CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

In Carole’s previous “Alaska Letter 9” she wrote to her sister Mary, “I’m thinking about getting my own boat, and fishing it next summer.”

With the passing of time Carole finds herself pondering whether that is such a good idea. Doesn’t each of us at one time or another ask the question that the poet Mary Oliver wrote in a poem, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do/ with your one wild and precious life?”

The NESTER has previously featured Maureen’s wonderful photographs of Maui and the Cascades. In this post you will be delighted to  reflect over Maureen’s 4 summer Haiku.  About her interest in writing Haiku, Maureen tells us, “I’ve always been attracted to this form and enjoy the mental challenge of working with the five, seven, five syllable structure.”  She adds “I love nature and Haiku are traditionally meant to evoke the natural world so that’s another reason I’m drawn to this form of poetry.”

I am delighted to share with you a poem sent to me by Patricia Hammill on my recent birthday. Patricia penned MORNING, her first poem, in 1956 when she was nine years old and lived in Wenatchee, Washington.   Patricia reveals in this poem what will be a theme in many  poems written during her life

Carole writes “. . . this island has cast a spell over me.” For “fisherfolk” this is not an uncommon emotion. Whether it’s making a living fishing, and, perhaps, living on a boat or an island, it’s a “spell”. My brother Ken used to say, “Three days out to sea on a fishing boat and all the world falls away.” All of life is centered on the sea, the boat and catching fish.

Carole calls this spell “crazy”. It is also “romantic”. Nothing will quell this urge to leave the world behind except to set a compass course north to Alaska and scoff at those ashore who note that the catch predictions are “iffy” this year.
Tim

Adolescence, that time of life when what is desired, what is possible, and often what is acceptable are far apart – each from the other.  In Summer Movie, the poet is an adult reflecting back to a time in her life when what her mother expected from her and for her finds what is desired unimaginable. 
Cathy’s poem is both humorous and poignant at the same time. Didn’t we all, girl or boy, at some time in teenage years want the impossible?

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.