VIREO by Sally Nacker Published

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Leslie Schultz

It is a thrill and a privilege to watch as a new book takes shape. Last week, I was able to hold in my hands the first book by a long-time friend, poet Sally Nacker. It is beautiful inside and out.

Most of these poems were written in the last few years, while others began to take shape long ago. All share the same clear voice. Each surprises with its own music and insights.

(Regular Winona Media readers will recall–and might want to re-read–Sally’s lushly illustrated and sensitive letter to another poet, Amy Lowell, posted on May 23, 2014.) Sally will be reading at the Fairfield University MFA reception at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference on April 9, 2015 in Minneapolis. She will also be a featured poet at Kim Bridgford’s Poetry by the Sea conference in Madison, CT on May 26, 2015.

This lovely volume, Vireo, was published under the White Violet Press imprint of Kelsay Books. The cover art is an original watercolor by artist Kathy Michaud.(Scroll down for more on Kathy.) You can find Vireo for purchase at Amazon.

CONGRATULATIONS, SALLY!

Wishing you all well, Leslie

Post Card: March 2, 2015

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Leslie Schultz

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

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Leslie Schultz

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.)

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.