CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mike Cohen, poet, story teller, and novelist,  returns to the NESTER with a poem he describes as “ . . . perhaps a country western ballad in search of music”.  Mike adds,  “I like it.” We also like it and so will you.  Although this is the first “country western ballad” included in the NESTER,  we do have avid country music fans receiving this email. So, this is for you!

Mike’s poems, short stories and novel excerpts have appeared in several literary magazines. In addition to writing award winning short stories selected for publication, his stories have been anthologized and reviewed.

You are invited to spend time today reading Cathy Ross’s
new poem, EQUILIBRIUM and revisiting Mike Cohen’s poem ARISE.

EQUILIBRIUM, and ARISE, speak to those times when we are in transition from one stage in our lives to another. During those times, we often find ourselves uncertain and confused. What we are doing isn’t working and what lies ahead is puzzling and causes anxiety. While EQUILIBRIUM’S subject is about those anxious times, ARISE is a call to action. You and I must “dig” deep and find the courage to sing a new “song”.

You will find Mike’s poem, ARISE in the FEATURED posts in the menu.   

In a previous post, many visitors to the NESTER enjoyed Carole Gibb’s seventh letter to her sister Mary. In these excerpts from her memoir FISHING FOR COURAGE, Carole writes letters to Mary describing her challenging experiences fishing and living in Southeastern Alaska’s outback.  In her eighth letter, Carole writes a rousing narrative about an evening in a bar in Pelican, the nearest town to her cabin.

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.

Dear Reader,

Cathy’s poem, “O CHRISTMAS TREE”, may take more than one reading.  Each reading will take you further into the poem and increase its meaning for you.  This certainly happened for me and may happen for you! 

The poem is a Pantoum, a Malaysian oral form of poetry that became famous in Europe and America in the 19th & 20th centuries.  The poem consists of four line stanzas where lines repeat themselves in different stanzas and add to the lines meaning in each stanza.

I find this particularly appropriate for the Christmas season where year after year we repeat traditions and the repetition adds to the significance of the tradition. Some of the traditions are part of the season for many of us like carols and choral Christmas concerts. Other are connected to families, cultures, religions and where we live.

With several readings the lines of “O CHRISTMAS TREE” become familiar and open you to traditions you have practiced over the years.  You might write a Pantoum poem or (a good thing about poetry) find yourself playing with the lines as you consider what Christmas has meant for you.

Thank you Cathy and enjoy the poem!

Tim

Ah, the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I’ve never been able to keep up with it all.  Especially purchasing and wrapping presents. My dad never did any of it – he left it all for Mom.  Well, Lorelie and I don’t have that kind of marriage. I’m thankful for that –  most of the time.  But buying and wrapping presents?  Yup, Fast food for energy and brave the mall on Christmas Eve.  Every year! Some years ago I wrote a silly poem and Lorelie said,  “That’s pretty good’ I could improve it!”  Hope you enjoy the poem. This is the way it was!   Tim