Sylvia Kleinman 

Long Beach, NY, USA 

At the conclusion of an extensive career in the business world, followed by the role of caregiver to an aging parent in her life's final stage, I sought another niche to fill, a participant in Long Beach Y's Creative Writers' Workshop. Entering as a writer of prose, I listened to and learned from my peers' output. Encouraged by one such person to transform a piece of my prose into poetic form, I did. Hence, anthologies and audio tapes of The National Library of Poetry include some of my poetry. My current manuscript, "Captured Moments, Musings, Et Al," encompasses matters both realistic and abstract. Truly rewarding.

An Eighth Wonder

Man's ten fingers on my keyboard placed 
approach softly, often ascending 
to a feverish pace, emitting a tremble, perhaps. 

Privacy invaded by dancing digits 
playing around with my treasured bastion of  
warmth; hammers of felt, wrapped. 

Again and again ten little piggies 
strike at my very core, 
Icy strings of steel, melt magically by tools, pounding. 
'Neath me, poised, peds await the command 
to join the goings-on at hand. 

No mortal am I yet yearn to sing! 
Alas! Dependence on humankind is much 
Alone stand I, impotent. 

L'chaim--to life.

Check Point

Nor'eastern Summer 1997