Beverly Finney's "Quest" after Shauna Caldwell

Beverly Finney reads her poem inspired by the Shauna Caldwell photograph exhibited in the FOUND - Art of Community collection at Alexander County Library. Art of Poetry Catawba Valley toured the library on July 13, 2019.

QUEST
by Beverly Finney
after Goldenrod by Shauna Caldwell

Already, I am missing you too much,
regretting what I can’t retrieve.
What I have, besides, are hazy memories
of laughter, shared heartaches, comfort.

Now, I am a beggar wishing
for a winged horse I could ride
into the deep hereafter
in search of hours carelessly lost,
strike some bargain to retrieve them.

In its place, I shall climb to the stars
in the dark, looking for the tall stalk
of fire you have become, ethereal,
now too perfect for this day-to-day world.

—In memory of Betty Jean Farthing Hughes—

Patricia Deaton's "The Year We Lost Ourselves" after Mona Woody

Patricia Deaton photographed beside the Mona Woody painting that inspired her poem at Alexander County Library on July 13, 2019.

THE YEAR WE LOST OURSELVES

by Patricia Deaton

after Dream Up by Mona Woody

She was gone in March, unexpectedly.

We collectively missed her; 

the mother, daughter, wife, sister,

cousin and grandmother of two

who eventually wouldn’t remember her at all.

Without warning, no more of her laughter

or self-deprecating humor; no one to ask 

when her helpful heart gave out. 

We tried to celebrate the birthdays that came.

Without her, our cheer rang hollow, especially 

on her own birthday. Then on her son’s,

who gulped and smiled through his bewilderment. 

Easter, and the little ones wore rabbit ears

hid plastic eggs, a surprise in each. We knew 

we would never be surprised again by anything.

Mother’s Day lasted a thousand days.

Fireworks on the 4th lit our faces 

hollow-eyed and reverent in a shower of light

that disappeared like sparks going out.

On Halloween, no one wanted to participate.

No trick could match Death’s trick. No treat, enough.

We bowed to Thanksgiving and Christmas, still

couldn’t say that she had died. Instead we said

When she was sick or when that happened to her

as if she had miraculously made it through 

and we weren’t all changed forever.

Betty O'Hearn's "Touching Digits" after Chris Parsons

TOUCHING DIGITS

by Betty O’Hearn

after Different and Yet the Same
by Northview Middle School 6th Grade Students
                                                                  with teacher Chris Parsons

         

If only more of them touched.

If only more of you cared.

If only there was not so much hate.

We need to listen to their pain.

We need to reach out.

We need to show more tenderness.

It doesn’t matter if they are strange.

It doesn’t matter if they are soiled.

It doesn’t matter if they are unusual.

If only we touched each other more.

We need to touch a stranger’s digits.

Just reach out, and spread your love!

Melissa Hager's "Stained" after Paul Sink

STAINED

by Melissa Hager

after Paul Sink’s Open Doors Lead

                           to New Experiences of Community

Hundreds of meals dished, donated

Trader Joe's steaks ground to make

meatloaf. Buttered bread, baskets

passed back for more. Big people,

little people, homeless on the streets,

community surviving day by day

on handouts, shared cigarettes.

Mary in the kitchen works

magic on beef, stewed cabbage,

fluffy biscuits. Sherrill mans the pans,

baking sheets filled with golden

topped delicacies. Amy directs

serving bowls; knows every square

inch available on countertops to fill.

Served home-style, the closest

many will get. All said and devoured,

kitchen to clean, mats to carry

out and wash. Later notice stains

on T-shirt, pray they will wash

away. But they don't; meat grease

marks its territory for keeps.

Then, like grandma refusing to wash

window fingerprints left from grandbaby

visits, decide to like imperfections.

Testimony for the day the body of Christ

was served on the streets. Of His damaged

hands, bloodstains, a great sacrifice.

Amen, amen.

-for Haywood Street Congregation, Asheville, NC