Great New Writing from Our Workshops in Rutland, VT!

WFR Workshop leader Bianca Amira Zanella has been leading WFR workshops in Rutland at The Turning Point Recovery Center and Rutland Pride.

Here is some wonderful work by writers Kelley Kelsey and Susand Kersavage. Please read and share!

My Roots

by Kelly Kelsey

I’m from an island
small, connected to a dingy city
by an old wrought iron bridge
a bridge I snuck across
when I was but 6 or 7 years old
with my friend –
both of us knowing
we’d get whooped
if anyone found out
(which of course, they did)

I am from a line of
people who severed, and left their roots
some having come by boat
from England in the early beginnings
of our colonies
others came from Ireland
looking for a better life, which they didn’t readily find

I am from blue collar
and all too proud
beer drinkers and smokers
who filled rooms with blue haze
and anger

I come from an unplanned event
in the lives of the baseball hero
and the cheerleader, who had dreams
but they all were swept away
with the need to care for a newborn

I come from a family where
words of love were rarely spoken
but words and actions of anger and
sexual coarseness were heard and seen
regularly

I come from discontent
and broken dreams, anger, depression,
alcoholism and “mother's little helpers”,
but I am the phoenix
who will rise from their ashes

Colors of Creation

by Kelly Kelsey

Maybe; maybe there has been some
divine purpose to this madness I’ve
experienced, though some of it
just seems ugly and hard.

Maybe the long cords of suffering
weave in and out
warp and weft
creating intricate wall hangings:
red threads for pain
blue for all the sadness
orange for the inner flame of determination
oh thank God that flame was never fully extinguished
(though I attempted to snuff it out on my own
it’s the one that I am glad I failed at)
green thread for hope –
verdant curling forms holding the mystery
of all like
black for total despair and moments
of nothingness
white threads for tears
and turquoise for all the ancestors
and their

protection

maybe the ugliness isn’t so ugly,
when we look at
the whole creation

A Series of Not So Gentle Reminders

after Rudy Francisco

by Kelly Kelsey

Don’t forget to breathe
not just those rapid, shallow breaths
like a rabbit when its frightened
but slow, deep, full breaths like
a Buddhist monk on top of her cushion

Remember to never give
away your power
especially to those who desire to rule
over you,
demand allegiance, and offer none in
return

Don’t give your soul so quickly
for the price of an “I love you”
or the promise, often empty,
to never leave

It’s okay to say, “No”
if you are uncomfortable
you do not need to offer an explanation
Just say, “No” – guilt free

Celebrate the little wins
sometimes they mean more
than you know
and not just to you

Everyday is a gift
Receive it well

A Series of Gentle Reminders

after Rudy Francisco

by Susan Kersavage

Be Kind to yourself,
No really…
BE KIND TO YOURSELF!
You are deserving
of the compassion that you extend to others
You are trying
I see you
trying
Allow yourself to rest
and never feel guilty about resting
Listen to your body
Listen lovingly
and with compassion
Be gentle with yourself
Fill the cup of your
soul with joy,
allowing yourself to
find joy where you are
and to seek it out
Do not be stingy with joy
cultivate it
and share it
You deserve happiness