Rolanda T. Pyle

Rolanda T. Pyle is a licensed social worker in the field of aging. She works with caregivers of individuals with Alzheimers and Dementia, grandparents who are raising grandchildren and seniors in need. Rolanda is the Author of the books "Grandma's Hands" - a children's story book, "Finally" - a collection of inspirational poems; the compiler of and contributor to "Beneath His Everlasting Wings", a collection of devotionals. She has also contributed to journals, anthologies, magazines, collections and other publications. She is the winner of the 2023 Poetry is Life poetry contest award and her poetry book, "All Things" which was published in June 2023.

She has numerous awards including the distinguished 2004 Sloan Public Service Award and HBO's 2004 Beah Richards Spirit Award. In April 2004, New York's Daily News named her one of the "100 Women Who Shape Our City." Rolanda volunteers and provides senior chat to isolated seniors. She works with senior groups in churches. In addition to writing, she loves God, family, friends, reading, all kinds of music, traveling, Broadway plays, and NY Liberty, Mets and her favorite team NY Knicks.

Rolanda was quiet, sad and introverted as a child, and found writing to be a way to express herself. Poetry was a healing method for her. Once she started writing for different occasions and on different topics, she was asked to write poems for people, holidays and other occasions. She realized poetry was not just healing to her but to many others. She continues writing poetry to this day, decades later, because she knows this is what God has called her to do.

Poems by Rolanda:

A Tribute to Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren

We take this time to celebrate you for all you’ve done

For caring for your granddaughter and your grandson

You took on this awesome task that no one else could do,

Because no one loves and cares for your grandchild quite like you.

You had the courage to start all over again

Raising your grandchildren at an age when

You thought you might retire, travel and rest

But the children needed caregivers, and they needed the best.

Some came to you in pampers and most in tears

Needing nurturing and someone who cares.

Others came as toddlers, exploring the world on the run

You couldn’t believe this happened–after you thought that you were done.

Still others came at school age, when they needed guidance and direction

Science may have you baffled but you are great at giving affection.

And some of you have teenagers, oh my, what can I say.

Just keep reminding yourself that they won’t stay this way.

We know it has not been easy–often quite a heavy load

And there have been many bumps along the road

You’ve been misunderstood, labeled and denied the services you need

Often criticized and not recognized for your labor or your good deed.

But we honor you who have done so much

To change the lives of children with your special touch

We thank you grandparents: we thank you once, we thank you twice

And know you are appreciated for the rest of your life.

Thank you, grandparents.

Rolanda Pyle (c) All Rights Reserved

Daddy’s Music

Ella jumps

Sarah’s sassy

Billie thumps

Carmen’s brassy

Gloria croons

Aretha’s queen

Gladys booms

Diana’s supreme!

Nat’s king

Jimmy plays

Marvin sings

John sways

Miles blows

Nancy’s mellow

Ray crows

Patti bellows!

Jazz strokes

Gospel provokes

Calypso whines

Reggae shines

Blues soothes

R&B smooths

Rap grooves

Music makes me want to move!

Learned to listen at Daddy’s feet

Where he would listen to different beats

Learned to appreciate with Daddy’s ear

All kinds of music I would hear.

Learned that music was in his heart

That’s how my love for music got its start.

Rolanda Pyle (c) All Rights Reserved