A Harvest Feast

 

On that joyous day bread was broke.

Despite their differences a friendship woke.

Squanto of the Patuxet tribe had taught the starving Separatists how to survive.

In growing corn and catching fish the skeletal Pilgrims he did enlist.

Forging an alliance with the Wampanoag Tribe for the Pilgrims, Squanto did contrive.

The celebration of a harvest feast was held for three days with the Wampanoag Chief.

Massasoit with ninety men in tow, brought five large deer to bestow.

In our modern times of plenty, remember Squanto and the Pilgrims with stomachs empty.

 

Jim

November 2020

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so many things. I will make a list. 

My mental health journey from crushing family dysfunction to perfect recovery, this journey is my life and in my blood. Mental health, mental health, mental health, don’t leave home without it.  

My four wonderful children who are always entertaining and true individuals.  

 My creative life: to the great fortune I had in meeting Dr. Maxine Fisher and my classmates who give positive feedback and encouragement for my writing. To my painting and craft life where I can express myself with wild abandon.  

Books that have helped me through heavy questions about life and for the luxury of fantasy.  

Being alive another day and having a future. 

The 3 cats I have now and the many cats and dogs I have had who have graced me with their love, they are never forgotten and truly missed. 

For being an American, we are not perfect but still the best country in the world. 

Georgia P.

November 2020

Twenty-Twenty

Lenses, lenses everywhere

trained on us where they dare.

 

Now Twenty-Twenty eyes have we

The time has come to look, look, see!

 

The view is much better the higher the tree.

 

All God’s creatures great or small

reveal how deep was the Fall.

 

Fix your gaze on things above

Marvel with the gentle dove.

 

Bold and beautiful we may be

Yet much to learn have we, we, we.

 

By Yvonne Anzolone

November 6, 2020

Invitation

Dr. Fisher sent out an invitation to polish up some rhymes

A writing exercise to take to the sublime 

During such unusual times 

My writing pen was filled with divine Rhymes should never be considered a crime 

They are a great love of mine 

Always a welcome part of my poems 

In my heart they've found a luxurious home 

Wonderful rhymes are 

Like Turkey and Stuffing,

A festive Thanksgiving Table

Followed by great football on cable 

The End (bending ending)

Laura M.

November 2020

Gabriel's Edict

 

GABRIEL HAD MADE HIS WISHES CLEAR.

REMBRANDT, MICHELANGELO, AND TITAN TRIED IN VAIN TO GRAB HIS EAR.

VAN GOGH, MATISSE AND SEURAT WERE READY TO STATE THEIR CLAIM, AND EXPLAIN THEIR VISIONS AND THEIR AIM.

FROM GABRIEL’S OPINION HE DID NOT REFRAIN AND WITH THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON DID PROCLAIM.

“THESE ARE THE COLORS AND I WANT IT DONE NOW. NO MORE ARGUMENT WILL I ALLOW!

EACH OF YOU CAN PAINT A HALL IN YOUR OWN STYLE AND THEY WILL BE BEAUTIFUL,” HE DID BEGUILE.

“IF YOU WORK TOGETHER THE JOB WILL GO FASTER, SUPPORTING EACH OTHER WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO MASTER.

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER WOULD BE MY OBJECTIVE, AS YOU BEGIN TO APPRECIATE EACH OTHER’S PERSPECTIVE.”

WITH GRUMBLES AND GROANS THE ARTISTS DID COMPLY, REPAINTING THE HALLS OF HEAVEN TO SOOTHE THE EYE.

Jim

November 2020 

The Heron and the Horseshoe Crab (with apologies to Edward Lear)

The Heron and the Horseshoe Crab went to sea in a boat painted peach.

Behind them they saw 20,000 or more sex-starved crabs making love on the beach.

Making love on the beach, the beach, -- all those crabs making love on the beach!


Though she yearned for romance, the Crab saw at a glance t'was not to be found on this beach.

It was then that she heard the kind voice of the Bird:  "My boat, ma'am, is in easy reach."

Easy reach, easy reach!  His boat was in easy reach!


They sailed far beyond the world that they knew while the Moon smiled serenely above.

They dined on a fish, on its bone made this wish: To discover the secret of Love.

Of Love, of Love, -- to discover the secret of Love.


The Heron told all the bad jokes that he knew, and the Crab chuckled, "Oh, my dear!"

Then they sang a duet -- an ancient motet -- which the stars bent down lower to hear.

To hear, to hear, -- the starts bent down lower to hear.


With the greatest delight they drifted all night till they moored in a tropic lagoon.

There they swam to the trees where kissed by the breeze, they danced by the light of the Moon.

The Moon, the Moon, -- they danced by the light of the moon.

Lifetimes

I have loved you for lifetimes 

I am barely aware of it sometimes 

Except when you are gone from me 

Only a memory of our grand prix 

We are together in the ether 

            Minds and love so much deeper  

Georgia P.

October 2020