Janice N. Chapman

Columbus, GA, USA

b. 25 Dec 1941. Woodward, Oklahoma, USA. m.(1) Donald Plain, div 1968. 1 son, 2 daughters. (2) Donald Cleve Johns. Nov. 1968. div. 2 son, 1 Dec.1 daughter. (3) Leon Sylvan Chapman Jr. 4 Dec. 1985 3 stepsons. 3 stepdaughters Appointments: Switchboard Operator, Columbus Medical Center Hospital: Taxi Driver, Cashier, WalMart 1311 Store. Columbus, Georgia. Contributions to: Vanous anthologies and other publications including National Poetry Anthology, vol. 1 1985 Odessa Poetry Review Voices in Poetry, 1985. Vol 2 1986: Lines n' Rhymes The Space Between 1994: ;Joys of the journey, 1995: Impressions. 1995 Echos from the Silence. 1995: Inspirations. 1995: Best New Poems. 1995; Endless Harmony, 1996. Best Poems of 1996. The Poet's Corner. 1996. Watch for the ice on the Bridge. 1996. Sound of Poetry. 1995. Nominee Poet of the Year. International Society of Poets. 1995; Accomplishments of Merit Award. Creative Arts and Sciences. 1995; Nominee. One of Poets of the Year National Library of Poetry. 1996. Memberships. Distinguished Member International Society of Poets. Columbus, GA.

The EL Nino Children

I can't remember a year quite like this
Where opposite shores suffer EL Nino's kiss.
Florida suffers while El Nino East cuts her path,
While California catches El Nino West's furious wrath.

She takes a bite of lovely shore,
And crunches pavement where roads once were.
Homes that beautifully were kept,
Went down in gloom when El Nino swept.

Even the swamps and everglades caught her wrath
When El Nino East set out to cut her path.
While out west the coasts are snatched away,
And pavements are ripped from their highways.

The waves that these two send to shore
Have caused destruction and much, much more.
Neither in the East nor West is it safe to stay
While the El Nino children are out to play.

Weather born and nature spawned,
Raised by violence, tribulation and brawn,
They complete along our shore lines and boast
That with destruction each has done the most.

They rage and slam and bury and claw,
Their anger on our shores unbridled and raw.
To us they give undying memories of fate,
These El Nino children of nineteen ninety eight.

What If?

What if there was no horse to ride?
No pastures to ride upon?
No bubbling springs from which to drink?
No friends you could count on?

What if there were no cattle there
That we could sort and brand?
What if there was no place to find
A good and decent man?

What if there were no trees for shade,
No grass to grow sweet and green?
No golden waves of summer gain
For us to cut and glean?

What if there were no skies of blue,
No clouds to tarry there?
No stars and moon in the heavens above
For us to nightly share?

What if there was no God
To guide us on our way?
What good would it do then
For us to kneel and pray?

There are so many things
That we should be thankful for.
And it makes a body wonder,
What if they were no more?