The date was November 25, 2021, Thanksgiving Day. I was scheduled to work at the hospital. On my way, l was feeling a bit down because I couldn’t spend time with my family. As I entered the hospital and approached the time clock, I heard the patients talking: “Is the hospital staff preparing Thanksgiving dinner for the patients?” I turned around, smiled, wished them a happy Thanksgiving, and kept walking.
Tag: Brooklyn Public Library
The First Time I Met My Husband
It was my first time coming to America, June of 2015. I wanted to go shopping. My aunt gave me the address for a store. On my way to the store, I couldn’t remember the street. I saw two guys at a Car Mart, so I stopped and asked for directions. One of the guys said, “It’s not good to speak to strangers.” I told him I wasn’t going anywhere with a stranger; I just wanted directions.
Voting
The greatest thing that happened to me is I voted for the first time in my life at 75 years old. The first thing I had to do was get registered. I was in my literacy program, and Miss Susan and Mr. Matthew helped me fill the papers out. I think I did it online. I got my voting card in the mail. Now, I was able to vote.
Moon
Every night, the moon visits me
At my window, shining like a light bulb in my room.
Tulip
This flower needs rain and sunshine.
Underneath the soil, seeds begin to grow and sprout.
A Stormy Night
Before the rain came down, the appearance of a dark cloud changed my entire mood. There was a continuous flash of lightning, thunder, and heavy wind. It was around 6 p.m. when I took my shower. I sat on the veranda, waiting to see what was going to happen.
A Family Legend
Dear Father,
I’m writing to your memory tonight because I miss you so much. I know that no words can bring you back, and no one can replace you. I will never, ever stop loving you.
My New Job
As a health-care worker with the elderly, I never know when my job will end. My client was doing fine when I went home for the weekend, as usual. Early Monday morning, I got a call from my supervisor, saying that my client was sick and had been taken to the hospital. In less than a week, she was sent to hospice. She was lively and fun to be around; I missed her and was really sad. At the same time, I had to think about getting another job.
The Rolling Calf
My name is Peter. I was 10 years old, living with my mom and dad in St. Catherine, Jamaica. We lived near the biggest butcher shop in the town. My mother used to tell me stories about what happened to dishonest butchers when they died. The butchers would turn into rolling calves.
Secret Identity
I guess it’s true,
What my life is like for now.
Just chilling, drinking coffee,
Thinking, and praising God.
My Vote Means Nothing: A Play
Characters: Nigel and Keron, brothers
Setting: Their home in Brooklyn
Keron: Are you voting this year?
Nigel: No.
Keron: Why not?
Bank Robbery
I was on my way to the bank around 9:30 a.m. The traffic on the road caused me to arrive later than I planned. As I entered the bank and looked around, I realized that I would have to stand in line for the entire day. There were only two clerks on duty and a long line of customers. After I stood there for about an hour, my feet started to hurt. A male customer, who was third in line, was on his phone, texting and taking notice of his surroundings. It was his time to approach the clerk.
I Asked . . .
I asked my husband to make me a simple cup of tea.
He said to me, “Woman, where could the tea bags be?”
My Aunt Plays the Piano
I see my aunt, Josephine Coward
She sits at the piano with her back straight
The lovely thin fingers of her hands moving quickly
Back and forth against the white keys
Ask My Mother to Sing
It was a hot summer day in the valley.
Me and my brother went to the pond to catch fish,
but it was too hot. We caught no fish, so we decided to go home.
On the way, my brother started us singing
a song Mom loved to sing.