Rosemary Jo Rhodes

  General Notes:

Rosemary is going to be published. A first. We are sharing our joy with you.--- On Wed 09/08, R Royston < rainbow_28rr@yahoo.com > wrote:From: R Royston [mailto: rainbow_28rr@yahoo.com]To: hrhodes@hotmail.comCc: eldusty@myway.comDate: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 07:44:22 -0700 (PDT)Subject: to be published!

Dear Mom & Dad,
I'm going to be published in Shemom. This is a small publication for poetry about children, out of California. I found it in the Poet's Market book and submitted. It's a start! You've seen the daughter poem, but I don't know if you've read the one about Luke.
Love,
Rosemary
P.S. The use of the word "yen" in the poem about Luke definitely reverts back to childhood, as Mom always used the word in Scrabble! ;.)

Dear Rosemary
I plan to use both of your poems in the December issue of Shemom. Thank you for sending them my way. I will forward you a copy when it is complete.
Thank you for your interest in Shemom.
Sincerely,
Peggy French

confessions

I have a secret to share.
I'm in love with two men -
one the matrimonial
the other much younger.
The youthful one sneaks into my room at night
armed with apple juice and a yen
for mommy. He carefully places
his cup on the end table and
heaves himself up. He is only two
and often comes in costume
(last night Batman flew into my room).
I scoot over, wedged between two
in a double bed. Sometimes I awake
to a tumble, loud cry - super powers
having failed, gravity taking over
my little man. I reach down
and help him up, kissing away
little bumps. I wonder how long
my own powers will last -
how much longer will I be able
to pull him to safety,
how much longer will he remain
within my grasp.
-Rosemary Royston2004

daughters

he is so beautiful with her flat

chest and blossoming butt
she already has a strut

as she ponders which pumps to wear
how to style her
crimped hairwhich lipstick to pair

with chipped polish.
she is only six

but has a stunning grin
highlighted with random lipstick on the chin

i resist the urge to alter her appearance
and instead watch her prance, dance

around the room, hair still tangled
my sweet, sassy, pink-smeared angel.

-Rosemary Royston2004

Rosemary married Russell Allen Royston on 20 Jul 1991. (Russell Allen Royston was born on 15 Oct 1964.)