After the bustle of December holidays and the celebration of New Year’s Day, we endure winter’s dark days in January. This is the perfect time to pause in our busy lives and reflect on where we have been and where we are going. Cathy’s poem, THE PAUSE is just right for January!
CATHY ROSS – POET – “THE PAUSE” Read More »
As we enter 2023, I encourage you to read this wonderful poem written with the New Year in mind by Jackie Kay.
Tim
JACKIE KAY – POET – “PROMISE” Poem for A New Year Read More »
I am currently reading Margaret Atwood’s book of essays, BURNING QUESTIONS. One essay focuses on a Polish journalist, R. Kapuscinski, who covered dangerous places and events in his career. Despite this he continued to express optimism about the future. He wrote, “We stand in darkness, surrounded by light.” Although I wrote DO TELL ME in the nineteen- seventies, the themes remain timeless!
TIM OLSON – POET – “DO TELL ME” Read More »
A holiday greeting from Dave & Joyce Wagar
“We spent July and August on our Whidbey Island beach place this year.
One of our favorite off-beach walks is the Wilbert Trail at South Whidbey State Park, only four miles away. The trail stars a remarkable stand of old growth firs and cedars, with an abundant supporting cast of native vegetation. The scene in Dave’s painting is from a walk on a partly sunny day in July.
DAVID WAGAR – PAINTER/POET – “GREEN FIRE” Read More »
Cathy’s poem, “HEARTHSONG” comes from an earlier book of poems titled, “AFTER WINTER.” This poem, however, speaks to that first cold snap of late fall, the setting of the first fire in the fireplace, sitting close and feeling the warmth soothe the body and the soul.
CATHY ROSS – POET _ “HEARTHSONG” Read More »
A day spent beachcombing with the ocean’s surf a few yards away, the horizon in the distance and rocks, pools, sea creatures and driftwood at our feet is always a day well spent. And then occasionally to find a treasure – sea glass! to hold the glass in the hand . . .
“I WANT TO AGE LIKE SEA GLASS” by Bernadette Noll – contributed by Lee Lageschulte Read More »
I started writing poetry when I was nine years old. My mother had friends who were poets, my aunts wrote poetry, and I had wonderful teachers in school who not only wrote poetry but promoted poetry. Also, I had friends who enjoyed “playing with words.” Writing poetry seemed natural.
Many of my themes deal with nature; however, I also have written about issues concerning the range of human experience, including joy, love, and desperation.
PATRICIA HAMMILL – POET – “SYMPHONY OF WIND” Read More »
With the anticipation and excitement of the June fishing openings over and the crew settled into the repetitive routines of setting the net and bringing the fish aboard the boat, the crew smiles when the skipper says, “Last set, make a town pile, bring the skiff aboard, and let’s head for town.
SALMON SUMMERS XVI – “END OF AN OPENING” By Tim Olson Read More »
It’s August now and the pinks are running on the West Coast. The Glenda Faye makes a move from the north to Clarence Straits, to the coasts of Dall Island and Noyes Island. A successful or mediocre season hangs in the balance of a few weeks on the coast. Fishing in constant swells and steep seas replaces the comfort and safety of fishing inside waters. Chances are taken . . .
SALMON SUMMERS XV – SET OFF ST. JOSEPH’S ISLAND -By Tim Olson Read More »
Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem, I AM WAITING, is the inspiration for Cathy’s poem, I AM LOOKING. Ferlinghetti, in his notes, wrote, ” This poem was conceived specifically for jazz accompaniment and as such should be considered as a spontaneously spoken “oral message” rather than as a poem for the printed page.” If you or I read or speak I AM LOOKING, in that way, the poem is subject to change. How might you or I read this poem and then write our own poem?
Tim
CATHY ROSS – POET – “I AM LOOKING” Read More »
