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.

Second and Main Crossing

It's five o'clock and I'm on my way home from the shop where I work. As I roll my motorized wheel chair to the curb of Second and Main and watch the cars whizzing by, I think, Oh, dear, traffic is extra heavy tonight. Heavier and noisier than I've seen for a while. I wonder what's going on. Where are all these people going in such a hurry? All those drivers in all kinds of cars just zipping along like they didn't have a care in the world.

Oh, yes. I remember what it's like. I used to be one of them. How glad I was at the end of the work day to be hurrying home, getting out of the city, and looking forward to a quiet evening.

But, that was then. My wheels are different now. No more speeding along in my little red car. I'm a bit slower now, but I still get around, and I have much to be thankful for.

Sometimes as I sit here watching traffic and waiting for a chance to cross over, a hand touches my shoulder and a soft voice says, "I'll help you across if you wish to go," and once again I know the kindness of my fellow travellers, and thank God for my blessings.

by Dorothy Miller Birdwell

BEGINNING A NEW YEAR

Another year has come and gone,
And what do I have to show?
I pause to reflect and wonder --
Oh, where does the fleeting time go?
The passing years are now history,
I cannot recapture those days.
Do I dwell on the past -- or the future?
Is my life but an obscure haze?
The years roll by -- one by one,
A time I can ne'er reclaim.
God has given me abundant talents
To glorify and exalt His name.
Have I done my very best, I muse,
With charity toward my fellowman?
Have I used the time God has given
To do the best I can?
"Do unto others," says the Golden Rule,
"As you'd have them do unto you."
A new beginning for a happy New Year;
A simple rule the whole year through
Submitted by Otis Rainwater

DREAMING OF KNOWLEDGE

I was following this woman, in a white flowing gown, through the woods. She kept looking back at me. I had the feeling I knew her, but I couldn't call her by name. We reached the edge of the woods and I could see a mausoleum. It had white columns in front and she ran inside. When I got to the mausoleum there was no door for me to enter. I walked around it many times. I had a feeling I just had to get to her.

As I came around the back again, I saw an old man by a water well; I ran to him. I was so thirsty and just wanted a drink of cool water. As I placed the ladle in the water and lifted it for a drink, the old man stopped me before the water could even touch my lips. The old man spoke and said, "It is not yet time." Not all that come to the Well of Knowledge can drink from it. He turned and walked away saying, "All in good time," and then he was gone.

By Katrina Edwards