Five poets stand at the intersections of change, humor, and renewal. Stephanie Sloane reflects on the calm wisdom that comes from trusting life’s timing and letting transitions unfold naturally. Marjorie J. Levine humorously dismantles the idea of “relatability,” celebrating generational quirks and individuality. Carol Ostrow reminds us that joy and indulgence are part of living fully, even when the mirror disagrees. Nicole Freezer Rubens captures the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms — a meditation on impermanence and appreciation. And Madlyn Epstein Steinhart finds empowerment in reclaiming self-worth after years of putting others first. Together, these voices form a mosaic of resilience, humor, and grace at life’s many crossroads.

Crossroads Again

I’m at that stage again
Familiar now, having been there so many times before
Is this the reason for multiple careers
So many moves?
I feel another one coming
But this time, it will be different, slower
Revealing itself over time,
Unhurried
I will not make decisions
But will let life happen
When I first moved here
It was under pressure – my own
Now, I move more slowly
I am older, trust more
It was not wrong to come
I wrote a play,
Found a director who believed in me,
Helped me bring it to life
It’s not over yet
New connections replaced old
Now I hear, “you sound so happy”
They refer to my new small apartment
Perhaps I can live with less
It’s no longer instead of
But in addition to
There is no pressure
Just a big question mark
We’ll see how it all turns out
How life happens

~ Stephanie Sloane is the author of “Dear Me”

RELATABLE

I read a book by a nepo baby in the Lucky Sperm Club today
And so many criticized the essays saying she lost her way.
But I thought differently, thinking she had so much to say.

Some are talking about the books “relatability” which is confusing
Whoa! The book is about her, not me or you, and complaints are bemusing.

Deeper into the soul of the book, as I peeled away the layers
I became angry about her whiners and the disgruntled naysayers.

She wrote about a nail color called Blueberry Milk
And it seemed to be shiny and when applied look like silk.
I wore a shade decades ago called Fire and Ice
And I waved my hand around because it was so pretty and nice.

She watches Gilmore Girls to calm down every day
And I watch Match Game with Gene Rayburn, hooray!

She is addicted to her smart phone and scrolls and scrolls
And I am attached to my land line with rotary holes.

She references Venmo and Tik Tok and sends a FAX.
I still write checks and watch videos on Betamax.

She goes to have matcha lattes at night
And I run to Carvel after a late bite.

I loved Nancy Drews and never aspired to be a detective solving mysteries
These complaints are silly, infuriating, and try to impact readers’ histories.

I can enjoy a book and need no self-involved connection to a journey
Just like my Grandma Bess watched Judge Judy and she was no attorney.

Relatable.
Schlamatable.

~Marjorie J. Levine is the author of several books including “Road Trips” and “The Bumps in the Road”

You Have to Live Life to the Fullest

Why oh why are my pants fitting so tight?
I woke up this morning feeling ever so slight,
Not having eaten a thing late last night.
Why, I even denied myself that cheesecake delight,
Not a morsel, not a taste, not a single bite,
For dessert.

After so little that I consumed at the table.
I tell you, it’s enough to make me unstable.
Do I have to consider running from midnight to noon?
Or peddle my bike halfway to the moon,
To use up calories that I barely consume?

Well… yes, I am afraid that is the truth of food,
And the way it is used, please do not brood.
So, in fact, just look at it this way,
I promise you won’t have to groan to display,
Your body in the mirror…….turn only half way!

For heaven’s sake you have lived this long,
Remember, a starving bird sings no song.
Go ahead, indulge, don’t be so strong.
You can eat without feeling terribly wrong.

Take it from me, what I’ve learned this Fall,

Just get a new pair of pants…..slightly bigger, that’s all.

~Carol Ostrow, author of “Poems from my Pandemic Pen,” and “Poetry in Motion with Much Emotion”

Temporary Trees

We are all taking
zoomed in photos
staring in the face
of the pink cherry blossoms,
wishing to jump in
and be swallowed up
by a pink paradise.
Click fast,
before the delicate petals
sail to the ground
like snow in springtime sun,
leaving puffs of pink glory
to frolic in
before they scatter and decompose.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens, author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”

Better Late than Never

Bullied
Put the past in a rear view mirror no longer visible
Came shining through later than planned
Put others first and forgot about me thinking that was selfish
In some cases selfless
Thinking alot more clearly than before because too many rained on my parade
Sorry not any longer
Always the first to help someone else
Put myself on the back of the shelf lost and alone
See this is my moment even it is small and unseen to others
Better Late than Never

~Madlyn Epstein Steinhart if the author of several books including, “Beautiful Heart” and “Found at Last”