Enjoy these inspirational and thought-provoking poems from our poets!

The Power of words
 
If you have nothing to contribute that is positive
Say nothing
Think it but keep to yourself
Self-edit
Agree to disagree
Act don't react
Without words and thoughts actions are clueless
Think before you speak
It is not only what you say
It's how you say it
Simplicity has its place
Eloquence has its place
It is not only what you say
It is how you say it
Messages and stories are very important
towards the power of words
 
~Madlyn Epstein Steinhart, author of Put Your Boots on and Dance in the Rain
 
 
 
With The weeds                                            
 
This year
as I see the perfectly round
intricately constructed dandelions
spout from the filthy city grounds,
I do not hesitate
to pluck a plant of hope
from urban Mother Earth’s surface
and blow it to smithereens.
Last year I hesitated to touch
anything outside
and certainly could not dream
of blowing my germs forcefully
into the world,
possibly spreading Covid
to my neighbors.
Today I spot a perfectly round dandelion
swaying in the balance
of a spring breeze,
anchored by its sturdy thick stem,
and do not think twice
about crouching down
to rip it from its bearings,
inhale and exhale deeply
for the purpose of
making a wish
and recalling what it was like to be 6.
I wonder how
this small weed superstition started,
if any of my dandelion dreams came true,
and if it’s ok to wish
for something
that is just for me.
 
~ Nicole Freezer Rubens, author of The Long Pause and the Short Breath…Poems & Photos & Reflections on New York City’s Pandemic
 
Possessions and Memories
 
Difficult to draw the imaginary line
When shedding those things
That are no longer necessary
An old expression about
Not discarding the baby
With the bathwater comes to mind
Thank goodness instincts kick in
Just at the moment of contacting
The seller of items
I discover that I want to keep them
They make me whole
 
 ~ Stephanie Sloane, author of Dear Me: Poems of Loss, Grief, and Hope in New York’s Darkest Days
 
The Simple Things
 
Today I am bursting with energy and love,
The warmth of the weather, a gift from above,
I need no jacket to keep out the cold,
In this climate, I will never, ever feel old.
The sun gives us strength to conquer, be bold,
It is a wonderous time, the truth be told. 
Summer, and the living is easy,  the lyrics say,
I believe those words on this beautiful day.
Won't you please join in, come out and play?
 
Honestly, it's time to be joyful now,
Get rid of that frown from your troubled brow,
The vaccine's here, soon the mask is  gone too,
The attitude of gratitude is all up to you.
 
Smile, love, live, and please call a friend,
This is truly the beginning, hardly the end!! 
 
~Carol Ostrow, author of Poems from My Pandemic Pen