Valley Voices

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A Literary Review

No. 1 2001

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Editors	Jianqing Zheng
	Mamie Osborne
	Larry Sams
	B.N. Shaw
Art Editor & Web Design	Ben Huang
Cover photo	J. Zheng, MVSU Sign, Itta Bena, Mississippi

Valley Voices: A Literary Review is published annually at Mississippi Valley State University, 14000 Hwy 82 West, Itta Bena, Mississippi 38941. The views expressed herein are those of the authors, not the editors.

Submissions and other correspondence are welcome, but a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) must be enclosed to guarantee a return or reply. Contributors' names and addresses should appear in the upper right-hand corner of each submission. We do not accept previously published material. Address all correspondence to the Editor, VALLEY VOICES, 14000 Highway 82 W. #5032, Itta Bena, Mississippi 38941-1400.

Copyright © 2001 by Valley Voices

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Foreward

Valley Voices: A Literary Review is published annually by the Department of English and Foreign Languages, Mississippi Valley State University. It is dedicated to readers and writers, with a purpose to promote works of the Valley students and of the writers from the Delta area and other regions and foster appreciation of the literary diversity of our multicultural society in the Mississippi Delta.

We understand that Valley Voices is young, but it is a young tree that will grow strong and tall. On our way from excellence to preeminence, we believe that the voices of Valley Voices will be heard not only in the Delta but in the nation as well.

Welcome to Valley Voices. We hope this premiere issue will carry you away. If so, please spread the word and come back.

Editors

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Contents

Poetry
Glenda F. Franklin	A Birthday Gift
Jocelyn Beverly	My Peaceful Day My Joy
Linda Watkins	The Book
Sherlie Holbroks	Saturday Night
Emma Bullock	Log Cabin My Rock
Nellie Robertson	Distance Casino in Greenville
Alma Patterson	Bus Ride
Christine Watson	Laundry Room
LaShun Baymon	When in Love
Patricia Y. Ray	I Ain't Feeling Nothing
Beverly Stout	The Last Laugh
Mary McBride	My Grandfather
Ontennica Forrest	Teacher in Uniform
Sandra H. Jones	The Trees

Haiku by Shelia Taylor, Barbara O?Neal, Mildred J. Burks, Ontennica Forrest, Mary McBride, Timothy P. Rush, Alma Patterson, LaShun Baymon, Nellie Robertson, Rakesha Jones

Short-Shorts
Beverly Stout	A Car Full of Old Ladies
Sharon Hill	Sharon's Funeral