LOIS GREENE STONE - POEMS

​​Lois Greene Stone, writer and poet, has been syndicated worldwide. Poetry and personal essays have been included in hard & softcover book anthologies.  Collections of her personal items/ photos/ memorabilia are in major museums including twelve different divisions of The Smithsonian.  The Smithsonian selected her photo to represent all teens from a specific decade.​​

Vacant
​

Two who had grown up
in tenements, minus
privacy, owned a house
eleven years after wedding.
Offspring knew each
could close out siblings 
so daydreams 
and diaries might be done.
Piano playing, dancing, 
were nightly activities
prior to television.
Constant company
and activity. Life
left my father at
age forty-five; 
rooms were ‘rooms’
minus ....
Memories moved
through my mother’s
head as, alone, she
whispered goodbye
to the tangible.
For Sale sign
symbolized her
agony and her
strength. 

​

Aloud, Alone   
​

At times when all alone am I 
Pretending play or dreaming dreams, 
I feel so calm yet joyous too, 
So glad to be alive, it seems. 
 
Before a mirror I will stare 
And make a smile that pleases me, 
I practice with this face of mine 
'Till I find one for friends to see. 
 
Aloud I speak for walls to hear 
The secret thoughts my mind knows well 
Yet cannot share with anyone 
For fear of laughter if I tell. 
 
It's good to have a private place 
That's yours for keeps or just for loan 
Where play is real and dreams seem true, 
A spot to talk aloud, alone. 
 
©1976 Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. 



​

Alone, Aloud   
​

At times when all alone am I, 
Remembering youth and unfilled dreams, 
I feel so sad, yet peaceful too, 
Still glad to be alive, it seems. 
 
Before a mirror I might stare 
Or touch my face, though wrinkled be, 
And wonder how my outside aged 
When old I don't feel inwardly. 
 
Aloud I speak for walls to hear 
The inner thoughts, my mind knows well, 
I've still not shared with anyone 
For fear of laughter if I'd tell. 
 
It's good to have a private place 
That's yours for childhood and when grown, 
Where pretense plays a role quite real- 
A spot to talk aloud alone. 


©1973 Grit Publishing