SILVER BOOMER BOOKS ON SALE

Last year two of my poems were published in an anthology, On Our Own, Widowhood for Smarties published by Silver Boomer Books.

A few years ago, another of my poems was published in a Silver Boomer anthology, Freckles to Wrinkles. 

Silver Boomer books is having a special sale on these anthologies which have stories, memoir, and poetry by many good writers. I am particularly proud to be included in On Our Own, Widowhood for Smarties. This book makes an excellent gift for someone who has lost a spouse. 

See more about the sale below.

In anticipation of reorganizing our Abilene office space this fall, we are offering a great sale on our entire catalog of titles published through 2012. We need to reduce local inventory before moving. This is a very limited offer, good through July 31.

Not only are we offering great prices, all shipping is free within the U.S. Click on the sale link at silverboomerbooks.com to see the entire sale list.

This is a great opportunity to stock up your gift closet...have something on hand for every reader for every occasion. 

On Our Own, Widowhood for Smarties, anthology by writers and poets who have lost someone

One day this week I stopped by Curiosity Books in Murphy, NC. I noticed an anthology, On Our Own, Widowhood for Smarties, was in the window. That book was published by Silver Boomer Books last year. Two of my poems, Sleeping Alone and Solitude, were selected for inclusion. I am proud of this book and wish we had more books of this type. A number of excellent writers, widows or people who wrote about widowhood sent in stories, essays and poems. The book has a nice cover and I’m sure has sold well. Linda Ray, owner of the bookstore asked if I get any kind of royalty when a book is sold. I do not, but I sold first rights to my poems so I was paid at that time.

I took the book over for Linda to read and she said she would let a grief support group see the book.  She evidently had good feedback and now carries the book in the store. While she and I were discussing it, a woman came in and asked for it. Linda told her we had just been talking about it, and I had the opportunity to tell the customer more about the authors.

She glanced through it and said she wanted to purchase a copy. Linda said, “Glenda can autograph it for you, if you want.” 

The woman smiled and said she would like that. As I wrote my name on the pages with my poems, I asked her, “Is this for a friend or have you lost someone?”

She couldn’t speak as tears filled her eyes. I had my answer. I put my arms around her and my heart ached so badly for her pain. I told her I knew her journey. She just took the book and left. 

I hope On Our Own, Widowhood for Smarties brings her some kind of peace as she reads the stories, some funny and some sad, some inspiring and some uplifting. If anyone wants to order the book, go to Amazon.com 

I have a few copies I can autograph and sell at a little discount. Contact me at nightwriter0302@yahoo.com or you can buy it through PayPal. See the side bar. Below see one of the poems in the book.

Solitude

I’ve always needed time alone.
To gather meandering thoughts,
musings on life, mine and yours.
I snatched my moments
where I found them.
But now the stillness whispers to me.
Careful what you ask for.

Waking in our quiet house,
no one greets me with, “Hey, Hon,
Get me a cup of coffee, will ya?”
No one sits in your chair,
No one speaks but the dog.

Hours pass while I make
eggs and toast – no coffee-
not for one. Feed the dog
and cat, answer e-mail, fewer
now it seems.

Slowly I learn to use the quiet,
to ponder my future, to cry
when I am stabbed with memories
so precious I can’t bear the pain,
to face the hard reality that you
will not return.
I am alone inside the
silence that I craved.
           by Glenda C. Beall,
                       first published by Wild Goose Poetry Review

On Our Own - Widowhood for Smarties

Silver Boomer Books has published an anthology, On Our Own - Widowhood for Smarties, and I am proud to have two of my poems, Sleeping Alone and Solitude, published in it.

These editors have put together a book for everyone who is part of a couple. If you have a husband or a wife, a life-long partner, or if you have lost your love, read this book of essays, fiction and poems. . 

I have to be honest. I have been published in anthologies that I never read all the way through. But I love the work in On our Own, Widowhood for Smarties. 

From Silver Boomer website: "The writers of this collection express the range of emotions at the loss of a spouse but the overwhelming message is affirmation of the strength they find to create new lives after deep loss. Widows and widowers will read these stories and poems with knowing nods, sighs and smiles. Other readers will find insight into a common human condition and perhaps courage to face their own unsought new beginnings."

If you have lost your mate or know someone who has made this journey through grief, give them this book. They will know as they read the touching and heart warming writing of these men and women, they are not alone and the crazy things they feel are not crazy at all.


Solitude

I’ve always needed time alone
to gather meandering thoughts,
musings on life, mine and yours.
I snatched my moments
where I found them.
But now the stillness whispers to me.
Careful what you ask for.

Waking in our quiet house,
no one greets me with, “Hey, Hon,
Get me a cup of coffee, will ya?”
No one sits in your chair,
No one speaks but the dog.

Hours pass while I make
eggs and toast – no coffee-
not for one. Feed the dog
and cat, answer e-mail, fewer
now it seems.

Slowly I learn to use the quiet,
to ponder my future, to cry
when I am stabbed with memories
so precious I can’t bear the pain,
to face the hard reality that you
will not return.
I am alone inside the
silence that I craved.
               --- Glenda C. Beall

Order a signed copy  of On My Own, Widowhood for Smarties from me for $15.95.

 Email me for ordering information. nightwriter0302@yahoo.com 

A Poem from Now Might as Well be Then

Ballet in the Piney Woods

Little girl sunsuits littered the wiregrass.
Summer warmed small bronze bodies
that danced on the stage of a fallen oak,
to songbirds’ music from the mayhaw.

They felt, at five, the kiss of butterflies
upon their eyes, breathed honeysuckle air.
Like sylphs set free they twirled, arms open,
gathering the breeze against their bareness.

Chastised for their boldness by older girls
who barged into their glade,
the innocents saw themselves
and were ashamed.

By Glenda C. Beall

Published first by Silver Boomer Books in the anthology "Freckles to Wrinkles."