Advent is upon us, ready or not. And Santa season began weeks ago and is now in full shopping mode. In the spirit of both I’m announcing A Way with Words, my newest publication. Its content offers a poetic, thoughtful guide to preparing for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Its attractive, yet inexpensive format makes it an appealing, and unusual gift, even a possible stocking stuffer.
The book is a collection of recent verse, beginning with Advent – Epiphany themes, and continuing through the year. It sells at $10 per copy (plus $2 for postage etc.) and all proceeds, beyond cost, will be donated to the Scarborough or Chebeague Island Maine food pantries. I have added a couple of sample poems (below) as a sneak preview of the contents.
To order contact me at barrieshep@aol.com, 207 510 1637, or 15 Piper Road – K 325, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Nativity Play
Amid sheepish shepherds,
stumbling kings, awkward angels
with their bent-coat-hanger halos,
my most unforgettable character
is the tender-hearted lad
assigned to play inn keeper
who undid the whole production
when he assured the wandering couple,
“You folks are so, so lucky.
We just had a cancellation.”

Shopping Days ‘til Christmas
Black Friday opened up
before Halloween this year,
and the customary counselors are predicting
drastic shortages, delays and empty shelves.
The supply chain appears to be untethered –
loaded ships lying off the coast at anchor,
idled drivers, vacant trucks holding in line –
impending crisis, once again, is all the news.
Yet my Christmas list stays calmly unimperiled.
One festive meal with folk whose company
I have come to cherish over years.
One dog-directed stroll along the shore,
or down a snow-edged forest trail.
One open fireside with warm slippers,
a chair that tilts me backward when desired,
and a book I know so well the plot flows,
slow and easy into slumber.
A generous mug, or glass, to sip on,
welcome voice and touch when I awake.
At the close, a holy space of choir and candles,
ancient words of grace and comfort,
merry greetings, mending peace.