The spring issue of Soul-Lit is now live and I have two poems in it that can be read here.
I’ll note that “Morning Blessing” previously appeared in my chapbook “Irresistible” and “Kindness” in the anthology “Best of Kindness 2017” where it placed third. These notes were supposed to be included with their appearance here. Such a lovely journal! Do check out the rest of the issue.
This is just to say my entry into The UK Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition 2021 bore some fruit after five years: I received a long and lovely email saying a poem of mine (which is not being named so it can be submitted elsewhere etc) made the longlist of 108 poems – out of 16,729! I had submitted two and it was of great interest to me to discover that the poem that went farthest wasn’t the lyrical, highly crafted one – but the more free-flowing, almost conversational more narrative one. So that’s something for me to think about, maybe compose more like that. Here’s a link to the results page, with the winning poems and the longlist from which they were chosen (listed alphabetically by each poet’s first name): https://poetrysociety.org.uk/competitions/national-poetry-competition/
I’ve been away in Mexico for a couple of months so haven’t posted much and also haven’t read much of others’ blogs. I have lots of catching up to do! Happy Spring to you all!
This is my second poem included in the anthology “Poets Speaking To Poets: Echoes and Tributes” – the brainchild of editors Robert Hamblin and Nicholas Fargnoli and is a tribute to poet Jane Kenyon. It first appeared in my chapbook “Irresistible”. Imagine my surprise to be handed a brochure about the artist Jane Kenyon during a walk one day! Referenced in the first stanza are various titles from her striking works and in the second are titles and lines from the poet – fun to do and which would be evident to any reader already familiar with the poet’s work; however I wanted to give equal footing to the lesser known artist, whose exhibition theme echoed so many of Jane Kenyon’s poems. The artist didn’t begin her career in visual art until 1993, two years before the poet died. Though the poet was born in 1947 and the artist in 1953, they probably didn’t know each other. You can find out more about the artist here
The book is a wonderful collection of poems that talk to each other through poets past and present. It’s available on Amazon here and also here.
This poem, which first appeared in my chapbook “Irresistible”, is the first of two selected for the anthology “Poets Speaking To Poets: Echoes and Tributes” – the brainchild of editors Robert Hamblin and Nicholas Fargnoli. My poem was written after Cecilia Woloch’s “Blazon”. I will post my tribute poem later. The book is a wonderful collection of poems that talk to each other through poets past and present. It’s available on Amazon here and also here.
The last of four poems included in the anthology “easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles”. My thanks again to d. ellis phelps for publishing it! Available on Amazon US and Amazon Canada
Another poem from the recently released anthology “easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles” with deep thanks to editor d. ellis phelps. It was inspired by my beloved stepmother and happy childhood summers in Annan-Leith near Georgian Bay on Lake Huron.
My little poem THE THIN MAN is now up in Volume 12, along with many wonderful others. Many thanks again to editor Robert Nazarene for his enthusiasm! And may 2022 bring glad tidings and good health to you all!
Another poem from the recently released anthology “easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles” with deep thanks to editor d. ellis phelps. Should you wish to read further, it’s available here in Canada and in USA.
This poem is one of four just published in the anthology “easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles” and has also been nominated for a Pushcart prize. My deep thanks to editor d. ellis phelps for this honour and for its inclusion in such a heartwarming book! And for those who’d like to read further or gift it, it’s available for a very reasonable price on Amazon http://easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles (US) and http://easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles (Canada)