Hi everyone, glad to be here. Sharon Leigh is my nom de plume for poetry, though my first name is indeed Sharon.
I was born in Connecticut, fourth in line in a family of 9. A shy, quiet towhead, I was an artist, an animal lover, lost in dreams of the vast mini-worlds I saw each time I knelt in the grass to peer at the half-sunken rocks. Curling forests of lichen, acres of moss: my own diminutive landscape.
We moved to Michigan in 1976, I clearly recall the hubub over the country’s bicentennial: flags everywhere. My mother read to us each night, and kindled my love for poetry. After she’d read a few aloud, she’d hand the book to me & I’d pore through each anthology. Like most writers here, I was a voracious reader, I recall having the sensation having read “every book in the house” and hungering for more. I believe I wrote my first poem at eight years, and haven’t looked back. Writing’s been in among my nucleotides ever since.
Grew up, didn’t go to college/university. After high school graduation I attended a local trade school to become a certified dental assistant. Been in the dental field ever since, in many differing capacities.
In 1995, I moved to Washington state & met my ex-husband. We married and had four children: three boys and a girl. I loved the Pacific Northwest though the marriage was tumultuos: the deepest green, mossy mood of the hissing rain on old forests thrilled my soul. It informed my writings, of course, and I’m still inspired by the beauty of that part of the US.
Nasty divorce, a move back to my roots to be near my family and lick my wounds. My biggest peace and relief: I had full custody. My life became about these four hugest-blessings-ever, raising, caring for and enjoying them. How amazing they are, so resilient. They’ve turned out to be kind, intelligent, hard-working people despite their mother, and I couldn’t be prouder! None married, so no grandchildren yet for me. It’s all been so fast.
I have one handsome 6’2" incarnation of my once-baby left in my home. He’s 21 and about to fly the coop, so it’s empty nest for me. Hooray?
I’m currently employed at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, in the pediatric dentistry department. I’m in a clinical, patient-facing position and I love it. I work alongside residents, faculty, and the undergrads as needed. Our patient base is mainly composed of children who cannot be seen at general or pedodontic practices, due to autism spectrum disorders, chromosome disorders, disabilities, behavioral issues and so on. It’s very rewarding. I also freelance, writing dental content and copy on the side.
I’ve never really been published, though to be fair, I haven’t submitted as much as I could. This hasn’t bothered me, I enjoy it for other reasons. I’m pretty sure I’m among the least educated here, and other poetry sites I visit. I have no right to tell you what you should do with your babies. You should take whatever suggestions I offer with the proverbial grain and a modicum of self knowledge. I’m self-taught, and this makes me feel like a fraud at times. But then I bring it down to its (for me) basics: do I love poetry? Yes. Do I enjoy reading it, writing it, and participation? Also yes. So, I stay. And I love reading and learning from the varied and sharp talents here.
I also enjoy painting in watercolors, home decor, singing, swimming, diving, and exotic birds.
I come and go on this site, however, because I wrestle with both anxiety and depression. These states wax and wane, making life extremely difficult at times, though for the most part between my doctor and my counselor I feel pretty steady these days. So if sometimes I seem to drop off the face of the earth (or out of the branches of the tree, so to speak) please extend me whatever little grace and patience you don’t mind parting with, and I’ll be in your debt. Thanks for understanding.
On The Tangled Branch: I came from another site, where I’d met many great writers and learned so much from the whole community. So when that went kaput & I was invited to participate here on TTB, I was delighted. I’m always open to criticism and suggestion and reader opinion when it comes to my poetry. Crit away! And I’ll do my best to return the favor.
See ya on the threads!
