Ed note:  Every Tuesday Amanda Solch, a Bates student who volunteers at the center, brings a poem for lunch. This week we read and discussed "I'm Alive, I Believe in Everything" by Lesley Choyce.  We then wrote a group poem in the same style. I'm alive!  I believe...

Women’s faces, Seeking….. Peace Acceptance Embraces? Women’s eyes Searching….. Fearful, Courageous, Wise. A step through the door Means a step to new life; Breathing freely Finding others Learning new ways Beginning new days Seeing oneself in a different light. Who...

For women abused, and women used, For women in tears and women with fears, For women neglected and women not respected, For women despised and women patronized, For women here and women everywhere, May they know Your loving presence among them, through us.    Amen....

Ed Note:  Today the group read the children's book Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth.  They then wrote a story about something beautiful. The most beautiful thing I can think of is hope.  Hope that spring will soon come, even though the wind is blowing, a...

We are a day drop-in center where women can go to break their isolation and build community toward the bettering and enriching of their lives. All women are welcome. All programs are free of charge. Come and see what we are all about! Our logo is the sunflower: Like...

Not Your Puppet on a String... - Judy Smith I am me... That is all I can be... All that you see... Is all I can be... So you tool... I am not your fool... I have no strings for you to pull... No strings to make me sing and dance... I am not here for you to poke or...

What a difference a day makes, and a haircut. As new year activity, we arranged for 12 free haircuts or manicures at the local beauty school. Six women could go one afternoon, six more a week later. Amber has straight dyed blond hair, which with time shows dark roots....

Sisters - by Bonnie My sister Sue - she died of cancer. My sister Darlene - she's loving life. My sister Joyce - she makes me laugh. My sister Kathy - is my friend. My sister Keri - is my friend too. My sister Sue - I've known four years. My sister Lore - she teaches...

A Memorable Trip  - by Laura In the spring of 1972 my sister, brother-in-law, 2 year old nephew, mother and I took a trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.  We were all feeling excited when we packed our cooler and picnic basket into the van and took our...

The Greatest Gift I Know - by Laura The greatest gift I know of is the gift of language, both written and spoken.  My own language, English, is, or at least can be, absolutely beautiful when used correctly. It has so many nuances and shades and possibilities that one...

If I Could Write a Book or Play   - by Laura If I wrote a play it would be about a woman struggling with mental illness.  I would show her as a person first, not as a case number in a computer.  There are many misconceptions about mental illness and people who have...

My Imaginary Garden  -by Laura "Mary, Mary quite contrary" is the beginning of a children's poem about a magical garden, but my garden would not have "cockle shells and silver bells and pretty maids all in a row."  Instead it would be more like a miniature forest with...