THEN AND NOW
POEMS AND PRAYERS FROM A LIFETIME
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
THE PLEASURE OF THE SENSES
Children’s laughter in the park,
Crickets chirping on a summer’s night,
The mournful cooing of a dove,
My cat’s purring as she’s stroked.
Piano music in the high register,
The close harmony of a church choir.
The patter of raindrops on the skylight,
The crunch of footsteps on new snow.
Sunset over the
Storm clouds with the sun peeking through.
Reds, purples, turquoise, lime on my palette,
The sparkle of diamonds, topaz, tanzanite.
My grandbaby’s shiny black eyes,
And her pink, bow-shaped lips.
Deep blue skies peeking through trees,
Purple mountains rising in the distance.
Strawberries and cream,
Hot crisp French fries,
Pineapple and mango textures,
Ice cold beer on a hot summer’s eve.
Ice cream rich with sugar and eggs,
Salt on a frozen margarita,
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Although Then and Now is her first book of poems and prayers, she has published essays and poems in journals, co-authored a book with her husband, and has received at least one award from a writer’s conference in her home town. Included in this volume are her poems written from the 1970’s to the present. The writings represent an outpouring of her memories, her anxieties, her joys, and her hopes for the future. Her closeness to family, to nature, to the Divine, and to her fellow man are elegized in this little book.
About the Author
Mary Ann Stafford was born in