With pen in hand, Garlands member, Vivian O’Neill, 93, took a leap of faith during COVID-19 and entered a poetry contest sponsored by Barrington’s White House on the topic of “House and Home.” She hadn’t written poetry before but, in the spirit of ever-growing and learning, she thought “Why not?!”
Vivian scored a spot among the top ten poets selected to perform a live-streamed reading of her work entitled “Home”—particularly fitting during the COVID-19 stay-at-home quarantine—for local broadcast. She is pictured here with her friend, Ellen, watching as the poems were streamed on the Barrington Cultural Commission’s program.
Home
by Garlands member Vivian M. O’Neill
What’s in a home that we can share,
Some books and tools and food and air.
The time of day to work or play,
It’s what’s inside that we hold dear.
Those happy times and special events,
It’s where I go when I need to rest.
What to do and what comes next.
So we count our money or put it away,
To spend or save for a rainy day.
Or plan a vacation with family or friends,
Maybe join a bowling or golfing group.
To enjoy an outing together with all,
The possibilities never end.
So now at the end of a wonderful day
I’m happy to be home to stay.
COVID Accomplishments
Garlands Members’ Wisdom and Ingenuity During a Global Pandemic
Garlands Members are RESILIENT! This “Greatest Generation” played witness to decades of world events, life experiences, and many ups and downs, so a global pandemic certainly isn’t going to get to them!
Each week The Garlands blog will feature some of the Garlands members’ “stay-at-home” pearls of wisdom and the many ways they continue to THRIVE and INSPIRE throughout COVID-19.
