News Flash! Two of My Poems Appear in the March 2015 issue of THE WAYFARER

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The Wayfarer: A Journal of Contemplative Literature is an unusually thoughtful publication, featuring contemporary work that cares about timeless values, work that is grounded but also transcendent.

Its next issue, to be published on March 21, 2015, will carry two poems of mine, “Black Swans” and “Easter Island”. I am very honored to appear in this magazine, and I am looking forward to reading the whole issue, cover to cover.(You can explore THE WAYFARER and HOMEBOUND PUBLICATIONS here, and you can pre-order print copies and electronic copies at a reduced price, if you are intrigued.)

The Wayfarer Spring 2015 cover

I was originally pointed to this publication by my friend, poet Sally Nacker, who published with them in March 2014 and gave a copy of that issue to me. (Regular readers will recall the post last May publishing Sally’s insightful and ravishingly illustrated letter to Amy Lowell called “Wings and Windows”.) I have been following The Wayfarer since and have been impressed with the quality of the work, as well as the beautiful presentation of poetry and prose. Most of all, I am attracted to emphasis on environmental stewardship that marries action to reflection. I respect their ambitious mission to use the power of the humanities to promote deep and abiding cultural change in human society: “The Wayfarer’s mission is to chart the way for change by building and empowering a community of contemplative voices.”

I also love the manner in which The Wayfarer combines evocative photography with text. Below are two photos of my own that reminded me of this lovely magazine: one is from the marina in Bayfield, Wisconsin ,on the edge our great inland sea of Lake Superior;  the other is of compass plant atop a rise in the McKnight Prairie near my Northfield home, a virgin remnant of the sea of grass.

Blue Boat Bayfield

Compass Plant

Wishing you well, Leslie

 

On Valentines

Valentine 14

Do you remember, as I do, how exciting a simple red heart was when it landed in that cardboard mailbox on your desk in primary school? The drama! Whether homemade or store-bought, plain or fancy, from someone you knew or someone you didn’t, signed or unsigned, nothing made St. Valentine’s Day sweeter than receiving lots and lots of heart-shaped, heart-felt communications.Val 4

I have never lost my taste for Valentines. I love to make them or buy them and send them even more than I love to receive them. This year, I was not ahead of the curve enough to make my own, but I will be next year. This year, this blog post will have to suffice. Homemade or not, I keep the ones I have received in the past and look at them each year afresh. Today, when the predictions of “wintry mix” came true,

Valentine 18

I am reveling, even more than usual, in the color and sheer extravagance of reds and pinks in February. I am also listening to one of my favorite CDs, “Valentine Collection” by Minnesota’s own Ann Reed, an assortment of sweet and bittersweet original songs sung in Reed’s chocolate-rich alto voice and accompanied by her accomplished playing of the twelve-string guitar. (Be sure to check out Reed’s website for fabulous facts and funny pix.)

Valentine Cover CD Ann Reed

Below is a kind of flip book of some Valentines that brighten our home this year. Keep those cards and letters (and comments!) coming!

Valentine 17

Val 2

Val 1

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Val 9

Val 8

Val 6

Valentine 16

Valentine 15

Wishing you love everywhere you look, Leslie