Bridges
Invisible are the bonds that
Bind our hearts they require
No voice nor signed document
To prove it
It’s been there always from
The beginning no interpretation
Required it’s all the security
We need to cross every bridge
Together holding hands
Our love was there from the
Beginning no interpretation
Required we have all the security
We need to cross each bridge
Together, embracing time
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash @pattybphoto
Designs
Mosaic patterns by leaves that fall
Brighten the parched earth from summer’s heat
A silent signal noticed by all
Crisp autumn air and apples picked sweet
Beneath moonlight the owls do call
As lovers engage their own beat
Piles of leaves and giggles can be heard
Above the mating songs of birds
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash @anthonyrossbach
Island
Island
once overgrown
now free of twisted vines
beckons me to its oasis
peaceful
By Lorraine Star
Image via Unsplash @litchland_photography
Roadblock
Four lanes of traffic
Came to a sudden stop
Cars in the back blasting
Their horns they couldn’t see
The smiles upon the faces of
The drivers up front for a
Duck and her ducklings had to
Reach a certain piece of grass
Which happened to be on the
Other side of the road and the
Cars presented no obstacle for
This was the path she chose and
She wouldn’t consider another
As she proceeded she spoke
To her children they listened to
Each quack and single file they
Made it safely across as strangers
Cheered and clapped then got back into
Their cars each continuing to a
Different destination still thinking
About those few minutes before when the
World was a friendlier place thanks to the
Ducks and their mission as a feather floated
In the air an ordinary day was left a
Souvenir
By Lorraine Star
Image via Unsplash @tchompalov
High Notes
Upon
wires magpies
stand ready looking just
like musical notes on a score
balanced
balanced
these musicians
dressed in black attire
begin in unison their song
cawing
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash @jdsmacinnes
Harvest
Harvest
moon in autumn
sheds light upon the leaves
slumbering till morning breezes
stir them
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash @kaip
Cracker Jacks
I had a craving for a snack
Finally I selected Jack
Twas such a sweet and good flashback
Three in a stack, sold in a pack
Inside they still offer a prize
To my delight, to my surprise
Holly Mackerel—the same size
Better than fries, better than fries
Same sailor in his outfit blue
Old friend sealed with familiar glue
I’m happy that I ate it too
“What did I do?” “There’s none for you.”
by Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash
Cascades
Sunlight’s
rays silently
warm dried red clay river
beds, as if all the water was
flowing
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @daniel_sturgess
Look Up
Look up
said the angels
Their soft voices echoed
over the sound of bells ringing
I saw their reflections in a puddle
so beautiful and breathtaking
I knelt down before it
when one whispered
Look up
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @831gaberodriguez
Blue in Bloom
Small petals
form clusters
pompous against
green leaves
not too big
mind you not
too small just
enough to make
you notice and
sigh in awe
from puffy
masterpieces
against a brick
garden wall
blue in bloom
hydrangeas
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @shimikumi32
“Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity (GMHFH) is excited to announce, that after a three-year pause, they will be accepting applications to purchase a home through their New Homeownership Program July 7th, 8th, and 9th.”
Image via Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity
Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity (GMHFH) is excited to announce, that after a three-year pause, they will be accepting applications to purchase a home through their New Homeownership Program July 7th, 8th, and 9th. Applications can be completed online or a paper copy can be picked up from their office at 2447 East John St. during the application period. There will be a non-refundable $25 application fee.
“In a time where the housing market is booming for many, we know the dream of homeownership is simply out of reach for the majority of Americans. Habitat for Humanity plays a crucial role in ensuring hardworking families have access to homeownership opportunities.”
If accepted into the program, the partner family will be purchasing a GMHFH home for the appraised value with an interest-free mortgage through GMHFH. In lieu of a down payment, partner families complete 250 “sweat-equity” hours volunteering on the construction of their home and in the Greater Matthews Habitat ReStore. To cover the financial costs of the home’s construction, GMHFH is looking to partner with local corporate, faith, and civic groups to serve as sponsors on this home.
“In a time where the housing market is booming for many, we know the dream of homeownership is simply out of reach for the majority of Americans. Habitat for Humanity plays a crucial role in ensuring hardworking families have access to homeownership opportunities,” says GMHFH President & CEO, Natisha Rivera-Patrick. “The effects of COVID have impacted every aspect of the market, driving construction costs to an all-time high. Now, more than ever, we need support from our community. We are actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to support our build efforts.”
To qualify for the program, applicants must be a resident of Matthews, Mint Hill, or Stallings for the past 12 months, have a need for a decent, affordable home (current housing situation is substandard, overcrowded, costs more than 30% of gross income, etc.), meets the HUD Median Income Requirements, and must be able to pay back an affordable mortgage.
The full list of qualifications and the list of necessary documentation to complete the application can now be found on the GMHFH website at gmhfh.org/apply. Greater Matthews Habitat is an Equal Housing Lender. The construction of the home is expected to begin this fall. Community members can support the GMHFH program and the construction of this home by donating at gmhfh.org/give. For information about home sponsorship, please email sarah@habitatmatthews.org.
No Requests
Sunsets
Require no
Requests
They silently
Come and go
Like dreams
And return
Just as faithfully
Like an
Old friend
by Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @joeting
Lilacs
Lilacs
Lavender blue
Embracing my senses
With your exotic scent
Drifting with each breeze
Late in the afternoon
You sneak right up and deliver
This essence that surely
Must come straight from
Heaven
by Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @kellysikkema
Balloon Haiku
Red, yellow, purple
String attached hold on tightly
As you would your dreams
by Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash
Dandelion
Dandelions, ever wonder
Why they are so strong
As they take control
Make pretty bouquets
They scatter themselves
Across front lawns
A simple reason justifies
Their playful ways
After all they are part lion
Kings choose where they
Want to stay
by Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash photographer @chaurasia