Today I am thinking about seeds. As a gardener, vegetables begin as simple seeds. As an author, writing ideas begin as kernels and either blossom into successful work or fail to grow into a completed piece. In both instances, one must have the foresight to recognize what is within the seed. Just as a gardener plans her plot, an author sees not only the night sky but a vision beyond. [above poem published on Cold Moon Journal 5/26/23] But for either, the hard work must be done. The gardener tills the soil and plants the seeds, waters, and weeds. An author must be ever alert for inspiration, jot thoughts in an omnipresent pocket notebook, and sit for hours and days on end, writing on paper or inputting line after line in a word processing program. This summer has been incredibly hot and dry. Despite nurture and watering, some plants have failed to thrive, other hardier specimens are prolific producers. Despite buzzing bees, neither my zucchini nor squash have fruited. As an author, I mus...
As the holidays approach, families gather to celebrate together. In our mobile society, this may be the only time members meet in person. The reunion of loved ones is the perfect time to recount ancestral stories. Ancient oral traditions of songs or poems commemorating important cultural events have nearly disappeared. The shared tales may have been true or imagined, but they provided a basis for memories. There has been a resurgence of the study of genealogy, with supporting websites, such as Ancestry , to facilitate and store family trees. Valuable links include censuses, military records, birth/death/marriage/divorce documents, property deeds, and newspaper clippings. Some aficionados trace their lineage back multiple generations. The definition of family has changed over time, from a clan in a cave, culture to culture, nation to nation. Its meaning has expanded to include other non-related individuals dear to one another. Perhaps this year, if you cannot travel to see your gen...
I’m pleased to announce the publication of my third poetry volume, Voyage: Vista and Verse , a compilation of monoku, haiku, and senryu. Some haiku are written in the classic 5–7–5 format; more follow the looser American tradition. A monoku consists of a one-line haiku. The senryu utilizes irony or satire rather than the usual nature subject of the haiku. They may be cynical or darkly humorous. This paperback book is packed with over 75 poems and illustrated with 50 full-color photographs, that follow the Author on her voyage, near and far, via vista and verse. The inspiration for this work arises from travels, stateside and abroad, internal and external. For those that prefer the electronic reading experience, the Kindle version will be out in a few weeks. My thanks to two haikuists, Roberta Beach Jacobson , Editor of Cold Moon Journal, and Patricia McGuire , Editor of The Poetry Pea, for their mentorship and encouragement. I hope you enjoy my latest poetic endeavor....
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