Always cause for celebration at my house is the biannual publication of The Orchards Poetry Journal. Yesterday, the Summer 2023 issue was released! I am so happy that it contains a poem of mine inspired by the garden Tim, Julia, and I have been making for nearly three decades here in Northfield. The poem, “Consanquinity,” (found on page 77) highlights red flowers and features an ancient pollinator, the little, green-headed sweat bee, Halictidae, the second largest family of bees with more than 4,500 separate species. Above is a photo of said bee in said garden; below, a few others from recent years.

This journal is generously available for free digital download; paper copies can be purchased at Kelsay Books website or on Amazon. It is definitely worth a look. You’ll find your own favorites, of course. A few of mine include,

*Featured Poet Rebecca Brock’s poem, “A Friend Texted to Interrupt This Poem” (page 26);

*Adina Polatsek’s poem,” Houston,” (page 49); and

*B.R. Strahan’s poem, “At Random,” (page 102).

Thanks for reading this! Happy Summer!

LESLIE