakfast, Long Short Story, Great South Bay Magazine, Write On, The Poet's Art, Creations, Poetic Matrix, Pink Chameleon, Shemom, and others. She has also written essays and letters published in newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, Ladies Home Journal, and Saturday Evening Post. Her blog “Susan Marie” is her writing history. They don't know her; yet, by way of writing they might. She is never at a loss of words. She has found her place as a writer and a poet. With every poem published she is inspired to write more. Writing feeds her soul - literally food for thought. Contact
~~~~~
MOVIN' MAN
by Debbie Hilbish
I’ve a friend
who is a movin’,
a movin’ man is he,
from one house to
another.
Oh! Such a sight to see.
Fur and feet a flyin’
adds mirth to his mad
frenzy.
So much to do
so little time.
How will he ever finish?
The list of things that
“must be done”
will surely not
diminish.
Every time one gets
completed
the “must do” list’s
replenished.
My friend,
he lies awake at night
counting boxes instead
of sheep.
What can he truly part
with
when it’s all he wants
to keep?
For a pack rat such as
he is
this is not an easy
feat.
No telling how much time
will pass
before my friend can
rest.
In his obsessive
compulsive way,
assured he’s done his
best.
How comforting to hear
him say
“I’m now settled in my
new nest.”
DEBBIE
HILBISH has been writing poetry since she was a young
teen. Her first book of poetry was published in 2007, followed by a published
chapbook in 2010. Debbie has held poetry readings throughout the southwest and
had seminars, sponsored by Arizona and New Mexico libraries, on poetry
appreciation for young adults. She also hosted an eight week author’s fair
at The Reader’s Oasis bookstore in Quartzsite, Arizona from 2008 through 2012.
She is presently directing her energy towards working on her first novel. Contact
~~~~~
PET HEAVEN
by C. David Hay
There's a place beyond the rainbow
That God prepared with care
So when our pets must leave us
We'll know that they are there.
It is a special sanctum
Where they can rest and play,
Knowing we will claim them
Again some joyous day.
Our bond will be renewed
Just as it was before;
The undying love of a pet -
You cannot ask for more.
I pray for such a Heaven,
For in my heart I know
Wherever He does take them -
That's where I want to go.
C. DAVID HAY is a retired dentist residing in Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University and IU School of Dentistry. He is the author of five books of poetry. He has been widely published and has had his poetry read on the British Broadcasting Channel. Dr. Hay has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry and is recipient of the Ordo Honoris award from Kappa Delta Rho. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IUSD. He is an avid scholar and collector of Native American artifacts. Contact
~~~~~
MARCHING ALONG
by Floriana Hall
Whatever the weather, I
cannot change it
So
I will just march along with March
Doing
my best to enjoy the journey
Can
it be any worse than February?
Will
the sun come out each day
Or
will I have to stay home and say
"When
will winter ever end?"
Not
til Mother Nature says so, my friend!
Make
the best of what comes your way
More
cold weather, snow, and maybe ice
But
I hope that is not so!
Bring
on the crocus and daffodils,
How
about a warm up drill
March
along with whatever the month brings
Sing
along as you march.
FLORIANA HALL was born in 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a Distinguished Graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, Ohio in June 1948, and attended Akron University. She is an author and poet of 17 inspirational books, nonfiction and poetry. All of her books are available on Amazon.com. She has five children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She is the founder and coordinator of THE POET'S NOOK at Cuyahoga Falls Library. Contact Website Website
~~~~~
SPRING'S SCENE
by James G. Piatt
Miles to the east,
Verdant mountains,
Materialize to fill my eyes.
To my left,
Trees with new pink buds,
Harbingers of spring,
Among their branches
Sparrows longing for
The return, of warmer days.
JAMES G. PIATT: Dr. Piatt a
retired professor, poet and writer, is the author of two poetry books, “The
Silent Pond,” (2012) and “Ancient
Rhythms,” (2014), his third poetry
book will be released in 2015. He has had
over 600 poems published. His poem, “I Am” was nominated for a 2014 Pushcart award, his poem, “The
Night Frog” was nominated for best
of web 2013, his poem, “In The Meadow,” was selected as 1 of the 100 best poems of 2014, and his
poem, “Teach Me” was selected for
the 2014 poem of the year award at Long Story Short. His books are available on Amazon, and Barnes andNoble. Contact
~~~~~
BLESS ST. PATRICK'S DAY
by Susan Marie Davniero
St. Patrick's Day
It's the Irish way
Heritage allows
Celebration now
Although not Irish
As Catholic I cherish
All Saintly ways
Bless St. Patrick's Day
 |
Shamrock
Cross Drawing by Susan Marie Davniero
Credit:
Susan Marie Davniero
|
SUSAN MARIE DAVNIERO is a published poet listed in "The Poet's Market 2011." She writes in traditional rhyme verse and has been published in various publications including Pancakes in Heaven, Coffee Ground Breakfast, Long Short Story, Great South Bay Magazine, Write On, The Poet's Art, Creations, Poetic Matrix, Pink Chameleon, Shemom, and others. She has also written essays and letters published in newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, Ladies Home Journal, and Saturday Evening Post. Her blog “Susan Marie” is her writing history. They don't know her; yet, by way of writing they might. She is never at a loss of words. She has found her place as a writer and a poet. With every poem published she is inspired to write more. Writing feeds her soul - literally food for thought. Contact
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
march celebrity poet
Eliza Cook
(1818 – 1889)
nationality: English
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
St. Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick’s Day!
Oh! thou tormenting Irish lay—
I’ve got thee buzzing in my brain,
And cannot turn thee out again.
Oh, mercy! music may be bliss
But not in such a shape as this,
When all I do, and all I say,
Begins and ends in Patricks’s Day.
Had it but been in opera shape,
Italian squall, or German scrape,
Fresh from the bow of Paganini,
Or caught from Weber of Rossini,
One would not care so much—but, oh!
The sad plebeian shame to know
An old blind fiddler bore away
My senses with St. Patrick’s Day.
I take up Burke in hopes to chase
The plaguing phantom from its place;
But all in vain—attention wavers
From classic lore to triplet quavers;
An “Essay” on the great “Sublime”
Sounds strangely set in six-eight time.
Down goes the book, read how I may,
The words will flow to Patrick’s Day.
Read the entire poem at:
For the poet’s biography, see:
Quoted for educational purposes only.
All work the copyright of the respective authors.
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