By Min JI, Women’s Writing Program What made you so sad?What made you so mad?Is it something I said Is it something I did (and keep doing)That resurfaced a deep wound That never healedFrom your childhood? Was your dad never on your side?Did you feel alone against the worldWithout the groundingOf someoneAlwaysHaving your back? Did they make […]

By Elana Joy, TIWP Creative Writing TeacherWritten for NYC Midnight Rhyming Story Challenge 2023 The Autumn semester was halfway through and midterm exams were soon to be due. In the campus cafe students convened; over laptops and coffee they careened. I’d left my devices back in my dorm, needing a break and to drink something […]

By Min JI, TIWP Women’s ProgramThe crashing wavesThe calming sunsetThe beautiful phosphorescenceThe cycle of its tidesThe stillness of its depthThe home of all living things  The connector of this earthThe mother of all things Iam the ocean I am deepI am vastI am calmI am powerful This moment is a stormIt will not swallow meIt will […]

By Min JI, TIWP Women’s Program I was always a good girl I followed the rules I got good gradesI was kind to others I caused no trouble I stayed quiet I stayed small  It was the least I could doTo make my mother happy To make her sacrifices worthwhile The secret tears She thought she hid from me The bruise on her faceAs […]

By Christina Butler, Women’s Writing Program “It’s time” has some wait to it. In movies there is always a pregnant woman uttering those words as a man runs around with a suitcase. It’s time can mean so much more if we remove motherhood from the equation. As my kids need less of my time, I […]

By Lisa Danylchuk, TIWP Women’s Writing Program One foot in front of the other Softly they landin rhythm connecting to the earth the sandthe dirt it’s shade evolving from brown to red to purple to gravel leaves drop down while others clingto the trees the cold air of morning turns warm embraces my skin as water rises to its surface left foot right foot breathing out and in the motion becomes profound stillnessas Time slips away ideas arise thoughts sort throughone […]

By Lisa Danylchuk, TIWP Women’s Writing Program I am an ocean full of life within me fluid salt entire communities of organisms thriving going about their days I am a biodiverse environment I am a space for creation experience transition within me the wisdom of the whales the playful spirit of the dolphin the rage of the tsunami the smooth reflective surface that allows you to look in and see yourself and everything in life with […]

By Elaine Fawcett Gast, TIWP Women’s Program I went for a walk today. It was eight minutes of alone time. The rain stopped and I slipped out the garage door. Damp air. My fingers went white. I walked in a circle, around one neighborhood block, wondering how the world can at once be so quiet, […]

By Elaine Gast Fawcett, TIWP Women’s Program What is the joy I want to feel and embody and embrace?  What is the joy that wishes to come through me? So many times this joy feels elusive.  It’s the thing I want more than anything, to feel vibrant, alive, awake, living in love, vibrating in the […]

By Dina Varellas, TIWP Women’s Program I want to wake up every morning at 7:00 a.m. well rested with 7-8 hours of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep I want my cat, Jax, who I have attempted to train also to wake me up no later than 7:00 a.m. I want to sit on my balcony every morning […]