I used to love writing poetry and short stories back in high school- St. Teresas Academy, East St. Louis, IL. Class of 73! And I hadnt written anything since! I got married right after graduating, started a family, and went to work. And then there were some major changes in my life. After thirty five years of marriage, my wonderful husband Jack was taken from me. He did not survive cancer. I fell in love again, suffered a broken heart (at my agecan you believe it!) lost my niece and friend Patti to cancer, lost my dear friend Laura to a car accident, met a new fella, and then lost my dear son Terry, who died suddenly in a motorcycle accident! Through it all, Ive found that writing it down has saved my sanity; and sometimes documented my insanity, as you will no doubt observe! Included here are a few poems from my high school days, most much more recent, as well as a few submissions from my son Shaun, my sister Melissa, and my good friend Jim. Hope you feel it, and enjoy!