Finally ready! A collaborative effort with Dona’s son, Dean Smith, who is a poet and writer extraodinaire himself, Larry Lowrimore, Dona’s husband, and yours truly.
We’ve been working on it for the last 6 months, and we think it’s terrific! For those of you who have met Dona, it will give you insight to her true self. It’s a part of her that I never knew existed until after she died. It is available in USA on Amazon.com and in Europe at https://www.amazon.it/Vita-Musings-Dona-Carol-Bartoli
What follows is the first part of the Dedication of the book, written by her son, Dean. It’s just a teaser. Buy the book and get the rest! All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to cancer research.
As she lay dying, my mother told me a story that I’d never heard before. She’d spent parts of summers at the Wee Green, a restaurant for the farmers and working types in western Pennsylvania established by her Neapolitan grandparents Pietro and Filomena (Elizabeth) Ciampi. During prohibition, it was a speakeasy. Dona would play outside by herself, inventing games on the long driveway that led to the front door.
7 replies on “Dona’s Poems”
Mary,
I was so happy to see Dean’s email announcement about this, and ordered the book right away. I didn’t realize you had collaborated with him on the book, but think that is just so very right. Whenever Dona spoke of you, she always said “Mary Wilson, Mary Wilson” twice – as if you were one of the most loved friends. Like you, I never knew of Dona’s writing and am so very moved to know it is now collected and possible to share. Thank you! (And I don’t know if you recall the one time I met you at your home, and we had a lovely visit on your magical terrace.)
Donna
(Dona and Larry called me Donna Due)
Ciao Donna,
Of course I remember you Donna Due! Most of the poems were hand written and some typed. I scanned them all plus the pictures and some of the “musings” that Larry found and we included them just for a personal touch. Dean typed some and I typed some and then reformatted them for publishing. It was a labor of love.
Enjoy the book!
Mary
I just ordered my copy!
Mary, I ordered my copy today. Looking forward to reading her poems. I will thank you in advance for assisting in getting her poems published. Will provide feedback once I have read her collection of poems. Just reading her bio makes me realize what a remarkable women Dona Carol Bartoli was. Warmest regards, Jeff
Hi Mary
Thanks so much for sharing this.
Will order
Take care,
Carol
Good for the three of you. it’s a great remembrance.
Such a wonderful tribute and remembrance of a remarkable woman and dear friend.
Will order!
Ciao for now,
Roz