Bringing in the Sheaves, Part One (Short Story) - 2/21/2019 2:49:41 PM
good for you Sherry, my father was some what like your mother...nothing was ever good enough. i applaud you. and this is a well written piece, at least two things you are very good. I am sure there are more. keep writing.
budd
Bringing in the Sheaves, Part One (Short Story) - 2/21/2019 10:31:28 AM
I feel bad that you had such a rotten start at life. With both a mother and mother-in-law that rejected you for reasons I'm not so sure of. Perhaps in your book you will tell what happened to your mother when you were born that made her so hateful toward you. Thank goodness for your grandmother.
I can see why you married a man of some means, even though you had to carry the load, taking care of him as well as the children. One hundred and fifty dollars a week for child support is really a pittance. It is terrible that you weren't allowed to get further schooling so that you could land a good job. But being a caregiver is one of the most thankless and underpaid jobs there is even though it is one of the most important.
I have had a team of three caregivers for 25 years. There has been some turnover, but for the most part they stay, taking care of my difficult situation, for a long time. Like you show about handwashing, the devil is in the details. Most caregivers didn't do well in school and have trouble with executing properly, sometimes, even simple tasks. So, as supervisor of my own care, I have to tolerate their different approaches. Fortunately, my partner is very intelligent and constantly trying to make me more comfortable and productive in my writing and living. A real blessing when most caregivers are babies having babies and are more concerned about their kids than whether or not they are taking good care of me. Kids and boyfriend/husbands are the primary reason caregivers leave my employ.
When I was in college, teachers often befriended me and made me an example for the class. I know I was hated for it by students who hated those classes, but it gave me confidence that I could do whatever I wanted to do, sometimes, without having to take a class at all.
Your writing is like that. You could use a little editorial assistance here and there, but your style is superb and engaging, in general.
Ron
Bringing in the Sheaves, Part One (Short Story) - 2/21/2019 4:48:53 AM
A smart, compassionate, independent woman can't be put down, no matter what she's been told otherwise. You're living proof of that.
Big Girl (Short Story) - 2/17/2019 4:02:23 PM
Thank you so much - I won 2nd place for this on another site, and $25.00 for my bank that pays for contest entry fees when required!
Big Girl (Short Story) - 2/14/2019 9:11:03 AM
Chances of becoming a big girl lost. You reminded me of my second cousin. She was 11 when she came around the end of the school bus and crossed the road, only to be thrown in the air by a car, rolling in the ditch to her mother's horror, watching from the window. Breaking her hip and with brain damage resulting in five weeks of coma and never fully recovering to this day.
Ron
Big Girl (Short Story) - 2/14/2019 4:25:08 AM
Life for Emily's family will never be the same.
Big Girl (Short Story) - 2/13/2019 4:27:16 PM
so very sad.
budd
Death Without Grace, Chapter five (Short Story) - 2/9/2019 11:45:08 AM
Ice cream can be irresistible… And yes, there's a lot of drama going on at Asia's apartment.
Ron
Death Without Grace, Chapter four (Short Story) - 2/8/2019 8:33:13 AM
I have the same question? Is he sweet on her?
Your discussion of Asia's pain brings back my neglected teeth for 27 years… Thank you! ;-)
Ron
Death Without Grace (Short Story) - 2/6/2019 2:51:05 PM
well done, I hope there is more to come.
Death Without Grace (Short Story) - 2/6/2019 9:09:29 AM
I'm with Eva. Moves along very nicely with some very enticing wording. And, a rather novel way to run a business. But, I didn't know that homeless people were good at following rules. I sense a bit of your own self written into the heroine, Asia. Looking forward to the continuation…
Ron
Death Without Grace (Short Story) - 2/6/2019 4:28:11 AM
My kind of story--gritty, and mincing no words to convey realism through plotting and characterization.
Drama Queen (Short Story) - 12/13/2018 10:48:38 AM
Stay away from your mother, she will only make you feeling depressed.
Sandie
Drama Queen (Short Story) - 12/11/2018 8:21:37 PM
Marvin told me about this wonderful story. I wish more people would read it, but the ones who most need to, probably don't even read. Good job; your child is lucky.
Drama Queen (Short Story) - 12/11/2018 11:31:53 AM
If this is a true story and I have every reason to believe that it is, it hurt my heart to read it. To see what a bad parent can do to their children and what a generally bad person can do to a country. The real lesson in this hurtful story that you put across so beautifully, in spite of your pain.
Ron
Bumblebee Books (Short Story) - 12/11/2018 4:36:36 AM
Books are worth preserving to safeguard the worlds within.
A Little Bit of a Breakdown (Article) - 5/27/2019 11:52:33 AM
Sounds like a real-life nightmare. I wish you well.
A Little Bit of a Breakdown (Article) - 5/27/2019 9:57:48 AM
You are giving a unique look into what I can leave for the disabled and an intriguing entrée into your next posting.
I have, over the last month, accumulated 21 million "tokens" that are apparently useful for buying things that I never buy. "No purchase required." Will they ever come to my door with $7000 a week as a promised? I doubt it.
Ron
Where is America Going (Article) - 12/18/2018 10:07:16 AM
In answer to your question without a question mark… I would say "Forward with a few glitches along the way."
Walls have a way of being torn down and only hold back progress for a short time. There are other ways of protecting the borders without throwing up ugly walls. The economy is starting to tank under the administration's foolhardy promises and actions that don't always match. One of the reasons is that cheap labor has dried up with fewer immigrants being allowed into the country to do the dirty work that United States citizens have relied on for some time while barely noticing it.
The key to a country's economic success is generally its young, eager and growing population. Countries without that population, like Russia and Japan, have been losing economic ground.
Nationalism will not work in a world where everything is global. Time to reconsider our policies towards the rest of the world and work with them to solve major problems like the huge numbers of refugees from poverty and war torn parts of the globe.
Ron
Doing it My Way (Poetry) - 4/7/2019 5:12:32 PM
I'm so glad you found some relief.
Doing it My Way (Poetry) - 3/19/2019 7:06:36 PM
Whatever works for you is good dear Sherry
Doing it My Way (Poetry) - 3/12/2019 11:00:08 AM
Like the pharmaceutical industry, most medicines have been found through trial and error. Some of the well-known ones are thousands of years old and passed down through word-of-mouth. That still works today. But modern medicine and scientific trials had been used to check out all supposedly, medicines, and determine their efficacy. Some pills are mere distillations of age-old remedies.
Certainly, doctors are in a hurry and quite often not right with their prescriptions. And certainly, some folk remedies do a good job and require no expensive prescription. But I would warn against rumored cures like all of those continual scams for losing weight. Just because it works for somebody else doesn't mean it will work for you.
I'm willing to try any remedy as long as it works without side effects. If I stopped taking all my pills, except one with a warning not to stop, I probably would continue on without much more by way of pain and problems.
Ron
Doing it My Way (Poetry) - 3/11/2019 11:21:53 AM
There can be incredible alternative medicines and treatments that relieve pain in unexpected way. I know from experience. Interesting.
Mark of the Beast (Poetry) - 2/18/2019 9:49:55 AM
Beautifully written and nicely disguised. But everyone can see that it is Donald Trump if they have eyes. The problem is profound when so many believe that the prejudice and bigotry they hold is right on their sleeve. So easily they forget that their own ethnic pride comes from being despised when they were on the other side. Everyone is afraid that someone will take what they've got. So they vote for a man who spouts evil rot.
Ron
Mark of the Beast (Poetry) - 2/17/2019 10:41:03 AM
Make America hate again is what this monster aims for, and he has created a cult of followers.
Mark of the Beast (Poetry) - 2/17/2019 1:15:31 AM
Marked with Beastly ways, no prisoners, no waste, less of anything that is deemed useless.
Captured him in the Net, with Such Eloquence, undeserved.
TY Sherry
MorningSong (Poetry) - 2/9/2019 10:31:32 AM
Each morning brings a new day, a chalkboard blank of mistakes, ready for a new start.
MorningSong (Poetry) - 2/9/2019 10:19:46 AM
A lovely poem of dawn, of birdsong, of hope n the life that is given to us. Beautifully rendered Sherry.
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/7/2019 10:02:56 AM
I find the first stanza to be the finest of this telling the love poem. Someone in mind to give it to?
Ron
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/7/2019 4:21:40 AM
I love the wording, to twin like cats in a basket. It sounds heavenly Sherry. You have a way with words. Nice reading you poetry once again. as for the link, try this one. it may work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ_tdpTECcE
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/5/2019 3:35:55 PM
That’s a wonderful love Sherry. May the love song never end!
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/5/2019 12:41:01 PM
The last love song may be played, but as you beautifully say, it will never end. That's what true love is all about.
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/5/2019 11:32:09 AM
This is so sweet, Sherry! I enjoyed this one!
Sandie
Last Love Song (Poetry) - 2/5/2019 9:06:55 AM
May that last love song never end.
The Narcissist (Poetry) - 1/22/2019 9:31:12 AM
In this poem you have written an article decrying the narcissism that takes over people enamored with themselves and their desires. Since wealth seems to be translatable into any desire, wealth is more desired and people who are wealthy are more desired. Somehow, having wealth makes one a, "good," person.
But it has always been so for those of came to North America and wrested land from the people already living here. They called it, Eminent Domain, a convenient way of saying, "I'm better than you are. Let me take your stuff."
Ron
The Narcissist (Poetry) - 1/22/2019 12:53:20 AM
WOW! A PERFECT POEM FOR OBUMMER! Nice one!
The Narcissist (Poetry) - 1/21/2019 10:41:25 PM
No truer words were ever spoken. Ditto what Michael said below.
The Narcissist (Poetry) - 1/21/2019 1:21:30 PM
No one is perfect, Trump is not either, but to attack the president while he's doing his job is tasteless. I am a Trump supporter, I try not to make my post political on this poetry board. If I ever want to post political posts to offend others, there are a lot more people whom I can offend in Facebook. I would leave the few people here alone to enjoy the poetry board!
Sandie
The Narcissist (Poetry) - 1/21/2019 9:52:14 AM
I truly hope the pendulum swings back. We are on an unsustainable path if it doesn't. We need a leader who leads, and not one who wants to rule like a king.
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/14/2019 3:51:00 PM
THEY ARE NOT 'STRANGE' PEOPLE...THEY ARE...HUMAN BEINGS...LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, GROW IN THIS GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!! AT THIS POINT I AM SO ASHAMED OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT 'BLIND PEOPLE' SET IN PLACE...BUT STILL I AM AN AMERICAN AND PROUD TO BE ONE. I'M PRAYING, THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY, I'M PRAYING AND TRUSTING IN GOD. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/10/2019 10:28:31 PM
We all lock our doors in our homes at night to KEEP STRANGE PEOPLE OUT. This is COMMON LOGIC! We BUILD a WALL of protection around our borders to do the SAME THING. Then we use a door to unlock and WELCOME OUR FRIENDS WHO WE KNOW. So, what's the problem? Please BUILD THE WALL! AMEN!
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/10/2019 10:45:59 AM
Like Sen. Schemer echoes my thoughts, Trump is playing out his childish temper tantrum to make sure that he gets "his way," the way that he claims that got him elected the first place. You have done a great job of nailing down the specifics of what a disgrace it is for our president to act this way.
You may recall an earlier poem by me titled, Trumpty Dumpty.
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewPoetry.asp?id=338936
Ron
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/10/2019 10:17:32 AM
You nail down this one, Sherry, with those tight rhythms and rhymes. It really is appalling what he has made of the whole wall issue. I can hardly stomach the news of him anymore, here in the distance. There is no escape, even 10,000 miles away.
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/10/2019 9:07:31 AM
I couldn't agree more. Although I do agree we need border security, there are better and less expensive ways to do it, and contrary to Trump's lies, the Dems do want border security. Trump's baseless claims get proved wrong time and again. This is nothing more than a made up crisis designed to throw some red meat to his base. And what ever happened to that imminent invasion that was the focus just before the mid-terms? It'll be interesting to see what happens today with Trump at the border. If he declares a national emergency, we're all in danger of having his true autocratic colors doing more damage to our democracy. I say, if the slimeball wants his wall, then let him pay for it.
Trump That Wall (Poetry) - 1/10/2019 7:13:50 AM
I don't get into politics but I do get into humor and this, young lady, is quite funny & sad at the same time...-e-
Forgiveness (Poetry) - 1/9/2019 1:40:13 PM
Ah, that old fashioned determination would not serve us well today
Forgiveness is the key, thanks for sharing this lovely poem. Sherry.
Forgiveness (Poetry) - 1/7/2019 10:01:50 AM
While your old woman shows definite signs of her age, there are strong religious overtones going back to the title suggesting that she is being punished.
Ron
Forgiveness (Poetry) - 1/6/2019 6:17:39 PM
I liked this. No, I loved this. Your thoughts turned into words was very fitting for this poem.
Forgiveness (Poetry) - 1/6/2019 10:21:50 AM
The scars we wear like badges of courage into old age.
Forgiveness (Poetry) - 1/6/2019 7:23:04 AM
Heart-felt and deeply moving. It's simplicity belies its depth. Excellent.
Point of Light (Poetry) - 1/4/2019 4:28:09 AM
May you soar with the angels when your time has come. Lovely photo and words dear poetess, Have a wonderful day dear
Point of Light (Poetry) - 1/3/2019 1:53:05 PM
These are fine and hope-filled sentiments, Sherry. Love and blessings,
Regis.
Point of Light (Poetry) - 1/2/2019 10:22:26 AM
Do all the good you can now. If the Angels take you, you will be too enthralled to do anything for others.
Ron
Point of Light (Poetry) - 1/2/2019 9:24:45 AM
I guess the true message is, just do good. If everyone practiced that, we'd all have peace.
Point of Light (Poetry) - 1/2/2019 9:15:52 AM
The good to do then, and the good that you do now. A fine poem of that inevitable time of transition between worlds.
The Wolf of America (Poetry) - 1/1/2019 9:18:43 AM
I see beyond the pain so easily revealed by the fifth estate, the so-called "fake," news by those who don't want their underhanded dealings revealed, thinking they can keep "all of the people, all of the time," in ignorance by simply declaring lies as the truth and facts as fiction.
It obviously isn't working and is being revealed to the disgust of those who think it would.
Ron
The Wolf of America (Poetry) - 1/1/2019 4:26:40 AM
What a stunning photo and word, Happy New Year dear Sherry. All the best for the upcoming New Year. xo
The Wolf of America (Poetry) - 12/31/2018 10:12:07 AM
United we stand.
Divided we fall.
We need a true American.
to answer the call.
It's time to dump the trump.
The Wolf of America (Poetry) - 12/31/2018 6:40:06 AM
Hopefully the answers to your questions are no and yes, no to the wolf and yes to America as a leading nation once again, yes. Thank you for raising this issue in a timely manner at year's end.
Universal Petri Dish (Poetry) - 12/25/2018 10:24:58 AM
There may be a theory of other universes, but for now, the only visible one is almost too huge to contemplate. I won't argue God with you, but personifying the creator seems to be a strange way of putting it. And, there is a lot of evidence that life is very common in the universe and spontaneously takes hold whenever conditions are right.
Ron
Universal Petri Dish (Poetry) - 12/24/2018 7:10:16 AM
With the steady rhythm and rhyme of this celestial poem, the reader takes a ride through the galaxies to listen to the music of the spheres. I love it. This is my kinda poem.
Living With Adversity (Poetry) - 12/24/2018 7:08:14 AM
One would have to live among them, in order to describe with such tenderness and feeling as you have done in this poem. A wake-up call for those with plenty.
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/24/2018 7:05:38 AM
I feel deeply touched by the sad story of the lonely that you pain in this remarkable poem. Who ever thinks of a downtrodden and lonely, especially during the so-called "festive season." Festive indeed, but not for all. Merry Christmas, thoughtful poetess.
Living With Adversity (Poetry) - 12/23/2018 2:13:17 PM
Touching write. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Living With Adversity (Poetry) - 12/23/2018 1:12:53 PM
Sending you warm Christmas greetings Sherry. I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year. God bless you x
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/22/2018 9:51:06 PM
I wish there were more poems on this subject. Is there anyone who thinks of these lonely people? I don't think so... and is thinking enough? Why not spend Christmas with them?
Thought provoking.
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/21/2018 10:22:11 AM
There are many stories like A Christmas Carol that Charles Dickens wrote about in 19th century England that exist today, as you have so illustrated by your insightful poem. As poets, it is our responsibility, not just to hail the joy of the season, but to reveal what still needs to be improved almost two centuries since Dickens wrote.
Ron
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/21/2018 9:24:47 AM
Very nice. There are always the lonely among us, we just usually don't see them.
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/20/2018 3:33:13 PM
I always visit my neighbors who live alone this time of year, and I always feel like a receive much more then them in the visit. Love your poetry and the photo is so cute. Merry Christmas dear.
For the Lonely at Christmas (Poetry) - 12/20/2018 3:15:29 PM
Nobody should be alone on Christmas Day. It breaks my heart to see people go lonely as I have walked that path since a very young age. I was a young immigrant when I first came to the U.K. about 12 years ago with no parents nor siblings to run to and I remember how hard it was. Lots of hugs Sherry🤗
Noise (Poetry) - 12/20/2018 11:48:14 AM
Awww🤗. Sending you warm hugs Sherry. You deserve better than noise and I wish you every bit of happiness. Mary
Stones of Madness (Poetry) - 12/17/2018 10:24:37 AM
Your haunting poem left me saddened for the loss of a child. But then, I sense that perhaps it was the memory of your own childhood that you still were clinging to. It could be interpreted either way but still a wonderful rendition.
Ron
Stones of Madness (Poetry) - 12/17/2018 8:48:47 AM
Your tender poem undoes my emotions dear Sherry. My favorite line is throwing stars in the limitless sky, I love the imagery of it all. Have a wonderful day dear friend xo
Stones of Madness (Poetry) - 12/16/2018 5:55:10 PM
This poem has such beautiful sentiment. I like this a lot, especially the last three lines.
Sandie
Winter's Breath (Poetry) - 12/16/2018 9:08:03 AM
Reminds me of my childhood except for the sleigh ride. There were still a horse-drawn sleighs operating on farms, but we were in the city and didn't take part.
Ron
From the Attic (Poetry) - 12/14/2018 10:31:41 AM
We tend to have fewer attics these days but more rental storage units to abandon. I believe you're right, this is everyone's attic and could be a metaphor for our brains, where all this "stuff" going back to our childhood, remains.
All the more reason to write it down and get it posted before it is lost forever like a crashed hard drive without backup.
Ron
From the Attic (Poetry) - 12/14/2018 10:27:14 AM
Attics are filled with treasures for exploration. Each item and each photo tells a story of a life we didn't know much about.
Sandie
The Baby (Poetry) - 12/14/2018 9:16:36 AM
You nailed it. Even now, I can't understand how his supporters can still stand behind him. His lies and daily assault on truth should be obvious, but they remain his useful idiots.
Tyranny (Poetry) - 12/14/2018 9:10:11 AM
I sure hope the pendulum swings back a little, at least to a saner and more normal place.
Time to Sleep (Poetry) - 12/13/2018 11:41:04 PM
Beautiful! You set the atmosphere so well!
Sandie
Trump Card (Poetry) - 12/12/2018 10:38:39 AM
Write on! In addition to what Marvin said, It's the corrupt money that controls corrupt politicians, and Trump could be the most corrupt of all. For all his talk about "draining the swamp", he has shamelessly increased that swamp, and our democracy is sinking in the muck.
Excellent work in this poem.
Dear Sanity (Poetry) - 12/12/2018 8:11:51 AM
Everyone has a breaking point but don't put the law in your own hands.
Sandie
1952 (Poetry) - 12/11/2018 4:41:18 PM
I have enjoyed your poetry this evening, Thank you
