Creations Poetry & Art

The Color of a Man
by Fred Byrnes, Huntington Station, NY

After leaving the wake
of a team mate,
he walked outside
where on the sidewalk
someone yelled:
“It’s Jackie”
And then a crowd took up the cry,
“Hey Jackie, hey Jackie Robinson”
He waved, this old warrior
who’d suffered two heart attacks
who’s eyesight was being taken
by severe diabetes
Gone was the swift young man
in a Brooklyn Dodger uniform
who frustrated the throwing arms
of catchers as he stole bases
making such larceny seem like
a most effortless endeavor
That same young man
who carried unconstitutional prejudice
on broad, strong, shoulders
Ignoring those 1947 death threats,
the ignorant racial slurs
that stained baseball stadiums
flying the red white and blue
Hey, old gray-haired warrior
waving to the crowd
Hey, Jackie,
who always knew
the color of his skin
Hey Jackie Robinson,
who showed a nation
the true color of a man

A Poem for Bill
by Bryon D. Howell, New Haven, CT

I’ve never written anything for dad.
He disappeared before I had a name.
My Gram and Pop were all I really had.
When parents aren’t ready, who’s to blame?
I’ve never seen a photograph for Bill.
My mother ripped them all up years ago.
They said I look like him, that doesn’t fill -
the nothingness of self I’ll never know.
It’s hard to write without a single clue
about a man without a voice or face.
So consequently, this will have to do -
a sonnet more about a mom’s disgrace.
They said that every picture told a tale.
My heart tells me Dad’s not the one who failed.

On Yet Another Birthday
by Ruth Sabath Rosenthal, New York City

my prized mirco cassette
i keep stashed away
in my dresser drawer
but for this day
each year when i take it
out of its velvet-lined box
to play and replay
my father’s message
promising he’ll return
my call soon
as possible

 

Haiku
by Gerald Starlight, Roosevelt Island, NY
 
Blessed grains of earth
Glistening with morning sun
Pastures turning green
 

 

For Michelle
by Maureen h Spisak, Huntington Station, NY

You announced yourself
With the gentle flutter
Of butterfly wings
I rejoiced in wonder

You are a spot of sunlight
Blue of the azure sky
Yellow of falling leaves
Green of pine needles
Everything to me

Bound together in love
We share our wings
Spread them wide
Through the world we glide

You dance in the air
Flit here, fly there
For one brief moment
You belong to me
Then I remember
Butterflies are free

My Friends
by Bernice Stock, Huntington Station, NY

My written words have become my best friend.
The time I use to wield the thoughts
Fulfills my lonely moments
With joy, query …
Wondrous moments, in which
I can ascend to heights unknown
Or sink to the depth of questioning my existence.
Both leave me transfixed, inspired and fulfilled.
I thank my Higher Power for the joy
With the hope that it extends to the end
Of my time on this plane.

Fred’s Shoes watercolour by Jahn Guarino
jahnsart.com, quotesncards.com

You only have to look at the delicacy, subtlety, and timeless style of Jahn Guarino to know that you are looking at the work of a fine artist who is capable of capturing the essence and beauty in diverse subjects - flowers, landscapes, still life vignettes and portraits. Jahn is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and is owner of Guarino Graphics, Earth Medicine Greeting cards and ecards at estickies.com. You can be assured that the beauty and special-ness of her work will never fade. Originals and prints available ~ Images for licensing & commissioned projects.