Writers' Corner

If you have a poem, song lyrics or a short story and you would like to share it with the readers of The Statesman now is your chance.

Email or mail us your submission and look for it in an upcoming issue of The Statesman.
            "Yodeling Cowboy"
  I'm a yodeling cowboy,
  I yodel the whole day thru;
  Just say the word and
  I'll yodel my song to you.
  I yodel to my cows each night
  While the moon is shining bright;
  So don't be blue for I'll yodel to you
  With my yodel le-de-le-o-la-he hoooo.
        --Thomas Howard
      East Texas Retirement
  Having retired to Texas from "up North" nearly two years ago, I'd like to share
a few things I've discovered about my new state:
  ~ Fire Ants: Twice attacked, who knew they were tiny, black and ferocious
instead of big and red?   I now understand their "fire" comes from the sting, not
the color.
  ~ Witch Hazel to treat fire ant blisters.
  ~ Piggy's BBQ.
  ~ Quick weight loss -- when it's hot and humid and you've got to be outdoors,
the fat just drips off.
  ~ Lawn watering throughout the winter months.
  ~ Weeding flower beds all year long.
  ~ Loud and cheery "Hello" when entering the supermarket.
  ~ Waves from and to passing cars (asking for trouble "up North").
  ~ Tex Mex.
  ~ City emergency sirens.
  ~ NOAA Weather Radio.
  ~ Bermuda grass - who knew it wasn't a choking vine ready to devour my new
trees?   "Up North" grass grows straight up out of the soil and does not send out
runners.
  ~ Pop's fried chicken.
  ~ Ceiling fans in every room.
  ~ Significance of weather-related "dry lines."
  ~ Windy winter days too numerous to count.
  ~ Living in a city with one traffic light.
  ~ No traffic jams.
  ~ No snow, very much appreciated.
  ~ West Texas dust reaching East Texas.
  ~ Pest control treatments all year long; the bugs just never die.
  ~ Friendliness and helpfulness of my new Texas friends and neighbors. What a
nice group of people.
   --Sue Breck, Chandler, Texas
              Kitty's Love
  Early morning coffee in hand,
  Watching a golden sun rise
  And the early stirring of birds.
  My cat in my lap, purring,
  Her eyes on my face speaking
  Volumes of love without words.
  Asking little, but giving much,
  Companion, confidante, friend,
  Silent listener, offering a song
  And love at a long day's end.
  Happily sharing my good times,
  A comfort when things go wrong.
  When I'm feeling down and blue,
  A soft paw's touch on my cheek,
  Or a gentle purr in my ear
  Touches my heart and the hurt
  Is melted away by the love
  That brushes aside a tear.
     --Dorothy Miller Birdwell