Meanwhile

This is a little vignette I wrote in response to a prompt during my memoir class with Sarah Thebarge. (I learned so much from her.) The prompt was to think about the resolution of our story arc and write about what other things were happening...

My Story in 44 Words

Another poem written during my coaching class with Sarah Thebarge. —– My Story – A Quadrille They stole my innocence, my peace Left me powerless, without any choice Pain buried in alcohol, drugs, academic success Unhealed pain, despair, darkness never leave, never will God calls...

My Story – a Haiku

This morning at the Oregon Christian Writers conference, Sarah Thebarge (author of The Invisible Girls) challenged her memoir writing class to tell our stories as a poem. As a greater challenge she suggested a Haiku. Here’s what I wrote. Innocence stolen Nothing heals, despair sets...

The Loveliest Jar

A lovely jar thrown in clay by the Maker See it cracked chipped, smashed upon the ground Shattered to dust and shards Despair lingers until the Maker comes sweeps up each shard Each grain of clay dust He restores the jar to greater beauty ——-...

Resurfacing in Blue

I should have seen it coming this sense of feeling blue Delving into trials of the past to write a memoir that’s true I’m doubtful that this venture is worth the time and pain Will I survive this process where no secrets will remain Or...

Who Am I?

A Quadrille self-portrait for dverse Poets Pub. ——– I am afraid at my core but courageous because I know God loves me I am survivor, forgiver I am a killer, but forgiven I am an introverted extrovert straddling the line of expectations Melancholy but full...

Drought of the Soul

In this wasteland of trials and tribulation pain and suffering illness and loss my soul longs for solace for Your refreshing waters but there is only drought My soul is parched cracking at its brittle seams thirsting for Your well of grace And yet I...

A Dog’s Summer Vacation

I love vacation because I get to spend more time with my mom and dad. Even if a lot of that time is riding in the back seat of the car. Eventually we get out and I get to hang out while they eat their picnic lunch and share pieces of pastrami...

Where Division Begins and Ends

I watched the children at their play Left to their own devices Selfishness and pride ruled the day They seemed to forget what nice is I saw the ones who had no toys Longingly eye the others The rich, the privileged girls and boys Ignored by...

Assumptions of Bias

During the past week watching the news and reading Facebook posts about the violence and racial tensions in this country, I was struck by the assumptions made by some who protested the loudest. One such assumption—a  statement I read more than once—was that white people...