that poem by poem brings that world into view for all to see, and to be nurtured by." Merritt's earlier poetry collections, What’s Wrong with Ordinary? Poems to Celebrate Life (2012), Cancer, A Caregiver’s View (2011), and Job Loss, A Journey in Poetry (2010), have an intimate way of connecting with readers. Noted poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins says, "Merritt's poignant work resonates with true realities, giving reasons to see ourselves as we should." Awards Teachers’ Choice Award from Learning Magazine for contributions to three children's book series, 2007, 2008, 2009 Award for Young Adult Fiction from Children’s Writer, 2005 Award for Poetry in Dimensions, First Place, 1984 Published work Poetry books Bible Poems for Reflection and Response, Cladach Publishing, Greeley, CO; 2020 (9781945099250) No Winter Maintenance: Pass at Your Own Risk, YBK Publishers, New York, NY; 2017 (9781936411481) We Walk Together, BEECH HILL PUBLISHING COMPANY, Maine; 2015 (9780990820062) Her House and Other Poems, STAIRWELL BOOKS, Norwalk, CT and the UK; 2013 (9781939269089) What’s Wrong with Ordinary? Poems to Celebrate Life, AVALON PRESS, Cornwall, England; 2012 (9780956330345) Cancer, A Caregiver’s View, AVALON PRESS, Cornwall, England; 2011 (9780956330338) Job Loss, A Journey in Poetry, AVALON PRESS, Cornwall, England; 2010 (9780956330314) Poems for children and adults "St. Patrick's Day in Chicago": poem for anthology—THE POETRY OF US; National Geographic; 2018 "Me and My Feet": children's poem for anthology—ONE MINUTE TILL BEDTIME; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Spring 2016 "The Great Blue Hole": poem for anthology—BOOK OF NATURE POETRY; National Geographic; October 2015 "Be Still": poem for GARBANZO LITERARY JOURNAL, volume 5; May 2015 "Playful Puppies": children's poem; HIGHLIGHTS HELLO! Magazine; 2014 "I Can!" and "Your Wonderful Body": children's poems; HIGHLIGHTS HELLO! Magazine; 2013 "Jargon" and "Snow Walk": poems for CADUCEUS, a journal by the Yale Medical Group, volumes 9 and 10; Spring 2012 and 2013 “Hello, World!”: children's poem; HIGHLIGHTS HIGH FIVE Magazine; 2012 "Easiest Job Ever": children's poem; SCBWI BULLETIN; 2012 "In Response to Olives": poem for anthology—OLIVES, NOW AND THEN: POEMS IN HONOR OF DONALD HALL; CT Poetry Society; Sept. 2011 “me and lee”: poem for anthology—DEAR ONE: A TRIBUTE TO LEE BENNETT HOPKINS; NCTE; 2009 “The Open Door”: poem for all ages; BOOK LINKS; May 2009 Poems for QUEUE, INC (language arts and writing workbooks): “Traveling Together”; “Who Needs School?”; “Different”; “The Turtle’s Walk”; “Someone Special”; “Jumping Rope”; 2009 “Learning to Follow Christ”: Christian poem; THE CATHOLIC