"Random Impressions Of Summer: A Portrait Of Innocence"

Marigolds ripening in the sun.
Baseball cards slapping bike spokes.
Blackened marshmallows dripping on embers.

Oil rainbows dance on the drive.
Ice cream sealing fingers closed.
Decapitated grass bleeding on the lawn.

Bagworm buckets, a penny a carcass.
Echoes of a ball demolished by a bat.
Lightning bugs frantic in cupped palms.

Fan blades drone rearranging heat.
Blackberry fingers stuffing my face.
Night raiders swoop to imbibe from the pool.

Dandelion chains adorn my hair.

HTSteele

HTSteele's recounting of her childhood continues with this moving and inspirational poem.
hrallen

"Daddy's Hand"

My hand cocooned, wrapped
in the silks of your calluses
nestled in your grasp
till your fingers uncurled
and I emerged.

HTSteele

A beautiful recounting of HTSteels childhood with her father. A published poem full of depth and emotions.

hrallen

"Marigold Resurrection"

The sun worn
from a day's work
leaned against the roof
of the yellow brick house
across the road
with no dividing line.


The child plucked a marigold
once orange, now dead-
peeled its husk
shucked its past
and sprouted a treasure
of spear-like seeds.


She poked a grubby finger
deep into loam, sowed the seeds
that would flower into a poem
late on a Sunday night
thirty-six years after the poet
washed the soil from her nails.
HTSteele

The poem is about Ms. Steele as a child. It is a memory of her love of the marigold when she was young, defined in her adult life.
hrallen

"Ascension"

HTSteele demonstrates more talent with this true to life painting. "Ascension" defines yet another aspect of poetry HTSteele envisions in her life. Acrylic on canvas, "Ascension" is a remarkable piece.

"Tennessee"

Poppy cackled
from his cracked wood
unpainted porch
and spit a stream.

The boy perched
stalking game still,
crouching in the meadow,
aiming to catch him a lark.

Poppy cackled,
"You a sight boy,
you a sight,"
flushing his prey.

HTSteele

HTSteele is a published author of poetry and stories.
A Graduate of Miami University of Ohio, Honors with Distinction, HTSteele dedicates herself to the education system teaching high school English.

"Abstract Girl Posing"

This is my first painting. My love of art has led me to do "Abstract Girl Posing"; acrylic on canvas. As I go thru life, I have developed a greater appreciation for the arts. In so much, that I have decided to devote my later years painting. Now that I am painting, I have a deeper appreciation for artists. I felt such expressions of freedom and creativity while doing this piece. I hope you enjoy viewing it as I did painting it. I will release more of my work as I produce them, as well as those of other artists.

hrallen

"Untitled"

A new addition to my collection is this fun and colorful work from Grace A. Schwab. Grace demonstrates her ability to be unpredictable in this untitled piece. Whimsy in style, Grace draws from the forms of great artists to complete this compelling painting. Grace's ability to use watercolors to create feeling is none more telling in this mixed media painting. A truly wonderful example of Grace's creativeness is demonstrated in this expressionistic view of everyday life.