Sand Blasted Dogs

A beach in the Dominican. Wow the wind! An attempt at normalcy-comfortably lounging with a book- becomes a battle against the elements. We should just take example from the sand blasted dogs. They lie curled up and tired, heads down low, not much notice of the stinging sands like thousands of tiny needles coating the…… Continue reading Sand Blasted Dogs

Rainbows

An Ark of color. A whimsy thing. Sometimes full, sometimes double. Bright, or hazy. Almost always emits a thrill; to share, to capture, journal in your memory books. As if the gods themselves came down and put a ring of gold on your finger, we claim a promise. Whatever it is we conjure to take…… Continue reading Rainbows

Cemetery Walks

The sunny, frigid wind knifes at my cheeks, sharp, stinging and burning, no blood to prove it. My legs aren’t there, yet they keep moving stiffly forward. With Raybans aloft, I tilt and squint at the towering gothic monuments to death. A full blown statue of a man stands atop a concrete structure that is…… Continue reading Cemetery Walks

Here’s Your Sign

                A redbird came knocking. I looked up from my comfy spot on the sectional. I just wrote a letter to my friend. Through my tears, I saw the beautiful cardinal on my sliding glass door looking at me. He knocked again, his beak tapping the glass. “Hello”, I said, or thought. A few seconds…… Continue reading Here’s Your Sign

A Poem 4/6/2020

submitted by Gloria Herms, contributing writer The doors closed. The sun silently slips through the back window, making herself known as a slice of yellow across the dusty table. The particles arise and dance in adoration.             A shuffle in the dark, a grunt, …..low voice…., mumbles,… a sigh. The sofa sags on one side.…… Continue reading A Poem 4/6/2020

April 3, 2020— A journal entry

submitted by Gloria Herms, contributing writer I go to work with these half-faced people- my colleagues. Most I’ve known for years, now in this new norm- a barrier divides us. I often don’t recognize a familiar face that is masked as eyes peer out; every single person, every day, for 8 hours straight. I see…… Continue reading April 3, 2020— A journal entry

Finding Happy During a Pandemic

submitted by Gloria Herms, contributing writer It’s Sophia’s birthday today. She’s three. Rachael will be making a wonderful cake for her. They will celebrate it with their little family. No extended family- my heart is breaking. I cry almost every morning as I am hit with the loneliness of distance and no touching. No hugging.…… Continue reading Finding Happy During a Pandemic

Thirst

  submitted by Gloria Herms contributing writer I feel lonely at times- So I am ever grateful for the beautiful days; to get outside for walks. I step up my stride on this paved path surrounded by hills of green grass and flowering trees. The scene ahead of me is coming into view- a group of…… Continue reading Thirst

Exemplar Submitted 8/18/2019

submitted by Gloria Herms contributing writer As Pat Benner (1989) suggests that “Nursing is a caring practice guided by the moral art and ethics of care and responsibility that unfold in relationships between nurses and patients “, St. Elizabeth Healthcare has adopted a pledge to pursue improved care team-patient communication and overall patient experience in…… Continue reading Exemplar Submitted 8/18/2019

This Ironic Life

written by Gloria Herms,  contributing writer. This ironic life A promise of summer             A threat of doom The birds are singing;             While the spring flowers bloom Preparations are made              As the death toll doth rise We still praise God;             We know He hears our cries. There’s no escaping it.              It’s…… Continue reading This Ironic Life