Remembering My First Poem: A Tribute to Ms. Hawes

I remember the first poem I ever wrote. In fact, I still have the original copy, 36 years later. I don’t remember the details, of course, but what I do remember is how much I adored my third grade teacher, Ms. Hawes. I would do anything within my power to impress her. When she once … Continue reading Remembering My First Poem: A Tribute to Ms. Hawes →

Paint Chip Poetry #2: Blank Canvas

BLANK CANVAS Everyday is a blank canvas. Some days, The canvas is full of gold medals And lucky pennies, On those days, it’s easy to see everything Through rose-colored glasses, To forget that It isn’t always like this. Other days, Your canvas seems dark as night. You find yourself in a Deep, dark wood, Or … Continue reading Paint Chip Poetry #2: Blank Canvas →

The Scar

I sucked air between my teeth in a hiss, not wanting to wake my husband, but wanting the pain to stop. I had been in the midst of a dream, but I couldn’t remember it. I grabbed my wrist and felt it was hot and slick with what could only be blood. I jumped out … Continue reading The Scar →

Paint Chip Poetry

I may have a new obsession: I picked up Paint Chip Poetry: A Game of Color and Wordplay by Lea Redmond on a whim at Blick Art Materials when I was in Atlanta last week. I thought it might be a fun little activity to do when I hit a wall of writer’s block or … Continue reading Paint Chip Poetry →

Summer Sun: A Poem

My mother is blessed with smooth skin, thanks to good genesand Oil of Olay. Despite hours in tobacco fields or laying out on a towel, the scent of Johnson’s baby oil lingering in the air, a pitcher of sun tea brewing nearby, she has always tanned gently,like a soft caramel. Growing up, I longed to … Continue reading Summer Sun: A Poem →