Curled Up I feel disconnected Far away Closed down Remote Protective of my inner self Untrusting of the outside world Shocked by the cruelty I see The rudeness The lack of respect The anger The lies I want to be trusting Open Willing to share Unafraid Open-armed But I am not Not now Not when…
Author: lenleatherwood
I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 26 years in Los Angeles. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing teacher, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of three darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 39 years.
Repost: “Out of the Dark,” a Flash Fiction Story
Mary Theresa was tired. Tired of feeling out of control; tired of feeling lost. She went out to the porch of her house on the lake and stared at the dark night. She couldn’t help but wonder why she had been put on this earth, particularly now that she was out of a job, out…
Maya Angelou’s 10 Rules For Success Are a Wonderful Reminder on What’s Important in This Life
This is not only informative, but also so up-lifting. Here are the ten: 1_ Just do right! 2) Be courageous 3) Love 4) Laugh 5) Be a blessing to somebody 6) Turn struggles into triumphs 7) You are talented 8) Learn to say no 9) Always do your best 10) Keep rising (You have to…
“A Change Is Gonna Come” – A Little Hope from Sam Cooke Written in 1964
Sam wrote this song in solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement in 1964. He also wrote it out of outrage when he, his wife and brother were turned away from an All-White motel when they were touring in Louisiana in 1963. Also, he said he was inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind,” and…
Life in Covid-Time: Working Hard to Quiet My Cantankerous Voice
I have noted lately that I have to be careful which voice I listen to in my head. Over the last little while (Covid-19 might be to blame), I’ve heard an awful lot from that cantankerous, opinionated person in my head who makes lots of negative pronouncements. For example, I actually found myself thinking the…
Tom Williams, a Real Boy Who Was So Sweet that I Created, at Age 3, an Imaginary Friend Named, “Tommy Wizzims”
Today I saw on Facebook that one of my hometown Texas friends had added my name to a photo that she posted. When I looked, my brother Jim was in the photo along with several other kids. One of those kids was Tommy Williams, who was one of my brother Jim’s best friends back then….
Learning About Life From 3 Amazing Black Women Writers
I have been teaching a class through Story Circle Network called, “Exploring Prejudice with the Help of Five Acclaimed Black Women Writers.” We are in our second week, and in Week One we focused on Zora Neale Hurston and this week on Toni Cade Bambara. Over the next three weeks, we’ll cover Maya Angelou, Toni…
A Thought-Provoking Poem By Poet and Philosopher David Whyte
“Sometimes” can be found in David Whyte’s collection Everything Is Waiting for You. This poem is read here by Whyte himself. He is referencing his fascination with Native American stories he read while growing up. This is an invitation to stop everything and allow those important questions that are part of our inner world to have…
A Poem by Pablo Neruda that Describes My Husband to a T
The Citizenby Pablo NerudaParis Review Issue no. 57 (Spring 1974) I went into the tool shopsin all innocenceto buy a simple hammeror some vague scissors.I should never have done it.Since then and restlesslyI devote my time to steel,to the most shadowy tools:hoes bring me to my knees,horseshoes enslave me. I am troubled all week,chasing aluminum…
Using Some of the Wisdom of Alanon to Cope with Every Day Trials
I have had the occasion over the past few days to talk to several people who are in pain. In one case, a parent is worried about an adult child who is having serious issues; in another, a friend is worried about another friend who is terminally ill. Worry is the operative word here. Worry…
