Words from the Heart

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;...

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...

It is my pleasure today to welcome author, Kathy Handley to Words from the Heart.  Kathy is the author of Birds of Paradise , an exciting novel about a trucker, a runaway teen and a homeless girl.  The three characters support each other in grand and small ways.  Kathy shares some ideas on how we, too, can support each other. To show our appreciation for your stopping by today, leave a comment and your name will be placed in a drawing for a copy of Birds of Paradise.   Every day we have the opportunity to support others in grand and small ways. The unique gift of supporting others is that we often don’t know the effect our actions have on the recipients of our generosity. We are reminded to smile, care, and support others, and give generously. Let’s think about how writers support each other   Teacher/student relationship, each adding to the mix of ideas   Writer/writing group communications   Family and Friends/ respect and protect writers’ ...