Words from the Heart

Halfway to through the 30 Days in November! Challenge. As promised, this year, I am writing poems for each and every person who donates to my page as my thanks for believing in me. This poem was a joy to write. Hannah and I became friends through the friendship of our daughters. The minute we met, something clicked. We "knew" each other even though we had never met before. For me, this is a special kind of friendship...one that I believe comes from above when we most need someone who understands us.  Thank you, HH for all your support, love, understanding and kindness over the years we have known each other. You are a special Light in this world. Shine bright, my dear sister!!  Now, here is your poem:  Ties That Never Break  From the moment we met,  friendship - kinship wrapped  an intricate knot around us.  We are sisters of the soul,  best friends forever,  kindred spirits,  who giggle over cups of endless tea,...

November is only a short couple of days away and I am anticipating with much joy the challenge of writing poetry every day of the month. Those who know me know who much I love poetry. This challenge allows me, as I said in my profile, to promote "Liberty and Literacy for All!" Won't you help me by donating to the challenge?  A typical donation is $30 (a dollar a poem) but you can give whatever you can - every dollar helps and it won't go to waste!  Go to this link to learn more:   https://cnam.org/civicrm/pcp Here is a little glimpse of what you can expect through November from me.  This one is from the first 30 Days I participate in when I first joined Center for New Americans. AIRMAIL  I whispered -  an ocean away-  to la Luna Bella  hoping that you -  standing on another shore -  would hear the message  only meant  for the ears of  my “querido amigo”  © 2013  Linda M. Rhinehart Neas ...

People often ask why I teach, or write, or minister. The answer is always the same...Love. I teach for the love of sharing knowledge with others. I write for the love of words and how placing them in just the right position can paint a picture in someone's mind. I minister for the love of being of service to others. This past month, I have been participating in the 3 0 Poems in November! Challenge. The poems I have written have been dedicated and inspired by those I teach and for whom the money raised will benefit. I have not reached my goal, yet. I still have hope. The money from 30 Poems goes to the programs and needs of Center for New Americans (CNA) , a non-profit agency with sites in four Western Massachusetts cities. CNA helps immigrants and refugees learn English as well as assists in finding jobs, housing, citizenship and a host of other needs. Center for New Americans runs its daily operations on grants, donations and volunteers. Fundraising is essential...

For those of us whose ancestors came to the US long ago, the thoughts of those left behind may no longer fill our minds. However, for recent immigrants and refugees, those left behind are a constant presences in their lives. Everyday, I see this in the faces of those to whom I teach English as a second language. Everyday, I walk the tightrope of asking students to share experiences, while praying they do not fall into the PTSD caused by living and escaping the unimaginable. The stories of my ancestors are fragmented at best. I know some dates. I know some facts. I can only imagine the rest.  My mother's father, my Grandpa, was first generation American. Born in NYC shortly after his family arrived from what is now Slovakia. Doing my genealogy, I have learned that the family returned to the Old Country when he was a toddler and returned when he was 14, just months before the start of the First World War.  At that time, Kosicka Bela  (now Kosice) was part of Austria...

While summer and fall play tag with each other, it is difficult to think about November. However, the mid-autumn season of gratitude and poem-ing will soon be upon us. Once again, I am taking up the challenge to write 30 Poems in November!   This is the major fundraiser for Center for New Americans were I teach English as a second language to adult immigrants and refugees. The event is community-based. Poets from 5 to 95 write poems everyday in November with others pledging their support for the writers. During December, there is a celebration at Smith College's Poetry Center, where poets read one of the poems they have written and attendees can sign up for copies of the anthology that is put together from poems written during November. This year, I will be focusing my poems on the journey of the immigrants and refugees. I will write about their hopes, dreams, struggles, joys and pain.  I will write about my own family's journeys that make me a third generation Ame...

Photo Credit: (c) 2016 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas The finish line is in site.  The 30 Poems in November challenge is at its end.  One more day of poeming and I will be ready to revise my poems, picking one to read at the celebration held at Smith College's Poetry Center in three weeks. Many, many thanks to family and friends who supported my efforts.  I am blessed, as are our students, by your generosity. For those who may wish to give but haven't yet, simply click on this link: 30 Poems in Nov! Linda Neas . Click on Donate Now and follow the directions.   Today's prompt was to write a love poem (my favorite!).  Here is my contribution: ANOTHER DAY  The alarm serenely plays  a gentle calling to awaken.  I roll over, gathered in by your arms.  Snuggling, we begin our daily ritual of life together.  Giggling over silliness,  we rise to greet the morn,  giving thanks for another day to dance  before breakfast;...

Writing a book of poetry is, in many ways, a thankless task.  Yet, we poets continue to write and re-write in order to publish our humble offerings in the hopes that someone somewhere will find them worthy. Poems are a labor of love. My latest book is one such labor of love.  I carried it, like my children, close to my heart for many years before it was ready to be delivered into this world of words and phrases.  Like many labors, it was difficult.  The gestation of this book was longer than I had hoped.  The first poem was written many years ago, when I first contemplated finding my Irish roots. It was the seed from which all others grew.  These poems quickened as we traveled through Ireland and later, after I was home, ruminating over the hundreds of photos I took. Where the Heather Meets the Stone is finally available to the public.  If you purchase it, I hope you will find something within the pages that will touch, inspire, enlighten o...

Well, I almost made my goal of $750...just $185 short. On the other hand, I wrote 37 new poems!  I am now working on selecting the ones I want to publish.   As I go through them, I realize I have a couple of different themes that have run throughout the 30 days.  The most common one is teaching English as a second language and immigrants.  This is followed by love. Then, there are a few that have to do with grandchildren.  Interestingly, I did get on the old soapbox and write a poem that is an open letter to the world about doing what needs to be done and not simply talking about it. Maybe there will be a couple of books in this mix! Above is one of my favorite poems.  Hope you enjoy it as well.  Oh, and while 30 Poems in November is over, as far as the poem-ing goes, donations are still being collected.   If you want to help gift literacy to adults, please visit https://www.razoo.com/story/Linda-M-Rhinehart-Neas Donations a...

The 30 Poems in November Challenge is coming to an end. I can see the finish line as I prepare to write the last of this month's poems.  However, I am not going to finish at the top of the pack unless more donations come in during the last few days.   I had hoped to raise $750 dollars.  At this moment, I am at $510...so close, yet so far.   If all my friends and family donated $10, I would quadruple the amount I have pledged!   Let me share some of what this money will do.  First, it goes to help fund the programs that the Center for New Americans provides to enable refugees and immigrants to be able to grasp the English language in order to fully participate in their communities. Second, it is used to provide the supplies needed for the students. Third, it helps pay for the training we give tutors. Finally, it covers various costs that don't fall under government or other grants.  The poem I wrote yesterday is dedicated to my studen...

The 30 Poems in November Challenge has begun! My first poem is dedicated to my newest grandchild.  The prompt was to write a "day after" poem, which came from the Poetic Asides website. So many great poets share their work there. The 30 Poems in November Challenge is a fundraiser for the Center for New Americans, at which I teach.  This is a non-profit organization with a mission that " provides the under-served immigrant, refugee and migrant communities of Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley with education and resources to learn English, become involved community members and obtain tools necessary to maintain economic independence and stability. "  If you are interested in supporting my efforts, please visit my Razoo site: https://www.razoo.com/story/Linda-M-Rhinehart-Neas    All donations are tax deductible. Thank you in advance for all your support in whatever form it takes.   ‪ #‎ 30poemsnov‬ 

  Reading poetry at Smith College During a very stormy night, approximately 50 people braved the weather to gather at the Smith College Poetry Center.  The occasion was the celebration of the conclusion of the 30 Poems in November fundraiser for the Center for New Americans . Poets from the community, including several young people, faculty of CNA and board members, read their poetry.  Poems by the students of CNA were on display.  The evening was a wonderful celebration of literacy. One of my dear sister/friends donated to the cause in honor of a friend of hers who had become a citizen.  When I read this, I contacted her to offer my thanks. I told her I would write a poem in honor of her friend. She was thrilled, immediately putting the two of us in contact. I had a wonderfully delightful chat with Amelia.  She immigrated to the US from Nicaragua.  She came as a young girl, becoming a citizen as an adult.  Her story touched me in so m...

Frank and Catherine Kasper - East Boston Airport, MA 1928 We are a nation of immigrants. These are the words that President Obama repeated several times in his speech last night.  This is a fact that has colored my life and driven my passion for teaching those who find themselves without the tools to function in the United States. The picture above is of my grandparents.  My grandfather's parents came to the US in the late 1800's from Bohemia/Hungary/Slovenia. (The place name dependent on who had control of the area and when.)   My grandfather was born in New York - first generation American. But, shortly after his birth, his parents returned to Kassabela (the town in what was then Hungary) for reasons we do not know.  In January of 1914, they sent my grandfather back to New York, through Ellis Island, to live with his older brother. A few short months later, Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated and World War I began.  My grandfather enlisted, ...

The 30 Poems in November challenge has begun!  I am about 60% to my goal, which is so wonderful!  I give thanks to all who are supporting my efforts, both financially and emotionally/spiritually! As promised, I am posting some of the poems I have written thus far. Thanks to Robert Lee Brewer from Poetic Asides for all the great prompts!   Enjoy!  If you want to contribute to the 30 Poems in November fundraiser , you can click on the link at the upper right hand corner of the page, or send me a note and I will let you know how to snail mail the donation. Namasté! A Piece of Home The edges were frayed after years of use, much like Momma’s nerves on days when the four of us were more than she could handle. The colors, though, stood bright and clear as the moment they were patched, one piece – after – another. Wrapped in it, I always felt safe – like this bit of cloth and threads had magic that not only kept me from the pain and suffering ...