Author: Ian Trimnell

The happiest day by Linda Pastan It was early May, I think a moment of lilac or dogwood when so many promises are made it hardly matters if a few are broken. My mother and father still hovered in the background, part of the scenery like the houses I had grown up in, and if they...

Lending out books by Hal Sirowitz You’re always giving, my therapist said. You have to learn how to take. Whenever you meet a woman, the first thing you do is lend her your books. You think she’ll have to see you again in order to return them. But what happens is, she doesn’t have the time...

Teach Your Children By Kelly Roper Teach your children to appreciate the planet. Bring home a seedling and help them plant it. Teach your children to conserve the trees. Going paperless these days is a breeze. Teach your children to respect the earth. Recycle throw-aways into something of worth. Teach your children to care for God’s...

Everyday Is Earth Day By Kelly Roper Every day is earth day, Or at least it should be. We should take steps every day to save our planet, don’t you agree? Try walking when it’s practical, And skip driving a car. It will help cut down emissions And raise air quality by far. Reuse, renew, recycle,...

The rain in the night By Heidi Williamson The past is falling on the house lightly, insistently with its own unnameable scent. I can’t tell when the first mist of it began to drift down, lifting itself gently – down. It wasn’t there, then it was all around the house, moving across the roof with a...

Because By Grace Shulman Because, in a wounded universe, the tufts of grass still glisten, the first daffodil shoots up through ice-melt, and a red-tailed hawk perches on a cathedral spire; and because children toss a fire-red ball in the yard where a schoolhouse façade was scarred by vandals, and joggers still circle a dry reservoir;...

Thankful By Kelly Roper These are the things I’m thankful for… The sweet smell of flowers in springtime, Beautiful clear blue skies above me, The feeling of damp grass beneath my bare feet, The sound of a free running stream, The warmth of the sun on my cheeks, The site of a field filled with corn,...

If I had my life to live over again, By Nadine Stair If I had my life to live over again, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax. I’d limber up. I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances, I would eat...

Mother Earth’s Gifts By Kelly Roper Mother Earth gives her gifts for all to share, She gives them freely, yet she’s still aware That things are changing, perhaps for the worse. How much more can she give if our future is cursed? It’s way past time to put Mother Earth first, To clean up the water...

The Guest House By Jellaludin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of...

CONTEMPLATING DEATH By SJ Holland Many things can take away The hope we have on earth. The losing of a job, a home, Disease, sickness, worse. To live a life of poverty. To stumble into drugs. To victimize a younger child. To search and search for love. But there is not a hopelessness That equals that...

OH, HOW I LOVE YOU By SJ Holland We search each other’s eyes For depth of thought. We find feelings, real feelings Of deep, warm love, Never dying, But always trying to break free, To come forth And be the dream Of me and you come true. Oh, how I love you. Good evening and welcome...