By Dennis Patton
MONTHLY POETRY MEETING
New faces
Good fellowship Everyone so much alike Well, maybe not …
New way of poetry
Lots of giggles
Good feelings all around I’ll be back …
— Jeanette Heffington Benton
By day,
A LESSON IN LOVE
As you grow older and live more of life There’s a bittersweet lesson to learn; The only thing sadder than not having loved
Is not being loved in return.
For love’s an investment—whether sound or unsure
That you make in another you need; Never pausing to think, in your daze and your dreams,
That for you, love is not guaranteed.
— Beth Mullins Bryant
MY MOUNTAINS
It took faith, not logic, to move us from flat, golden, rice country to lines of marching mountains giving views of valleys, gaps, a white river, ridges, streams, waterfalls. my mountains dress in green or blue; by night, formal black with smatterings of stars. Earthly home, celestial home.
Right off, this place adopted me.
— Pat Durmon Norfork
FIRST BLOOM
She peeks her head From under ground Then turns her face Toward the sun
The sky hermit Of yesterday
Now shows her beauty To everyone.
— Amanda Smart Benton
MAMA WARNED ME
Only minutes after
I take the plants outside, a breeze drifts in as if to say, “Too soon!”
— Pat Laster Benton
BLESSINGS
I woke up this morning
Got something to eat.
I had clothes and shoes on my feet. People were friendly, I was greeted with smiles.
And all the while, I was blessed. Without even asking for good things, I received. All because I believed
In the One who blesses thee. Only One who can and will. Though I’m not rich, and don’t live in a fine home, I’m not alone.
I have many blessings.
Thank you, Lord, for my blessings.
— Phyllis K. Steele Sheridan
THE KITES OF MARCH
When I was young I used to send My kites to climb into the wind
Years passed. I put my kites away From flying fields and raw March days. Today I watched my two sons fly
Their kites across a wind-swept sky. In each fresh year the world courts Spring with younger boys, new kites and string.
— Howard Nobles Deceased
•••
To submit poems for publication, please send poems of 16 or fewer lines to Dennis Patton, 2512 Springhill Circle, Alexander, AR 72002, or patton_dr@ hotmail.com. The Saline County Branch of PRA is scheduled to meet at 1:00 pm, at the Parkview United Methodist Church, 514 North Border Street, Benton, AR, on March 26.