This book had a mind of its own. It wrote itself. When I entered the Seabury Meadows, I never dreamed a book would come out the other end. I never thought I would be writing poetry with a group of residents that I had never met before. It all just happened. I had intended to read stories. I had no clue I would be leading a group of budding poets. But it happened. 

The Seabury Scribblers Present… is a collection of all the poems the dementia residents at Seabury wrote, along with my own comments and thoughts. From the group’s inception, until it was abruptly ended by the pandemic, we sat and wrote together in the Meadows. There are 26 poems here, all enhanced with illustrations from Clip Art. The poets were always thrilled to see pictures with their poems so it seemed appropriate to include some humorous illustrations here.

A few days before Christmas, after most of the poems had been written, Amy Marble, the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at the Meadows, suggested that we publish a book of the residents’ poetry to add to their Christmas present bags. I created a pamphlet with about a dozen of the poems to share for the holidays. The little book became a treasure. The residents really loved them. 

After that, Amy and I discussed expanding the project to publish a larger book for the general public. We felt it was important to share this experience with the outside world. To show the world how creative the residents in the Meadows could be. To provide information on poetry as therapy. Reading the book would be a good tool for doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers. It could also be of interest to anyone acting as caretaker at home. By describing all the activities that the staff at Seabury presented, caretakers could find a variety of things to keep their charges happy.

A book is a work that requires many people to finish. I would be remiss if I didn’t give them the credit that is due.

First and foremost is Amy Marble who has gone above and beyond any help I ever imagined. It was Amy who invited me into that special place. It was Amy who gathered the residents to read and write poetry with me. It was Amy who set up the Poetry Room. And it was Amy who was always available to answer questions or give me advice when needed. A special thanks goes to her.

Then of course, there are the CNAs who helped the residents feel comfortable all the time. I can’t imagine what would have happened if they hadn’t been there to provide any help I needed.

I want to thank the special people at Seabury for the interest they showed in the creation of the Scribblers book. Special thanks go to Marc Zirolli, Director of Marketing, and Renée Bernasconi, CEO. I appreciate the time they took to read and approve the final draft before publication.

Also high on my list of helpmates are the three new women who have come to be friends in just a matter of a few short weeks. The first is Vangella Buchanan, owner of Writery Ink LLC, who has taken me under her wing and given me the space to create a fiction writers’ workshop. She believed in my writing and was quick to offer help.

 Next comes Yvonne Johnson, the first person to appear and join the workshop and who brought her friend and trusted companion, Sonia Marshall. That makes three people who have been the backbone of my fiction writers’ workshop.

Thanks to Rozanne Hauser, the artist who provided the painting on the book cover. The band of editors and proofreaders helped put on the finishing touches. Thanks go to Ronnie Levine, Linda Foster, Carolann Purcell, and Liz Samieski. 

I want to thank my family for their patience and encouragement during the whole time. My sisters, Barbara and Ronnie. And, of course, my children who listened attentively while I endeavored to polish up the work.

The last section of the book, “A Conversation with the Author,” was included after much consideration. It was written after a conversation I had with Linda Foster, copy editor, proofreader, and wonderful friend. Our talk became a question-and-answer session that inevitability found its way to the back of the book.

When I sat down to write this book, I looked at my notes. I meant to include, poem by poem, a short description of how each poetry session progressed. What happened before, during, and after each meeting. Unfortunately, never having planned to write this book, I had no notes for most of the poems. Thus, only a short paragraph about each poem is included. I’ll have to settle for that.

So much for this introduction. You’ll just have to read the book to see what it’s all about.