Afterthoughts: Poems to Heal the Heart for Adolescents and Their Parents and Guardians

By Mrs. D

Afterthoughts presents an unforgettable journey into the world of adolescence as seen through the eyes of a high school counselor. Each and every day, a very special someone enters the counselors office, knowing that it will be a safe haven to bare his or her soul. It is behind those closed doors that tears fall, heartfelt stories unfold, and answers to lifes most difficult questions begin to unravel. From the fourteen-year-old boy struggling with alcoholic parents to the young girl continuing to fight her addictions; these are emotional journeys that will affect all who read them deeply.

As a way of saying thank you to all those who have opened their hearts to her, author and school counselor Mrs. D. shares a journal created especially for them, presented in poetry and prose.

A Familiar Voice

Amidst the chaotic confusion,
the office phone rings.
Years have passed since the dismal dark voice
on the other end
So frantically fought back thoughts
of taking her life.
She speaks softly, slowly, tearfully,
of todays breakup.
She silently suffers within her
own world of sadness.
With a tearful tone, she speaks of him
And their connection,
The indescribable innocence
they shared together.
Can she sustain the painful prison
of being alone?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462014644

Mrs. D

Mrs. D. is a teacher and counselor who lives in New Jersey with her husband, children, and grandchildren. As a counselor, she quickly discovered that the written word is an extremely powerful tool for healing the soul. Mrs. D. is currently working on a survival guide for adolescents, parents, and guardians.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgments

Listen to Your Heart … Your Inner Voice

The Me I Need to Be

Not Like All the Others

It Makes Me Sad

It’s Time to Turn the Brain On

Awaken

There Is Always Hope

Day Three … Alone

Fly Away Into Freedom

Speak Quickly

Look In The Mirror … What Do I See?

I Just Want To Be Happy

A Familiar Voice

Someday You Will Find the Answers

Diagnosis … Cancer

Happily Ever After

P.S. and Lunch

Healing From the Inside Out

The Secret Is Out

It Always Seems Like Yesterday

A Letter from Pop

Life Goes On

A Synopsis of Life Using Drugs

Trust Happens If You Allow It

From Someone Who Cares

To A Young Girl from an Adult

To A Young Girl from an Adult … continued

Life Is Precious

A Second Chance

Dreams Do Come True … If Only You Believe

The World of Drugs vs. The World of Sports

Scene 1 … The World of Drugs

You and Drugs … Just the Facts:

No emotions, no feelings, no family involved.

Scene 2 … The World of Sports

You and Sports … Just the Facts

Emotions, feelings, and families involved

Scene 3 … Two Worlds Combined

Two Worlds Combined

A Letter To My Friend … Because I Care

To Those Parents/Guardians Who Are Guilty …

Guilty of loving their children

The Adolescent Mind … As Seen By An Adult

The Tunnel of Love

I Love You, My Child

A Letter to My Child

To My Parent/Guardian

Let Me Fly Alone … for a while

A Letter to My Parent/Guardian

Introspection

Silent Passage

Thank you for listening … thank you for writing … thank you for being you …

About the Author

Resources

Recommended Readings

Afterthoughts

Poems to Heal the Heart

for Adolescents and Their Parents/Guardians

Written by Mrs. D.

Illustrated by Tara Balboa

iUniverse®

©Ann Dinicola 6/07/07

SKU-000190326_TEXT.pdfSKU-000190326_TEXT.pdf

When the world says, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’

–Anonymous

Acknowledgments

Afterthoughts is a journey into the world of adolescence as seen through the eyes of a high school counselor. Each and every day a very special someone meanders into my office knowing that it is a safe haven in which to bare his/her soul. It is behind closed doors that tears fall, heartfelt stories unfold, and answers to life’s most difficult questions begin to surface. It is with sincere gratitude that I say thank you to all those beautiful young people and their parents/guardians who have trusted me with their deepest thoughts. In return, I share with you my response in poetry and prose to their precious words, along with My Afterthoughts, a journal created especially for you … your hopes … your dreams. The written word is a powerful tool for healing. Please listen to your inner voice and know that you are never alone. You are that special someone who is in the throes of adolescence; you will survive; the sun will shine tomorrow if only you believe in you!

Listen to Your Heart … Your Inner Voice

As this young girl searches for answers to life’s most difficult questions, she feels overwhelmed … and then she hears a voice.

Heart

Only five letters

Two vowels

Three consonants

One syllable

The main organ

Keeps one alive

One beat at a time

Uninterrupted

Look inside … heart

Three letters

Two vowels

One syllable … ear

Listen to your heart

Hear the voice

Whose voice … your voice

Hear what your heart is saying