Three Rivers College student Bobbi Minyard’s work “Mama Doesn’t Make Pancakes on Sunday” has been selected for publication in the 32nd edition of Phi Theta Kappa’s Nota Bene Literary and Visual Arts Honors Anthology.
A national panel of judges selected Minyard’s piece from more than 3,200 submissions.
“I felt incredibly honored and grateful (to be selected). Sharing a poem about such a difficult subject can feel vulnerable, so having it selected was especially meaningful,” Minyard said. “This recognition encourages me to keep writing and reminds me that words can create connections. More than anything, I hope the poem helps someone feel seen and less alone.”
Minyard continued that “Mama Doesn’t Make Pancakes on Sunday” is a poem about childhood sexual abuse and the lasting impact trauma can have into adulthood. The poem uses the images of making pancakes to show how something ordinary can become connected to painful memories. It asks readers to consider the stories behind behaviors they may not understand and to approach others with compassion. “I wanted to give a voice to the harsh reality many women carry in silence and help fellow survivors feel heard, understood, and less alone,” Minyard said. “I wanted to use poetry to give a voice to that hidden pain. Pancakes are often associated with comforting family traditions and using that familiar image allowed me to explore how trauma can change someone’s relationship with everyday moments.”
