Articles written by Tara Allan Stewart

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Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Domestic violence: 5 of 110
RAINY AUTUMN MORNINGHer eyes are openon a rainy autumn morningas they have been all night.She barely breathes;she must listenfor signs of his awakening.Her hands are in fistsat her sides,long nails cut her own palmsafraid he may wakeand draw her near:control, not love.Courage courses throughsmall, aching body,smell of vomit d... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Dark Poems: 22 of 425
I come to you a strangerslipping under the sheet of gray flannel twilightasking, silently, for shelter in the night.As we dance,your arms wrap around my shouldersand for a moment I think,"Perhaps this time I am safe."Though your caress is warm and good,I say no.I mean no.But "no" is not a word you accept(or perhaps it is what... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Falling in love: 43 of 614
At 3 a.m.we ride the train eastto a place where we can see the sunrise over the ocean.Before dawn, we jump off at the crossingnear Wrightsville Beach,land in the cool, soft grass,laughing and free.We lie on our backs trying to findconstellations that are not there.The air is cool, the grass is sweet.Stars fall in our eyes.He ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Reflections on success, struggle, and happiness: 22 of 298
He Smiles for MeA year in Chinese prison is the costfor owning a photograph of His Holiness - 33 methods of torture.His Holiness meditates to separate body and soul to be ready when death comes.Beating, killing for serenity and a smile, for a land once sacred, now a land of memories, of unmerciful pain and death.Danger 16-yea... More..
Arts & Humanities > Literary Themes & Ideas Is the book one of our best friends?: 1 of 13
The question put before me is, "Is the book one of our best friends?" If "our" refers to the mainstream of people, even of writers, I would have to say probably not. Books have been replaced by cell phones, computer games, and movies. These things give an immediate sense of fulfillment, but I am not sure how good these friend... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Churches & Organizations Should Christian churches allow gays to be ordained as priests?: 6 of 67

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE; A TIME FOR CHANGEMy grandfather was a minister, as was his son, and I was ordained in 1990. Grandfather was interested in people, not color, gender, or sexual preference. The same open-minded and socially positive messages can be found in my uncle's sermons and the sermons my brother wrote as a lay-minis... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Death of a parent: 15 of 154
On a spring day.Mother suddenly appears as she truly is,pale, thin, and, yes, tired. I do understand.I see peace in her eyes.She asks to go to the doctor.She is pride and beauty.I cling to my remission,cling to my mother,so small she requires a baby pressure cuff.Her x-ray spins my world out of orbit.We exit to wind and rain.... More..
Arts & Humanities > Languages (Other) Sign Language: Not just for kids: 1 of 10

SIGN LANGUAGE: NOT JUST FOR KIDSDuring my early college years, I learned Sign Language when I worked and lived at a School for the Deaf as a dormitory helper for primary-aged boys. It was very frustrating to work with these children, although I adored them. I loved being their friend, kissing them goodnight, and watching thei... More..
Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss How does the death of a loved one affect you?: 12 of 119

WE SHARED FORGIVENESSOlder than me by 12 years, my brother was my hero. I only remember a few years with him, because he left home for college when I was six. He could drive, he could sing, and when I was in the hospital at age nine, all his college friends sent me get-well cards. I still have them, over 40 years later.Willia... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Mother-daughter friendship: 6 of 53
As I contemplate my personal testimony about friendship between a mother and daughter, I am overwhelmed by memories, snapshots of the past, some far away and others still new.I was a special-needs child, and my mother accommodated my suffering in every way possible. I was often post-surgically encased in plaster-of-Paris body... More..