By. Bett Willett
“Promise me that or nothing at all”
Maya Angelou said to me
this night when I am reading poems
instead of writing them.
I don’t want her paradise,
but I do like that phrase.
What it means to me
is on the tip of my tongue.
I know it’s tremendously significant,
but I can’t think why.
Outside my window the lime tree
is putting out tiny new green leaves
and flowers as sweet as the joy
of winter’s end.
Every year the old tree
does its job, it survives
summer storms and heat
and sap slowing cold.
It bends and sometimes breaks,
but there they are again
,tiny new green leaves
and sweet white flowers.
"Promise me that, or nothing".
As a teacher/administrator Bett worked with students from grade two through graduate school at one time or another. She has a BA and two MAs. She has two grown children and lives with three cats, one of whom thinks she is a dog, and as Bett is never quite sure who she is either, they get along great. She has written blogs and newsletters. Bett received first place and honorable mention for poetry submissions and is published in The Poeming Pigeon, Mothers Always Writing and the Naugatuck River Review. Education: Kean University, BA Elementary Ed; Seton Hall University, MA Counseling and Special Services; Kean University, MA Public School Administration