Beyond Preservation
Three poems from writer, culinary instructor, and herb gardener Anna Gall.
On third Wednesdays we publish Community Voices: Heartfelt essays, articles, micro-flash, poetry, songs, monologues, plays and more from TLArtists drawn from community submissions. Maybe next time it will be yours? We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Send us your words!
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Room To Write
A keeping room is what I have now, and boy does it keep.
This cozy room houses two loveseats and a rocker,
an adjustable wooden table, two chairs, and bench,
a 1930’s desk with small pocket drawers, China cabinet,
a skinny buffet, my cedar hope chest, an antique radio, three lamps.
A plentiful home for this writer and her lover, a researcher,
the warmth of wood welcomes every guest who enters.
The cottage kitchen is three steps from the keeping room
to the provisions of hot tea, coffee, and baked goodies.
But all I really need is room to write.
A space set aside for me, paper, pen, my laptop, too.
A lamp on a wee little wooden desk just my size
Alongside a comfy chair or settee to stretch my legs
and rest my weary mind and eyes for a bit.
Sporadic Are My Words
Sporadic are my spoken words,
wasted not on petty two-faced nonsense.
I have more purpose than this stupidity,
my words saved for sweeter occasions.
Shy or full of self some may accuse,
I live guided by a gentler nature.
Guilt or shame will send most away,
The gift of grace will change the heart.
A gracious tongue, kindness in action,
simply put perpetuates plentiful sweetness.
The White Butterfly
The white butterfly weaves in and out
of rows of lavender swaying in the breeze
with fluffy clouds in the bright blue sky.
She stops to nourish herself on a small flower,
then flutters to the tallest bright gladiola bloom
beyond the passionate purple field.
What was meant to be a boundary
the rows of purple could not confine her
as the white butterfly reaches new heights.
Writer, culinary instructor, and herb gardener Anna Gall provides fun, interactive workshops. Anna's poetry and short stories are published in eMerge, Persimmon Tree, and Flapper Press. Her poem “Seashells” is included in the anthology Dairy Hollow Echo. Her first full-length book is a memoir filled with original recipes, photos, poems, and short stories. Strewn Words in the Stew Volume 1 & 2 is available on Amazon. Currently, Anna's culinary skills are being used at her community's senior center and meals-on-wheels program in St. Charles, Missouri.
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Check out our upcoming classes. We welcome applications for Scholarships for classes.
March classes and workshops:
Writing Hope: Turning to the Page in Difficult Times // with Angie Ebba
04 March 2026 • Online • Craft & Personal Growth
Foundations of Facilitation // with Amanda Faye Lacson & Tracie Nichols
04 March 2026 • online • Professional Development & Personal Growth
Stories from the Body // with Lewis Mehl-Madrona & Barbara Mainguy
04 March 2026 • Online • Craft, Professional Development & Personal Growth
Haiku for the Soul // with Nicole Livengood
08 March 2026 4:00 PM • Online • Craft, Personal Growth
Writing the Here and Now: Mindful Writing // with Marianela Medrano
29 March 2026 1:00 PM • Online • Personal Growth