Away from Home

By Carrie Hooper

In this collection of fifty-six poems, the author, who is blind, shares thoughts on some of her many travels. Part One, A Week at Sea, contains poems about a cruise she took with eight members of her family. Part Two, Other Adventures, includes poems inspired by places she and a friend visited in western New York, a trip to Florida, an unforgettable day in Des Moines, Iowa, and much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carrie Hooper
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463128701

Carrie Hooper

Carrie Hooper was born and raised in Elmira, New York. She received a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from Mansfield University and Master’s degrees in German and vocal performance from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She studied one year at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden as a Fulbright Scholar. Carrie taught German, Italian, and Romanian between 2002 and 2019 at Elmira College (Elmira, New York). She teaches voice and piano lessons, sings in a local chorus, gives vocal concerts, and plays the piano and organ at a church. She has published two collections of poetry and has translated a book, articles, and short stories from Albanian and Romanian into English.

Book preview

Away from Home

by Carrie Hooper

Published by Carrie Hooper

2020

Copyright © 2019 by Carrie Hooper

All rights reserved.

First Printing 2019.

Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Chapter One A Week at Sea

Author’s Note

A Distant Reality

All Aboard

On Our Way

My First Walk on the Ship

A Multicultural Mosaic

Arnold

Melina

Z, the Waiter

Elza

The Dining Room Dance

Eating Par Excellence

The Piano Woman

Seventies’ Music Trivia

Karaoke

In the Casino

Extraordinary Encounters

An Afternoon Swim

The Hot Tub

The Coconut Tree

On A Beach in Cozumel

Tactile Souvenirs

Uncle Mani

The Ancient Salt Mines of Xtampu

Cati’s Tortillas

The Mayan Ruins of Xcambo

Sharing a Tradition

In Saint Anne’s Cathedral

A Buffet on the Beach

Our Last Supper at Sea

Debarkation

The Ship of Reality

Chapter Two Other Adventures

Packing for a Trip to Huntsville, Alabama

A Simple Blessing

Geronimo’s Cell

A Liberating Fourth of July

An Unforgettable Journey

Memories of My Buffalo Grandmother

A Tribute to John Grapka

Supper with NYSSB Students

A Play at NYSSB

The Sesquicentennial Celebration at NYSSB

The Garden at NYSSB

The Hospitality Room

The Memorial Service

The Water Slide

Joan Dickinson’s Backyard

A Walk Along the Erie Canal

A Visit to Springdale Farm

Driving Park Rose Garden

The Hidden Walkway

A Carousel Ride

Old Burlington Church

To Philip Bliss

A Visit with a Pennsylvania Family

A Friend’s Christmas