Dancing on Dewdrops: Rustic poems, prayers and elegant short stories that provide inspiration, comfort and strength

By Mark John Terranova

Dancing on Dewdrops is an entrancing collection of poems, prayers, and short stories that capture the utter joy of youth, wrestle with the inherent elements of change, offering strength and solace—all while celebrating life across several generations. The rustic poetry, prayers, humor and short stories for children will appeal to all ages. Dancing on Dewdrops provides inspiration, delivering the lasting imagery that leaves an indelible imprint on the heart and human spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Apr 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781977213310

Mark John Terranova

Mark John Terranova, raised in rural Pennsylvania, has been expressing the essence of life in his poetry and short stories for over thirty years. He now lives with his family in Illinois.

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The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

Dancing On Dewdrops

Rustic poems, prayers and elegant short stories that provide inspiration, comfort and strength

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2015 Mark John Terranova

v5.0, r2.2

Cover Photo © 2015 thinkstockphotos.com. All rights reserved - used with permission.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-9772-1331-0

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Preface

Dancing on Dewdrops captures moments of joy, sadness, hope, and humor across several generations. It was written to provide inspiration and comfort to the reader.

Adults, teenagers, and older children will enjoy this literary work, which consists of:

Rustic poetry that stirs the emotions and deals with the angst of change

Prayers that strengthen the human spirit, for Catholics and Christians

Humorous short stories that create a smile

Elegant stories that teach values for older children

As a matter of personal style, I like poetry and stories to flow. The words, in my opinion, should be pleasing, understandable, and deliver visual imagery while also leaving a lasting impression. I hope you will find that to be the case as you read the various sections of this book.

This literary work is dedicated to:

My aunt Toni and the millions of families worldwide

who had loved ones die from COVID-19,

my cousin Johnny and my uncle Lou,

who also passed away in 2020,

and to other family members and friends

who passed away too soon over the years…

Table of Contents

Joyful, Rustic Poems

Changing Landscapes

Prayers

Humorous Stories

Children’s Stories with a Moral

Joyful, Rustic Poems

This first set of poems—Being a Boy, Summers Gone By, Winter’s Last Breath, and Spirited Spring Winds—attempts to capture the utter joy of youth in a small, rural neighborhood near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood was adjacent to a three-hundred-acre campground with a large pond, crisscrossing streams, rolling hills, large swards of land dotted with clusters of pine trees and oak trees entangled with vines.

Farther down from the campground were what seemed like endless farms and fields from a child’s point of view. Of particular interest to curious lads looking for adventure were two large quarries, full of deep, mysterious water, with swift, cascading currents moving between them. These quarries were from the early 1900s. A small mule trail and set of railroad tracks still ran into one of the quarries.

The farms flowed toward the Brandywine River with a quaint one-car bridge that served as the local gateway to one of the DuPont Estates. The pristine gardens ensconced with bamboo trees and the large concrete silos on the estate made this property seem like a castle. This part of the Brandywine River was wide but shallow enough for steady crossings and summer swims. Hiking north up