Jerry Tinsley, a member of the Quail Creek Writers and Poets Club, will read selections from his recently published book, A Good Poem, while leading a discussion of creating “enjoyable poetry” at the next club meeting on Oct. 17. The QC Writers and Poets meet on the first and third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Kino Conference Room. All interested Quail Creek residents are invited to any session.
A Good Poem is a series of poems about life in retirement in Arizona. Jerry and his wife Stephanie have lived in three different retirement communities in Arizona over the past 17-1/2 years. Jerry, a retired family and marital therapist, is a former editor of the Corte Bella Times and served as communications director for the Writers and Poets Club in Quail Creek.
This meeting will also serve as a sendoff to Jerry and Stephanie as they depart for their next stage of retirement, living in their hometown of Overland Park, Kan., on Oct. 26. Farewell, friends.
Below is one sample from A Good Poem to which all Arizona retirees may relate:
Coming Home
No matter where or how far we’ve traveled,
the part of each trip we savor best
is entering the gates of our retirement haven
where we know we’ll find some needed rest.
Whether a weekend in Sedona,
or enjoying a jaunt overseas,
there’s no greeting like our green-grass bunkers,
nor panacea like pretty palm trees.
We’re always excited to be on our way,
exploring the world beyond our gates,
but whoever said, “there’s no place like home,”
would be amazed to hear how that now resonates.
So next time you’re flying down I-10,
or approaching the beauty of Green Valley,
think about those rolling hills and purple mountains:
head, heart and health will rally.