These poems move through patriotism, personal upheaval, chosen connection, and the quiet courage of opening doors for others. Nicole Freezer Rubens reflects on America’s evolving symbols and her own shifting family landscape; Carol Ostrow urges grace, humor, and generosity; Madlyn Epstein Steinhart honors the sensitive souls who create and the companions who help them step forward.

250

250 years of different versions
of red, white and blue,
a long and short history
all at once.
I remember 1976
like it was 50 years ago.
The proudly painted bicentennial fire hydrant
on the corner of Lexington Avenue
is long faded
and has been repainted a chalky black
dozens of times,
but it is still there.
Love of country
covered potato chip bags
and Pepsi cans
lined the bodega shelves.
Quarters had drummers
in funny hats.
Anticipation merged with reflection,
star-spangling our collective mood.

That was the same year
my parents split up,
shifting the bedrock
that was our 2-bedroom rental
my whole life.
For a long while
when I came home to my father’s
on Thursdays and every other weekend,
the USA paint shone,
and only slowly cracked off
of the iron plug.
Our shared patriotic moment
faded over time
and regular packaging
stocked our cupboards again.

Fresh waters
still flow from that concrete.
New York water runs fast,
and rates well,
always high in fluoride.
With change disappearing
from our coin purses,
a bicentennial quarter emerges,
giving me hope
for our tricentennial.

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

Nothing Begets Nothing

So you may not be happy with your life,
Perhaps it’s filled with twists and strife,
Have you lost your sense of humor,
And discovered what you thought was a rumor?

That everyone has to face the cold facts,
Life is yours no matter how full or what it lacks,
Joy comes with simply knowing you deserve it,
With self knowledge, a little luck and some wit,

You’re aware you can’t choose your family unit,
But you can choose your friends who are in it,
So do not get yourself into a snit,
Choose companions carefully, bit by bit,

Do something sweetly for someone in need,
Forget their color, politics or creed,
This is what makes the world a better place,
So you can look in the mirror to see a face,

That stares back with style and much earned grace!

Now that’s a life worth living.

~Carol Ostrow, author “Poetry in Motion with much Emotion”

Door Opener

Opened the door
Your talent and creativity will always get you there
You befriended a loner so be aware of what that means
As Paul Simon wrote”I have my books and poetry to protect me.”
I know it and live it.
Poets and Writers are sensitive
Sometimes Empaths
Safer alone but not lonely
Harder to love and understand
Caring,kind,Sweet,not selfish.
Selfless
That said
Your Door Opener
Wishes you much Success
Now,Open the door for another

~Madlyn Epstein Steinhart, “Beautiful Heart” and “Found at Last”