Today's Little Ditty

#haikuforhealing 11.26.16 refuge & solace: today I don't turn on the news #haikuforhealing 11.27.16 not by hiding from the worl...

WINTER WONDER Swirling, falling bits of heaven Floating down—whirling round Gently land on snowy ground Lying there I feel I'm f...

AFTER SCHOOL I perch in the front-yard maple, back wedged against solid trunk, legs dangle. A curtain of green colors my view. Sure-...

"Into the Light" by Tim Haynes Each positive thought is your refuge and your sanctuary, where in that thoughtful moment, yo...

AT MAYBURY We walk, we four, on earthen paths made silent with damp leaves that blanket all the space below and glow above—our lamp....

MONTAUK (a pastiche of Yeat’s “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”) I will arise and go now and drive down to Montauk, and spread a favorite ...

UMBRELLA Rain comes. (It always does.) You worry your plans are ruined like a soggy piece of paper. Raise me over your head. I will ...

DEEP IN THE FOREST Deep in the forest,         Musty and dark, Gray and green lichen         Grow on the bark. Moss coats the tree t...

NIGHT I wear the sky like a silken gown flecked with silver stitches. Cool as a breeze and light on my feet, I drift through the str...

CHRYSALIS When I turned thirteen, I wrapped myself in the cocoon Of my room. Not even my scientist mother Could observe the ...

SHELTER L ike a house of worship I enter, breathing in calm. B ooks offer solace when R eal-life crowds too close. A seat at lu...

NOVEMBER When the world's closing in, way too loud way too cold I curl up in my chair, which is soft which is old pull my ...

ARTIST AT REST Finding my peace Through camera's lens Yellow leafy willow Wild purple flowers Hums of bumblebees Butterfly flutt...

UNDER THE TREE There is a place I like to go, Where not a soul is in the know, Under a pine tree ever so green, Is where you’re likel...

SWINGING FROM THE BLACK WALNUT TREE To and fro through the breath of summer Alone in my thoughts Wind kissing my hair Back and forth ...

THE SLEEP TIGHT ROCKING CHAIR The nightlight glows Sleepy eyes twinkle To a rhythmic soothing hum Steady motion Back and forth Little...

ANN RIDER Ann Rider is an executive editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Here is a small sampling of the incredible books that...