Why I am doing this:
Those of you who know me well, know J, and how important to myself and David she and her mom, the first residents of Ithaca’s Sanctuary Alliance, are! They have become completely independent, partly on account of support from multiple organizations that have launched other “30 poems in 30 days” challenges. J, now eight years old, has become a competent reader, and just had her first violin lesson at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. She is one of the most delightful children we have ever known, with a determined and wonderful Mom.
I, Barbara, now seventy-four years old, am hoping to publish a second book of poems in the next year or two. The poems in my first volume, The Chessmaster’s Daughter, were originally drafted in three earlier “30 poems in 30 days” challenges, for the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, for the Ithaca Sanctuary Alliance, and for the first such challenge offered by The Center for New Americans, in Northampton, where, on a sabbatical from Colgate, my newish career as a poet began. So my participation in this event represents one of those perfect storms of inspiration! Thanks, in advance for whatever support you can provide!
