Author: admin

How was I to know you would be as transient as the pastel pink blossoms blooming on my peach tree, their petals swept away by the wind, drying out, dying? I thought you’d be there forever, loving me, telling me I was your favorite grandma.

I chose the old fixer-upper for its location on a large flat corner lot in the center of an unpaved S-turn in the road.

I love you more than the moonlight on Long Lake
Or her water on my skin

She turned from the mirror, still brushing her hair: ten, eleven, twelve. Clothes put away, bed as tautly made as a soldier’s; big fat, faded Pooh-Bear, showing his advanced years, propped on the lone pillow; Mother’s seascape behind the bed the only splash of real color on pale peach wallpaper. Not to complain about the watercolor, but all her friends had puffy pillows, bedspreads and drapes in bold colors, and rock groups’ posters on their walls.

One July morning back in the early ‘80s my father appeared in brand-new sweats and running shoes. Without a word to anyone he headed outside and trotted off down our drive.

Mayflower By Claire Shao (age 8)             “Sir, we had a pair of mischievous youngsters running around; and now they are seasick. Hmm! I can’t believe it! I told them to behave. Sorry Captain!” John Clarke’s...