We often say we’re speechless. I probably have said that before. But the first time I truly felt that way was when I saw this montage created by @readwithmalcom. I was immensely and deeply grateful when THE BRIDGE HOME was selected to be featured by Malcom Mitchell’s Share The Magic Foundation because I respect his achievements and very much admire his dedication to promoting books and reading. But to see my image on this composite along with photographs of Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, Virginia Woolf and Jane Austen?
!!!!!
Honored beyond words.
!!!!!
Every day of this month, I’ve woken up blinking and thinking, surely this can’t be. Admittedly, I only recognized Maya Angelou…whose beautiful face I first saw during the Clinton inauguration when she read aloud…
Today, I printed out this image to keep, so I can hold it in my hands, not just my heart. I’ve felt so discouraged so often these past years. But this is an undreamed of honor that will keep me going. It feels like a blessing from above.
To keep going means to keep doing. So to end on a practical note, a quick heads-up that Diverse Verse will be hosting POEMS OF HOPE, a poetry competition for young poets in grades 3 – 12. For more on that, please visit the Diverse Verse website during poetry month (April 2024). Thank you, and Happy Women’s History Month to all who read this.
And btw, does anyone know who the 3 authors are in the image above whom I can’t identify?
Since the time I asked this question (when this post was published) my friend and famous poet and author Nikki Grimes identified Alice Walker (which an image search had misidentified), award-winning author Lisa Rogers identified Rupi Kaur (top left), superstar educators Robin Martin and Jean Holmblad identified several faces, including Kristi Yamaguchi, and my professor friend Kalpana Vijayavarathan identified Virginia Woolf. I know all of these people’s wonderful work, so I knew what they sounded like, but admittedly didn’t know what they looked like!
Right now, there is just one remaining author whom no one has identified (in the square above mine). Anyone know who that is?