Karen Egleston

Duluth, GA, USA

I started writing poetry after volunteering as a Children's Editor in Ohio. My first poem was sent to The White House in 1993 in honor of my grandmother and in return she received an autographed birthday card. She is now 98 years old. Poetry is a means of expressing my personal viewpoint. My poem, Doorway To Heaven, is written in honor of The Conyers Farm, Georgia and it expresses my interest in health care reform as a nutritionist as well as my affiliation with Marian High in Michigan where my teachers inspired me to pursue my life goals. You may E-mail me at KEgleston@aol.com

Doorway To Heaven
(The Farm, Conyers, Georgia)

Want to tell you that in Georgia, it's nice and warm,
but I'm still interest in Health Care Reform,
Faith and Nutrition may keep us healthy,
But too many Americans just like to be wealthy.
Read'in and writ'in just ain't in their bones,
as long as they keep listening away on their
digital phones.
Wish I could make money like that just lying away
But I like more just to have a nice day,
That's why I decided to send you this map of the sky,
Why it's coming from me I don't know why.
It's something you can use to make you feel good,
Because I think the work you're doing would
Warrant it's power.
Of course it will seem difficult to grasp,
But the Doorway to Heaven is something that lasts.

Why Birds Don't Smoke

Flying through the air with the greatest of care,
Birds can go just about anywhere.
It's amazing to me just to see,
How much lung power can fling you over trees.
The world must appear exhilarating for free,
As any other way would cost you a month's pay.

Imagine if birds would be able to smoke,
Not only could they not fly, they would choke.
The air would be polluted amongst the flock,
They wouldn't be known as America's alarm clock.

Imagine a world without nature's awakening,
The beauty of nature would be earthshaken.
But now teenagers send smoke up to the sky,
Why they don't stop nobody knows why,
The poor birds can hardly breathe.
If birds had a choice, they would sound their voice.
By putting a NO SMOKING sign in the trees.

The Magnolia Tree

It stands tall in splendor with its glossy green leaves
reaching out to the sun.
Just its mere presence makes you feel so small.
Magnificent in stature long after its birth,
It's trunk remains rooted well to the earth.
Strictly a Southern treasure which is well-recognized,
A heritage shows with every sunrise.
Many frontier tales can sound its power,
while ancestors can remember waiting
for its abundant bloom.
White blossomed flowers delicate for a bride,
yet large enough for plentiful bouquets of
resplendent wealth to the eyes of the beholder.
Yes, for all to see is the beauty of a tree.
Much to my amazement is gazing upon this gift of nature,
One sees the deep lines of life weaving its story.
The Magnolia Tree is one of glory.