Exploring the themes of coming of age amid decay, the poems reflect on life in Ohio's rust-belt during a time of political and physical decline. They delve into the shifting foundations of personal and communal life, capturing the unpredictability of events such as the Kent State shootings. The work resonates with contemporary chaotic political and social circumstances, offering a poignant commentary on the impact of history on individual lives and broader societal structures.
My Sister's Diary is a hearttouching story of a very strong, passionate woman who endured the hardships of cerebral palsy for seventy-nine years. After Carolyn's death, Carolyn's sister, Nancy, read and gleaned amazing facts and feelings from Carolyn's diaries of sixty-five years. Life started with a premature birth. School days were difficult, but Carolyn persisted in a school for the handicapped. After graduation from high school, Carolyn worked at the Sheltered Workshop in Binghamton. A later decline in her condition triggered her family to pursue a patterning program through the Institute for Human Potential. Carolyn's improvement was remarkable. After her father's death, Carolyn and her mother moved to Arizona to be close to family. Life was good for them until declining health took the life of her mother. After this, life for Carolyn was most difficult in Medicaid-assisted living facilities. She endured care that bordered on verbal and physical abuse. Three male aids cared deeply for Carolyn and gave her a reason to live. Carolyn felt like many abuse victims do-that she was guilty of causing the poor care. A move resulted in somewhat better care until her death in 2008.
Eleven-year-old Anakin starts his training at his uncle Luke's Jedi academy, where he befriends Tahiri. Both are haunted by mysterious dreams that lure them towards the dark side of the Force.
Anakin and Tahiri, while assisting their friend Lyric with a ritual for her initiation into the circle of elders, uncover mysterious cave carvings that reveal how to lift an ancient curse.
"Nancy Richardson's poems concern coming of age in the rust-belt of Ohio during a period of decay of the physical and political structures that made the region once solid and predictable. Her poems chart the shifting of the foundations upon which a life is built and the unpredictability of events that have profound personal and political consequences, including the shootings at Kent State University"--About the Author page
Exploring the impact of de-industrialization in Ohio, this chapbook weaves together poems reflecting on economic struggles, social upheaval, and activism. It opens with a poignant piece about the tragic shooting of student Sandra Scheuer, setting a tone of remembrance and reflection. The collection also captures the spirit of grassroots campaigning for democratic values in 2004, resonating with contemporary issues. Through elegiac verses and philosophical musings, the author avoids harsh political rhetoric, instead emphasizing loss and the pursuit of a life guided by conscience.
