I read the news while I should be writing. As in social media and NYT’s and texts from friends. It’s how I find out a poet who I don’t know, that’s how I find out Anya Silver died. As I find out she died, I read a poem of hers. And I love it. And […]
Author: Nancy Schatz Alton
Learning to Be Quiet
Learning to Be Quiet by Nancy Schatz Alton Silence is not my first language. I fill all the spaces up with words. Especially when I’m nervous. Talk is not my daughter’s first language. She speaks with her eyes, her face, her singing voice, her silence. A teacher tells me she is the quietest student he […]
Dirt
Grace Grace Grace Grace Grace The word sits in front of my work desk, pushing me to offer myself the grace that I extend others. Already the day heats up. News from Liz’s choir director, sad my gifted singer is opting for swimming instead of the stress of a large group choir. Minutes later the […]
This Heart
My heart wants what it wants. On summer mornings, it purrs in the light from the living room window. Can’t these long days go on forever? The ones where we walk home as the light wanes and the flower color begins to pop thanks to the dark slowing spreading into the sky. Still, my heart […]
Passing Praise
Passing Praise by Nancy Schatz Alton Right now the quiet is beloved, the coffee warm. The mess is all still life: shoes, Sawzall, empty bags and a hairbrush. There’s nothing to make sense of, my world is well enough: the last few years of hardship have leveled off & turned into good news that’s not […]
My Tears Are OK With Me
At my yearly medical exam yesterday, my doctor asked me how I am. Well, it’s been a difficult few years, I started. Then I got to the part where I mentioned that my kids were growing up and needing me so much less. And that when the older one needed me, she really needed me. […]
The Miracle
This not knowing is as uncomfortable as the vinyl seats in my car on a 90-degree day. I’ve just spent a few hours with my mother-in-law. I’m driving home, back to my holy house, and only my dog is home. My husband is hunting gooey ducks, my eldest is camping with friends, my youngest is […]
Our Song
Our Song by Nancy Schatz Alton Your blossom into speech is slow. Your smile covers every inch of my skin. You reach for my hand as we walk. How long it took to meet someone who I felt no need to give words to. You’ve taught me silence, how it’s enough to hold our wishes […]
Holy Fire/Dirty Bathroom Mirror
Today’s the first day since June 7th that I’ve been home without kids for more than a few hours. Ah, I thought, I’ll have hours to work. Ah, my focus is not focused today. Even writing this feels not easy. We’re half in summer and half out. I’m right in the week between our family’s […]
Lucky
Do you know how lucky I feel? On a day like today when we’re celebrating endings and the sun shines, I know I have it all. Because who else gets to watch you sporting striped pants with confidence? So often, I write to get out of a downward spiral. I forget to note the goodness. […]