Featured Writing by

I am from the world from a long line of perfectly imperfect human beings I am from life and all that life can offer From party town and cocktail hours and after-hour brawls Golf and tennis and swimming pools Where old habits die hard amidst china & crystal and fine dinnerware. I am from Coal-Dust, from lye and outhouses Grange Hall parties, and bales of hay rotting in the rain. I'm from the Black-eyed Susan that grew among the burs. I am from kerosene heaters and cheese steaks, young intelligent mother and hard-working father. I am from books, trees, and a baseball diamond full of broken glass and empty beer cans. I am from sidewalks and sunshine crowds and busses people ambling, running, pushing. I am from ice cream cones and lemonade licking, sipping, relaxing. I am from Mother West Wind, World Book and the Green Ridge Branch. I am from dogs and cats, lizards, snakes and rats. I am from heart on my sleeve to heart in my work, to heart in my family again. I am from family, porches, green-climbing vines. From easels and a black Singer machine. The city, my heartbeat; colors, my imgination; words, my mind. Husband and daughter, my soul. I am from my mommy, my daddy from summers on the Rhine and winters on the Hudson and imaginary TV lands with happy endings, from the first step is admitting you have a problem and "My retainder is $2000" and I'm sorry for your loss; he was a wonderful father - I am from coal mines, from pizza and tomatoes home grown. from mentors and teachers and leading advice. I am from Midwest patchworks cream chip beef Rich black earth the color of my hair church ladies, and overflowing petunias I am from Nancy Drew and lemon juice on freckled arms. I am from Rollo May and Napoleon. I am not a woman. I am DYNAMITE! I am from deceptions and discretions Hidden truths and published lies The things that grow But never really change I am from the artist's brush the loving idealist A paradox of purpose and passion. I am from the world from a long line of perfectly imperfect human beings. I am from life and all that life can offer.