9-08-2025 5:34am

"Bearing" Bad News Disheartens Poet Aressa Williams, Sweetens the Good

Lesley Misko Editor

“The Bog” Color Film Photograph by Denise Romano Bright

Editor’s Note: Area writers were invited to submit poetry and/or prose to Studio B Art Gallery’s summer project “The Three Bears.” Writers were challenged to respond to the meanings of the words “bear” and “bare,” the Bear Fever sculptures or an aspect or theme from the fairy tale “Goldilocks & the Three Bears.” Their poetry and prose responses have been published in The Boyertown Area Expression. We hope you will enjoy the wide-ranging responses to the challenging theme.

The Promotion
~ Aressa Williams

Fall Semester, final week
Warning signs of impending gloom
Dreamed of not reaching a mountaintop
Broke my favorite coffee mug
Felt foreboding mood for no apparent reason

That Monday
Associate Professor of English promotion denied
Numbness masked the unbearable pain
Discouraged, listless, weak
Disappointment flu.

That Tuesday
Nursed my misery at the pond.
“When will the hurt go away?”
“Why didn’t I know better?”
“What will ever become of me?”

That Wednesday
Comforting answers hugged my spirit.
“You will feel better day by day.”
“Remember, something good always happens after something bad.”
“You are not a failure.”

That Friday.
Hit the Maryland Lottery, $500 for a mistake
Unexpected winning lifted my spirit.
Bought a new dress, treated the family to lunch
Back to the pond for gratitude walk

That Spring Semester,
English classes full before the semester began
Thank you letters, cards, flowers, gifts from former students
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
Accolades from Registrar’s Office
Vote of confidence from English colleagues
Appreciation Certificate from the Learning College
Acknowledged, affirmed, appreciated,
“For certainly where one has been makes where one is more meaningful.”
-Carolyn M. Rodgers-

~ Aressa V. Williams, a retired Professor of English, is also a poet. An active member of Pen in Hand, Poetry X Hunger, Poetry Nation, Aressa is also a Literary Leader for the Prince Georges County Arts and Humanities Council. The word weaver is honored to serve as poet laureate for The Write Women.