My Book In Light and Silver & Miss Emily D.

Here is my book with the lovely photo by Scott Pope and with the silver sticker that signifies I was a finalist! I am so proud of this little book because it went so far. And it is such a little book! Now I have to get down to business and publish a full-length collection.

Here is a little poem by Miss Emily D. that I included in my grad research paper on the emergence of compassion and empathy in writing poetry:

The Martyr Poets—did not tell—
But wrought their Pang in syllable—
That when their mortal name be numb—
Their mortal fate—encourage Some—
The Martyr Painters—never spoke—
Bequeathing—rather—to their Work—
That when their conscious fingers cease—
Some seek in Art—the Art of Peace— (P. 544)

An Honor Won Is a Promise of More

I have to say: this has been a summer of breathless beginnings. From teaching application essay writing to Native American students at CSU, to going to NJ and NYC for a family reunion, to going up to Aspen as a finalist in the Colorado book awards, this June has been singularly spectacular.

It's always pleasant to meet up with old friends, too, like I was able to at CSU. Sid is one such friend and she is an admissions rep at Smith College. And she loves my poetry! She is working on having me brought out to Smith to read. I must keep my fingers crossed on that!

There seems to be a wide expanse of time before me. I work everyday on writing projects, some for pay, some for grad school, some just for pleasure. It is as if I am floating on this infinite sea, being lifted and pulled and rocked all at once, drifting further from a settled shore. The further I drift, the more peaceful I feel.

Colorado Book Awards Finalist Reading

I am a Colorado Book Award finalist! I am so happy.  I don't think I will win; the other two women are such great poets. However, it is nice being in a finalist spot. I am reading this Friday night at Baur's Ristorante in Denver at 6:50 p.m. Baur's is located on 1512 Curtis St. My family and many friends are coming. Hope to see many of you there!

The actual awards ceremony will be on June 24th, in Aspen. We are planning on going, and staying in Carbondale with Sam and Pam in their cabin! I have a special place in my heart for Aspen, It was 28 years ago this coming September that my husband and I were married. We went horseback riding up to Maroon Bells for our honeymoon. I remember it rained softly and steadily as we rode through misty pine forests and up toward the red peaks of the Elk Mountain Range. Afterwards, we soaked in Bird's hot tub and stayed in her parent's pool house. We were so young!