Timothy Olson

I am amused when I read Cathy’s poem HOW LONG WILL IT KEEP – even for a second or third time. Haven’t all of us stopped to take a breath when we look closely at an expiration date of a prescription container, a filet of fish bought at a “REDUCED SALE” cost lingering in the fridge, or a jar of peanut butter that hasn’t been opened in three months?  Will it be perfectly all right, or merely taste bad, or poison me?

Cathy’s poems often take everyday experiences most of us share and then change them in an unexpected direction.  This is one of those poems – you will be pleased that you read it!

The galaxies, the stars, and the planets provide the inspiration for several of Cathy’s poems. The NESTER has featured three of these poems, QUESTIONS FOR THE STARS, LUNAR NEW YEAR, and THE MOON YOU NEVER SEE.  Cathy titled one of her books, IF THE MOON CAME OUT ONLY ONCE A YEAR. 

Like many of her poems, in THE RED PLANET it’s important to carefully read the stanzas prior to the final stanza. A twist in content reveals a thought worth pondering after finishing the poem,  and could inspire a second reading.

After several months, Lorelie and I are delighted to continue  posting Carole Gibb’s LETTERS FROM ALASKA. In these excerpts from her memoir FISHING FOR COURAGE, Carole writes letters to her sister, Mary, describing her challenging experiences fishing and living in Southeastern Alaska’s outback. Her letters are vivid, honest, and often quite funny!  The previous six letters are available in the WRITERS category of the NESTER blog.  Her memoir, FISHING FOR COURAGE, is available on AMAZON in both book and ebook formats.