Life has a way of testing us—through pain that lingers, losses that shake us, and unexpected challenges that demand resilience. Yet even in the hardest of years, poetry can become a vessel for release, reflection, and renewal.

This month’s poems capture the spectrum of what it means to endure and to live fully: from the relentless pursuit of healing, to the serendipity of new connections, to the quiet wisdom of protecting one’s spirit, and the steadfastness of identity in uncertain times. They remind us that even in the “year from hell,” we are never without strength, humor, or hope.

Year from Hell/Year of Pain

Perhaps you wondered where I’ve been this past year
Perhaps you didn’t
In any case, here’s what’s been happening
In my life

It started slowly last summer,
Almost an entire year ago,
Trying to get rid of pain
Which had steadily worsened

In the beginning,
I hardly noticed
Massages seemed to help
So, I had a few

Persistence being my strength and my weakness,
I tried everything
All someone had to do was suggest something
Or show it on Facebook

Things I tried included sneakers,
I must have ordered eight pairs
Sneakers for alignment, sneakers for hip pain, barefoot sneakers
I bought them all

And the doctors – three orthopedists,
One who injected cortisone
That may have caused tears,
Two Physical Therapists, one Chiropractor

Four months in Florida, unable to walk,
Yet having to deal with a plethora of dentists, oral surgeons,
Endodontists and implant specialists,
All of whom seemed to have offices in Boynton Beach

Tried devices that you stand on, devices that you strap on,
Some with catchy names like Bodyfeet or Jelliebend
Not to mention books, courses, exercise programs,
Stretches, writing and meditation

And remedies of all types
Creams and salves, roll-ons and extracts,
Pain killers of varying strengths
Aspirin, Tylenol and Advil

Supplements that made me itch
And over the counter meds like Sciatiease
And drank enough water
To flood a small town

Even tried diets
Like gluten-free,
Sugan -free and alcohol- free
Well, only one ounce of vodka or tequila

Social activities were limited
To appointments that had to be kept
Or small outings that were painful
Whether I went out or stayed home

And then it happened – finally
An orthopedist who didn’t even bother to read my chart
Referred me to a Pain Doctor, my savior,
Who injected steroids into my spine

I honestly thought I had this aging thing beat
And found out that I’m just like everyone else,
If the choice is between pain or aging
I’ll choose aging every time

~Stephanie Sloane, author of “Dear Me”

You Never Know

I just met a man in the laundry room,
Not on an app or even on zoom,
He was bent over a washing machine,
I knew right there he was cute and clean,

You never know girls when a man shows up,
Could be at the grocery or buying a cup,
Of freshly brewed coffee at the corner shop,
Or even in the elevator about to stop,

Good gracious just get out of the house,
Put on makeup and a colorful blouse,
You never know who you might accidentally meet,
Just have a nice smile and be ready to greet,

Your next husband or a sweet boyfriend!
Honestly, it happened with nothing to pretend,
I can’t begin to tell you the fun it has brought,
This is a lesson that can certainly be taught,

Get up, get out and remember this,
Throw out the old rules for life and bliss,
You never know whom you’re going to kiss,
This is an adventure you should not miss,

Who knows where it will end,
I don’t care, I have a new friend,

The benefits are yet to come. Ohhhhhhh yeah!

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

It did a number

Hear when you listened
In one ear and out the other
What is being said and happening around you or anyone for that matter
Must not and should not affect your health and well being
Dealing with it and moving on
Shut it off
Tune it out
But continue being the kind and caring human being you are and always have been
Take care of yourself before it does a number on you like it did a number on me

~Madlyn Epstein Steinhart, author “Put Your Boots on and Dance in the Rain,” and “Beautiful Heart”

Star of David

The thing is
I cannot sleep in any jewelry
except my plain gold wedding band.
Every morning
since October 7th
after I shower
I choose to put on
my Magen David necklace
wrapping it around
my yet to be dried
droplet covered chest.
I wear it all day
on my heart,
anywhere I go,
never tucking it away,
just in case.
When I return home at night,
I remove all my other
rings, bracelets and such,
but do not want to take off
that tiny delicate shining star
until the last possible moment
before slumber,
when I need to be free and clear
perhaps to dream,
of peace for all
in my homeland.

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