July 2016 - WyoPoets

http://www.wyopoets.org/news
Desert Solace by Stephen S. Lottridge
Wind-scoured grit, random scrub sage,
Desolation crimps the barren heart.
Then, meadowlark sings.
At this time of year
tomWYO, 082613
At this time of year begin to smile
so hot and humid, hard to walk a mile
but there is a special feel, makes it worthwhile
that feel of fall which draws a smile
Weeds grow oh so fast, can they really last
birds peck the ripening apples so fast
soon tree will began to turn, can see the mast
those sweltering days will be past
Frost, maybe a light snow, who can say
then the feel of Indian summer, like the way
cool the nights, warm the days.
eat an apple every day, no pay
Fall flowers in profusion, no conclusion
football and the confusion
thoughts of summer, a dying illusion
mug of hard cider, the conclusion
Spring, summer, fall and then winter
could we spread one, the last a splinter
but not by affirmation the dissenters
heck some still love the winter
At this time of year, all do smile and have good cheer
for the labors of summer are nearly gone, we cheer
some think of lolling with a good beer
but frown for they know what is near, show the fear?
WyoPoets Unveil Labyrinth
Wyoming Poet Laureate, Rose Hill, unveiled WyoPoets newest
chapbook, Labyrinth, on April 22 at the annual Spring Workshop. Poems
were selected by Hill, and many Wyoming Writers members are included.
Copies are available from Lee Ann Siebken, PO Box 155, Douglas, WY
82633. Cost is $8, plus $3 shipping for first copy and $1 for each additional
copy. Find ordering information for this chapbook and older ones at
www.wyopoets.org/chapbooks.html.
Linda Hasselstrom guided the 2016 workshop of information, knowledge, and wisdom, walked WyoPoets attendees
through “Gates” and “Abandoned Farmhouses” and worked them through a series of questions and writing challenges
on April 22nd in Riverton, WY. She asked questions: does the title set the tone, give away the end? What do you keep?
Is the poem about the person or the person speaking? For whom is the poem written? Do you need to tell all/poetic
truth? What is the poem doing? How does it sound when read aloud? Make each word prove it's the one you want.
She challenged attendees to think about: time frame; use of pronouns, adverbs, gerunds, stronger
words for endings; punctuation or not; heightening the “aha” moment; clarity/accessibility; the
emotional risk/impact; metaphors/similes; and overall use of language as poetic voice. She suggested
beginning a poem as an essay, a piece of prose, then moving paragraphs and eventually stanzas around;
she said not to worry about the end until you get there.
Art Elser reported, “I think this workshop was a real winner for our members. Linda was a great
choice as presenter. The chapbook readings on Friday night were wonderful, and the library was a
good venue. And despite of the renovation in the Holiday Inn, the workshop went off without a hitch.”
WYOPOETS
To join WyoPoets or to renew your membership:
Name: _____________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
Summer 2016 Edition
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2016 WyoPoets Reading
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(** Iindividuals through age 18, and college students enrolled in a degree or certification program through an accredited educational institution.)
Year of Membership: _________________ (Year = July 1st to June 30th)
Carol Deering hosted reading
at Riverton’s Public Library
The
Pinedale
Contingency
Jocelyn Moore
& Cork Kelly
with Linda
Hasselstrom
Wyoming Poets Laureate
clown for photographer
Is this a gift for someone? _____________ Anonymous Gift? ___________
I wish to donate $ ________________ to the WyoPoets Scholarship Fund
send to: art elser, wyoPoets treasurer, 1730 Locust street, denver, Colorado 80220
Please make checks payable to WyoPoets.
____________________________________________ 12 _______________________________________________
Linda Ruhle & Berta Mills
represent Worland
(l-r)Shanna Ferguson,
Abbie Taylor, and Katie Smith
shared their winning poems
at the reading on Friday.
Longtime members and friends
share the joy of being together
See pg 3 for more conference photos
WyoPoets’ Officers
& Committees
President: Myra L. Peak
Box 404 2200 Mississippi Street
Green River, WY 82935
[email protected]
Past President: Abbie Taylor
352 West Whitney St.
Sheridan, WY 82801
[email protected]
Vice President: Karen Heath
PO Box 253
Medicine Bow, WY 82329
[email protected]
Secretary / Newsletter:
Echo Klaproth
12233 Hwy 789 #64
Shoshoni, WY 82649
[email protected]
Chris Valentine
Newsletter Editor
Treasurer: Arthur Elser
1730 Locust Street
Denver, CO 80220
[email protected]
Historians:
Cindy Bower
1351 S. Pennsylvania
Casper, Wy 82609
----------Nancy Gerlock
736 East 16th Street
Casper, WY 82601
Eugene Shea Nat'l Contest:
Susan Mark & Art Elser
Strophes:
LeeAnn Siebken
Website Manager:
Susan V. Mark
Soft, soft voice
suckles a frail ego.
--Myra Peak
Call for Submissions
From the Peak
My congratulations to all involved with our April workshop. Katie
Smith did a great job of corralling all of us. Linda Hasselstrom, our
presenter, sent us home with new ideas and new material. The Holiday
Inn responded to our needs in the midst of their remodeling. I especially
liked the enhanced lighting. Katie led, her followers followed, and all of
us participated. When I am offered good luck, I sometimes respond that I
need good cooperation instead of luck. Cooperation was a key to a
successful workshop. Thank you all.
We have a new vice president, Karen Heath, from Elk Mountain. I’m
excited since it means that I hope I get to think less and write more. Look
for more about her in this newsletter.
Also look for more about our April 2017 workshop in Buffalo in the
next newsletter. Tom Spence and the Buffalo group, Writers Ink, are
spearheading the conference. They have already secured some funding. It
promises to be another wonderful workshop.
I have been thinking about thinking as I’ve tried to meet our newsletter
deadline with Echo’s patience. I’ve worked on two rail spurs, a sewer
plant, an oilfield waste facility, and a picnic grounds (not picnicking) in a
week. My mind is a blur. How can thinking be so tiring, so difficult, so
physically relieving when a complicated process is complete, or so much
easier when another person contributes. I also wonder why some thoughts
are easier, such as finding fault, mistakes, or poor conditions. I have an
exercise in some classes which involves students using a set of work
photos. They have to find 20 good things and then 20 bad things. They
have to find (and record) the good things first – ahh, the groans – but they
follow my lead. As a writer, how can I tap into the “easier” approaches
and use it in poetry? I can:
1. List my neighbors’ complaints. I don’t put enough fertilizer on my yard,
I should feed the birds, or I should tell him how old I am.
2. Compare bad drivers’ habits – the one who follows too closely and
repeatedly on the exit into town or the too fast driver who must be late to
work or cuts into traffic at the shiny new 80 mph section.
3. Redesign other people’s appearances – the man who is sure that his
comb-over is attractive or the blush applied as a half V without a mirror or
the too short shorts on girls and hangey down pants on boys. My mother
continually commented on appearances, but she could never give up on it
somehow thinking that they would change. At least I can park the
emotional baggage.
4. Compare people’s skills. The baggers at the grocery store come to
mind, and there seem to be no good ones – just those who are doomed to
crush my bread and berries versus those who insist on not putting drink
containers in sacks. I’m sure that none of them carry their own groceries
into their abodes. After spending half an hour thinking as I maneuver
through the store, I have to spend another five minutes negotiating with
the baggers and defending my food.
5. Compare young and old, winter to summer, wind to no wind. I might
have to take a trip to Florida to find the last.
6. Find fault with the misbehaving dogs in my life and translate the poem
to reflect their owners.
When you have writers’ block or writers’ slowdown, go ahead and
think the easy way out. Aren’t we supposed to use every tool in our boxes?
My Best,Myra
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DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2016
Blood, Water, Wind, and Stone
A Wyoming Themed Anthology
Sastrugi Press and editor Lori Howe invite your
submission of up to three poems of any length, and
fiction, non-fiction, and outdoor writing pieces of up to
4,000 words, to be considered for publication.
We seek writing for this anthology that gets at the
heart of life in this wild and beautiful state, and which
offers readers a lens as unique and authentic as daily life
in the mountains, towns, and on the high plains we call
home. There are no reading or submission fees required
for consideration of your work for this anthology. Simply
send up to three unpublished poems, or fiction or nonfiction pieces up to 4,000 words, to editor Lori Howe at
[email protected] by 11:59pm on July 15, 2016.
Electronic submissions only. Please attach your
submission as a Word document; please DO NOT COPY
AND PASTE SUBMISSIONS INTO THE BODY OF
EMAILS.
Pieces previously published in journals will be
considered, provided author retains rights and supplies
full attribution information for previous publication of
materials. Authors may submit work from more than one
genre.
Payment: 1 copy per author selected; additional copies
may be purchased at an author discount. Additionally,
20% of sales from this anthology will be donated to help
fund scholarships to the Wyoming Writers, Inc. and
Jackson Hole Writers conferences.
Details: We seek Wyoming-centric writing by
Wyoming writers for this anthology. We do not invite:
hate speech of any kind; erotica; full-length manuscripts;
rhyming poetry; writing by or for children; pieces
previously published as part of full-length manuscripts.
Notifications will be sent via email prior to September
15, 2016. The release date for Blood, Water, Wind, and
Stone is scheduled for mid-November, 2016, by Sastrugi
Press.
To receive frequent contest information:
[email protected]
If you have a website or blog that's not
listed, please contact webmaster
Susan Mark at:
[email protected]
with the link and we'll get it posted.
WRITERS GROUPS
Schedules for 2016
BUFFALO: Writers' Ink meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
at 4 p.m., at the Occidental Hotel. For more information,
contact Margaret Smith at [email protected].
CASPER: The Casper Group meets the 2nd Wednesday
night of each month 7 p.m. All genres welcome. For
more information, contact Neva Bodin at
[email protected] or Gayle Irwin at
[email protected].
GILLETTE: Prairie Pens meets monthly except
December, third Saturday at 1:00 at Campbell County
Public Library. We welcome writers to join, although we
ask that they just listen and learn what we do and how we
do it for a couple of meetings.
JACKSON: Writers Group meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
of each month. 6:30-8:30 pm, in the conference room at
the Center for the Arts. All genres welcome. For more
information contact Linda Hazen
[email protected].
RIVERTON: Westword Writers, Fremont County, meet
on 2nd Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in the Riverton
Public Library and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30.
Visitors are welcome as are all genres. For information,
email Teri Wiblemo: [email protected].
ROCK SPRINGS: The Sweetwater County Writers’
Group meets every other Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
in the Meadow Room of Hay Library on the Rock
Springs campus of Western Wyoming Community
College. Contact Dianna Renz or Dave Polhamus
(307-371-2478) to confirm upcoming dates.
SHERIDAN: Range Writers meet on the second
Saturday of the month 1:00 p.m at the Sheridan County
Fulmer Library. Contact person: Rose Hill at
[email protected]. And 3rd Thursday Poets meet on the
3rd Thursday of each month at the Senior Center from
2-4 p.m. For more information, contact: Abbie Taylor at
307-752-0033 or [email protected].
SUNDANCE: Bearlodge Writers, Sundance, is open to
all who are serious about learning the craft of writing,
whether they're beginners or published authors. This
multi-genre critique group meets on the first Tuesday (11
a.m. until about 3 p.m.) and on the third Tuesday (5 p.m.
until about 8 p.m.) of each month at the Crook County
Public Library. Email Andi Hummel at
[email protected].
Want to be a featured WyoPoet?
Send your bio and poems
Attn: Echo @
[email protected]
______________________________________________ 11 _______________________________________________
Google Drive / cont. from pg 9
WyoPoets Conference:
A Time for Soaking Up Information,
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Camaraderie
So your Google Drive might have files of letters or notes to yourself and folders for poetry, recipes, invoices,
correspondence, submissions to contests, etc. As many file and folders as you want, as long as you don’t exceed the
storage capacity allowed. The first 15 Gb of storage is free and then you can pay for extra space if you need it. You
might need it to store your music and photos, for example. That works nicely as a backup to your hard drive in case of
a crash that destroys all your files.
As you create and save a new file in one of the folders on Google Drive, that file is automatically added to the Google
Drive in the Cloud. You don’t have to do anything. It is all automatic.
Attendees work studiously at WyoPoets 2016 Workshop in Riverton
So now you ask, “I already have a hard drive that I back up my files on. What is the advantage of using Google
Drive?” Let’s say you Fly to Aunt Sally’s house back in Missouri and want to show her a new poem about her you
wrote last week, but you don’t have your laptop. You can use her computer to show her that poem. Open a browser
window, type in Google Drive, sign in with your password into your own Google Drive, and there are all your files.
You can also access your files from your smart phone.
So Google Drive provides the security of an automatic backup and access to your files from anywhere, even if you
don’t have your computer with you. And you can share files and folders, too. For instance, a family could create a
Google Drive folder and all save files to and access files from there. For WyoPoets it means the organization can save
needed files from year to year to share with the next volunteer as needed.
HOW TO WRITE A SEVEN-WORD POEM
by Abbie Johnson Taylor
When I attended poet Lori Howe's first workshop at
the Wyoming Writers conference this year, I thought
she wanted us to write a poem containing only seven
words. I was chagrined at first until I remembered
Ernest Hemmingway’s six-word story: “For sale,
baby shoes, never used.” To my relief, I was
mistaken about what Lori Howe wanted us to do.
Here’s her exercise. I encourage you all to try this.
Think of a moment in your life. It can be anything: a
happy or scary moment, an event that made you
angry. When you come up with something, free
write about it for at least ten minutes. Then choose
at least seven words from the list below to use in
your poem. Thanks to Lori Howe for agreeing to let
me use her word list and one of her examples.
Words: rain, willow, note, shoe, sail, road, scissor,
mountain, plant, steam, sign, cranberry, stone, earth,
brand, cedar, wreath, snake, clay, pot, finger, wine,
mirror, jingle, crash, fish, russet, feather, gleam,
glow, polish, drink, sleep, walk, paint, pan, fire,
crack, jar, sing, ash, thunder, brick, flame, soak,
weave, slick, mussel, pine, fathom, tire, heat, monk,
breath, ski, sky, cloud, trail, window, shade, herb,
page, lace, spider, swan, surface, dive, cackle, leave,
crust, smoke, coat, gather, dream, sand, chill, fog,
bridge, silver, ice, draw, cover, portrait, shine, plain,
prairie, glass, count, oyster, ruby, ocean, slate,
granite, pearl, wrist, marble, clementine
You can use any form of these words. For
example, instead of "rain," you could say
"raining." If your poem ends up having more than
one cranberry, that's acceptable. You may not be
able to find seven words from this list you can use
in your poem, but try to use as many as you can.
After you've revised your poem, why not email it
to Echo Klaproth at [email protected]
for inclusion in our next newsletter. I plan to do
just that. Even if you don’t submit a finished
product anywhere, I hope this will be a fun
exercise for you and your writers’ group.
Here’s one poem Lori Howe provided as an
example:
Aunt
her face a cracked ochre jar.
arms willow lashes in rain.
Aunt would sing to me
where I sat like a shoe by her bed.
playing bridge.
a song of sail and cranberry bog.
notes still hang in the vacant air
like sand left over from summer.
like fish crashing against each other
in a space too small to dive
Shanna Ferguson soaks up
Rose Hill's expertise.
Nancy Gerlock, Barb Smith, & Nancy Lee talk finer points
of writing, or something equally magnanimous.
MEMBER NEWS
Mary Jo McGuire, shared her winning poem
from Eugene V. Shea National Poetry Contest
Cindy Jacelyn & Angel enjoy
the book table together.
1st timers: Trish Vazquez &
Nancy Lee get acquainted.
Members' News
Carol Deering had 3 poems online in Bindweed
Magazine, for May: “Tripping the Light Fantastic,”
“Reminiscence,” and “In the Night Forest.”
Christine Valentine, Sheridan, WY, won 2nd in the
Ohio Award Contest with “Early morning haibun”,
and her poem “the blessing of tubes” won the 6HM
in the NFSPS WyoPoets’ Contest.
To our members: Some of us subscribe to the
Creative Writing Opportunities list (CRWROPPS)
which is sent daily and has many places listed to
which you can submit your work either for a contest
or publication. If you wish to subscribe:
[email protected]
_______________________________________________
__ 10 ______________________________________________
Mother & daughter team up,
Janet & Christina Kamnicar
NFSPS WYOPOETS’ CONTEST
(160 entries)
Judge: Brenda B. Finnegan, Ocean Springs MS
1st: Budd Powell Mahan, Dallas TX
“Elk Lake: Summer 1966”
2nd: Jon Sebba, Murray TX
“Flash Flood”
3rd : Marilyn Stacy, Dallas TX
“When Solutions are Not Simple”
1HM Coleen Ward, Melbourne FL
2HM Anita M. Krotz, Salt Lake City UT
3HM Robert Schinzel, Highland Village TX
4HM Meredith R. Cook, Blue Earth MN
5HM M.P.A. Sheaffer, New York NY
6HM Christine Valentine, Birney MT
7HM Francie Smith Rountree, Marana
7HM Laura J. Bobrow, Leesburg VA
______________________________________________ 3 _______________________________________________
WyoPoets’ Business Meeting ~ April 23, 2016 ~ Holiday Inn ~ Riverton, WY
1. President, Myra Peak called the annual business meeting to order at 8:45 with 19 members present.
2. Secretary’s Report: A motion to accept June’s minutes and item 8 as recorded was made by Abbie Taylor; 2nd by Katie
Smith; motion accepted. Additional report of secretary: President re-appointed Echo Klaproth and Chris Valentine as editor
and assistant.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Art Elser reported on profit and loss statement, noting that we make money every year, mainly from
chapbook sales and growing membership; he said every activity enhances our budget. For planning, evaluating purposes, Art
has set a high standard. Aaron Holst moved the report be accepted as is, Pat Frolander seconded; motion was accepted.
4. Historians’ Report: Nancy Gerlock reported (Cynthia Bower was not present), thanked membership for their contributions
throughout the year, said they are planning a day in June to get caught up 2014 and 2015 updates; 2016 is now open. LeaAnn
Siebken gave her a large collection of past newsletters for the archives; Rose Hill has contributions to add as well. Tom
Spence talked about how WWI has found a way to digitally store information through UW and Christine Williams; a
discussion about how members might have access to these records at some point in time and storing newsletters followed.
Nancy and Cindy were re-appointed as historians.
5. Strophes Discussion: Lee Ann Siebken was reappointed as our Strophes correspondent. She and Myra explained what
Strophes is, how it serves our membership; Lee Ann contributes information to the national newsletter every time; another
reason for our success; she keeps those archived in her computer.
6. Eugene V. Shea National Poetry Contest Report: Art Elser and Chris Valentine -- Art reported we made a wee bit of
money on it; Colorado’s poet laureate was the judge, and he spoke highly of the submissions; the winner, Mary Jo Maguire,
was present to celebrate with us all. Myra spoke about the publicity we gain, the members, how it keeps our name out there.
Susan V. Mark volunteered to serve as the chair of this contest for 2017; Art Elser volunteered to assist her.
7. Chapbook 2016 Report: Nancy Curtis and LeeAnn Siebken gave a written report that is only an anticipated report; 150
books were printed, 25 were given to the contributors, 60 copies are a break-even point after which comes profit. It started as a
25 month project: plan, submit to the board, poems too long were dismissed, guidelines were stressed; Rose Hill was the
judge; new people entered this year, wonderful resource, and it too helps us accumulate members. Carol Deering helped by
sending out news releases in each community where a participant lives. People volunteered to take winners’ chapbook copy
home to them. Susan reminded us all to submit all our info to her for the website and FB. Suggested contacting libraries and
colleges. Need 2 volunteers for chapbook 2017 for 2018 book: Rose Hill, Chair, Karen Heath, and Susan Mark will publish
with their desktop publishing skills.
8. Members-Only Contest: Appointed Chris Valentine and Aaron Holst as co-chairs for this committee.
9. Newsletter: Reappointment of Echo Klaproth as newsletter editor and Chris Valentine assistant newsletter editor.
10. Webmaster: Susan V. Mark is the current Webmaster. LeeAnn reports that she uses the website every time for the
Strophes contributions. Susan invites more conversation and news. Myra thanked Susan for her work which also brings us
attention.
11. President’s report: applause for Katie’s work with 2016 Workshop. President said she’s working on: standing rules again
and list of president’s duties. With a vice president, this may be easier for the president to achieve; a business plan; contacting
each member, still trying to make that happen. She suggests that a good repository for all of this info will be Google Drive on
the organizational account. (See pg 9 & 10 for how this can happen.)
12. Nominations and Elections: For all positions, nominations from the floor were accepted before the vote. Following are
those who have volunteered to run for election: President, Myra L. Peak; Vice President, Karen Heath; Treasurer, Art Elser;
Secretary, Echo Klaproth; Abbie Taylor will continue in her position of immediate past president if Myra is elected to
president for another term. Otherwise, Myra will become the past president. Pat made motion, Tom seconded that we accept
this floor of nominations; accepted by vote.
13. Old Business/Memorial Fund: it was suggested that the Memorial Fund be re-named the Arnetta Baugh Memorial Fund in
recognition of long-term member who passed; Aaron moved, Abbie 2nd, Myra thanked us all for contributions over the years.
14. New Business: Discussion of student fees. Myra wants to formalize ½ price for dues, ½ price for workshop fees; Nancy
Curtis made the motion; Rose Hill 2nd, great idea, motion carried; Echo is to make change on membership form.
15. 2017 Workshop Proposal by Writers Ink, Buffalo: Tom Spence spoke to group about proceeding with preliminaries in
Buffalo, facility, travel/honorarium/housing for the workshop; Johnson County Humanities supporting this, as is Occidental
Hotel in downtown Buffalo by offering room rate and lunch; Museum right up the street will provide a special tour for
members; Sheridan College is offering the space to hold the meetings or the new library will be available for the conference.
Cindy Jacelyn will serve as boots on the ground/Chair. Pat Frolander moved, Karen Heath 2nd. David Mason is the potential
faculty/presenter.
16. Excellence Awards at noon
17. Motion to adjourn @ 9:40
_________________________________________________ 4 ________________________________________________________
What is Google Drive and How Do I Use it? By Art Elser & Susan Mark
Google Drive is a place you can store files in the Cloud. Ah, you ask, “What is the Cloud?” The Cloud is just a
fancy way of saying the internet. Think of Google Drive as a warehouse full of disk drives connected to computers
that are connected to the internet. When you store files on Google Drive you are storing your files in that
warehouse using the internet to send them there and to access them. Actually there are many warehouses all over
the world that Google Drive uses to store files.
"Do I have to buy Google Drive?" No, you just download the app from your browser by typing in Google Drive
and then looking for the link to click to download it. Create your own Google Drive that is password protected.
Click Sign In to open it.
So, you now ask, “How do I use Google Drive?” OK. First, you create a folder on your computer’s hard drive
called “Google Drive.” Then you put all the files and folder you want to store out in the Cloud in Google Drive
into that folder.
Cont. on pg 10
_____________________________________________ 9 _______________________________________________
There’s Something
(A Found Poem from WWI Conference 2016)
Purple Sage by Jim Rolf
Writing is your job: a responsibility,
a burden, a privilege, and a sacred calling.
It’s that something in the middle of the night
that wakes you, sits on the foot of your bed,
articulates, “There’s something
I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
When daylight’s dimmed and the workday’s done
My pinto roams free toward the new-setting sun.
Her reins hanging loose, she moves steady and slow
Among sites where soft campfires are starting to glow.
The substance of this calling is storytelling –
looking to the consciousness of a character
living out the something and all the nuances
that a scene entails: conflict, consequences.
The burden is to portray the “private diamonds”
of the story with language that’s real for you.
There’s something important in every story:
your burden is to focus on how to capture it
using your literary assets, strengths, and resources;
see possibilities, probabilities, the responsibility;
planning and strategizing the 5 “R”s:
readers, reviews, ratings, recommendations, rankings.
And finally, a writer must recognize that something
beyond rhyme comes with the art of ending.
As you work to make each word stand on its own,
not wanting the end to drag, you choose
to encapsulate language that helps a reader feel –
it’s a privilege to leave an impact with a living story,
to write that something you’ve been called to tell.
The horse knows the way; hears the clear bunkhouse call
Of an oat bag awaiting beside a warm stall.
She crosses the prairie, soft-footed and true
While the desert night sounds waft nostalgic and blue.
Year-End Totals in WyoPoets accounts:
Checking: $7,409.18
Memorial: $875.78
Savings:
$3,312.16
Total in Bank Accounts: $11,597,12
Major Revenues and Expenses for the fiscal year:
An antelope darts ‘neath the now-rising moon
And a prairie dog chatters his soft desert tune.
The shadows now deepen as dusk comes of age
And dark shades of lavender color the sage.
Dues collected: $1,880.00
Dues paid to NFSPS: $261.00
NFSPS National Contest Awards: $60.00
A tumbleweed brushes our feet as we ride
Past a jackrabbit seeking a safe place to hide.
The sun’s now departed. I picture anew
An ocean of sage with a deep purple hue.
Eugene Shea National Contest Entry Fees: $393.00
Eugene V. Shea National Contest Expenses: $275.00
Contest financial result: +$118.00
Between the horizons, north to south, east to west
Lie miles of baked earth nature puts to her test.
Sage roots drink from moisture that lies ‘neath the sand,
Breaking loose to ride wind gusts across barren land.
Workshop registrations and Grant: $2455.00
Workshop expenses: $2867.49
Workshop financial result: -$412.49
While me and my horse seek a roof and a bed
Desert creatures drift nearby and over our head
Moving free as that breeze man can never assuage
And I welcome the peace of the vast purple sage.
Chapbook sales: $668.80
Chapbook expenses: $442.41
Chapbook financial result: +$226.39
© Echo 6/2016
===========================
Treasurer's Report for Fiscal Year
Newsletter Expenses: $842.45
Net Income for year: $649.85
A Rose by Dave Polhamus
DUE DATE
Brought to you as a gift—
on a whim, spontaneous.
2016 Chapbook Report – Labyrinth
My Mom's cloth bag, a partial finished
piece of tatting, even the silver shuttle
Your eyes dilate, your cheeks pinken,
and your face smiles in surprise.
Expenses: printing $326.41; shipping $46.00; artwork
$20.00; juror $50.00 = $442.41
stuffed in the bag for maybe forty
or fifty years, waiting,
A girl’s best friend may be a diamond,
but a close second is a rose.
for who? A daughter, me,
a grandchild, aunt, cousin, friend?
Delicate dark red—sensuous, and nestled
in a sprinkle of snowy baby’s breath;
Expiration date stamped on the bag
or the shuttle? Will the thread rot?
in deep green ferns forested,
and with its signature aroma.
by Gail Denham from "Dancin' Thru' Puddles", 2010
Like a poem on a leafy stem,
an office rose charms the senses.
“One benefit of Summer
was that each day we had
more light to read by.”
Your shared joy brings chirps
from co-workers’ delight.
A quick peck and hug
serve as a silent thank you.
― Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
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Anticipated Income: 150 copes @ $8 – 25 contributor
copies = 125 copies to sell; if all sell = $1,000 income
minus the expense would leave about $558 profit.
Breakeven is about 60 copies.
Summer Musings
By Trish Vazquez
The late afternoon shadows linger,
as do our memories of summers
gone by.
The distant echoes of waves
crashing on the shoreline,
the longing call of seabirds
dancing at sea’s edge..
Swimming til high tide,
watching craggy rocks disappear,
they await the morning tide
their secrets to reveal.
Riding the waves
as dolphins do,
swimming too deep,
and feeling the fool.
The white glare of the sun
plays folly with our eyes
blinding illusions
of fantasy and guise.
Endless summers of youthful
joy and reckless fun,
moments of giggles
as lifeguards look on.
Burning skin and salty lips,
crinkley toes and sandy suits,
orange hues of glowing waves,
endless summers and endless days.
As the shadows of summer’s day
fade into night,
the warmth of the sun
and remembrance hold tight.
A Summer Morning's Gift
by Art Elser
“Come with me,' Mom says.
To the library.
Books and summertime
go together.”
― Lisa Schroeder
I Heart You, You Haunt Me
From the shade of a tree, I look
into the green, sun-filled yard.
I'm stunned by four translucent wings
and a body lightly brushed with gold.
A passing dragonfly quietly hovers,
A gift from God, haloed by the sun.
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“It's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine ... it's summertime!” ― Kenny Chesney
Smoke Eaters by Dave Polhamus
Secular
As timber fallers, not our first fire;
several of us at 10, some at 15 seasons.
In the larder
sunday beef
a bowl of plums with
blue bloom of ripeness
a savoy cabbage
wrinkles waiting for the knife.
Into a steep road-less area
an empty fire hose is strung down,
the top end knotted off around a stump.
Like a spider on a strand;
down the hose, off a ledge we each rappel. Carefully!
Water canteens, chainsaws, axes, gas and oil cans—
each of us, our “skid lid” lashed tight to our head.
Scruffy grey smoke scours eyes and throats.
Mouths are dry, foreheads wet;
yellow fire resistant clothing
now smudged black.
From a radio harnessed to a chest,
a systematic conversation crackles.
Scattered below, tall torched pines
cook and flare;
snap and pop from intense heat.
“Wrap, wrap, wrap, wrap,” a large Chinook helicopter
trolling a giant water bucket floats
in the distance overhead.
Our mission: fell Roman candle trees—hot spots.
Tribute to a Newborn Baby by Berta Mills
(Dedicated to all my grandchildren, and
to every newborn baby, with love.)
You have come in the wings of the music of love
Sung by people who waited for you.
Your miraculous presence
Wrapped in beauty and enchantment
From the most tender dreams
That two people could forge –
You have come
Bringing us in your person
The mysteries of hope
To brighten up our future.
You are the message of love,
You are the promise of peace,
You are the song that I’ll sing
When all music is gone.
You’re the blessing of God,
You’re unique
And I’m glad you’ve arrived – just in time!
Welcome, Child, to your home!
Welcome, Child, to my life!
Welcome, Child, to the World!
At eleven music pours
from each house
into the street
The Beatles
Caruso
Percy Faith
mums whistling while
peeling potatoes
dads digging in the garden
pint bottle resting on upturned bucket.
At twelve steam condenses
runs down the window
cabbage reeks
beef crackles and spits
while drippings are poured into a pan
and batter added
that will rise like a mountain
to salute Yorkshire.
At two dishes are washed
then afterwards
upstairs
for the all-important
Sunday nap.
© C. Valentine
Costa Rica By Mark Hudson
(Source: Costa Rica’s Big Idea; BBC Wildlife; page 93)
AGING by Colleen Purves
In a humid rainforest moistened by Pacific currents;
thousands of creatures struggle for endurance.
Trying to protect Costa Rica’s biological corridors;
the diversity of nature here encourages eco-tours.
The butterflies in Costa Rica are utterly unique;
with reptiles and amphibians for visitors to seek.
The Neotropical river otter surfaces above water,
scientists try to prevent animals there from slaughter.
They have a jaguar-conservation program working,
hoping that jaguars in jungles will always be lurking.
The quicker the coastal mangrove forests start to shrink,
the more that human pollution and trash begins to stink.
Costa Rica is one of the few places left on the planet,
where rainforests are wild; not covered with granite.
If only the rest of the world knew we need biodiversity;
they wouldn’t destroy trees for books for universities.
Nature would become a reversible thing to recover,
the whole world a rainforest to discover.
If everybody just planted at least one tree,
would nature replenish itself, for all to see?
In Costa Rica, they’re making progress well,
if they can save the rainforests, only time will tell.
Like a butterfly soaring above the green forests,
we must protect the natural world, as if we all were florists.
Our cells explode
we fit the mold
as we grapple with seniority...
It's not 'old age'
you understand
it's testing our maturity.
Our knees may bend
when least expected
age-old memories resurrected...
We're on a path
of no return
our thoughts become
more taciturn,
but joy in the morning
and peace at night
dissolve and banish every fright.
After the Summer Solstice
by Art Elser
The Sun, ever proud parent, wanting to display
the beauty of Earth, his treasured, spoiled child,
bathes it in his light. Earth thrives in the warmth
of his light, bearing flowers, fruit, nurturing
new-born creatures. He wants man to revel
in that plentitude, so each day the light hides
Summer’s Glory
By Trish Vazquez
Dandelions softly floating through the air
catching the sun’s morning light.
The sound of lawnmowers
the meadowlark’s song
a horse’s soft whinny
the buzzing of bees.
The scent of sweet honeysuckle
yellowing grasses in the breeze
the glint of dragonflies peering suspiciously.
Summer’s delights.
his other children, The planets, Venus, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Earth's Moon, the starry river
of the Milky Way, Orion, and Scorpio's red eye,
the nightly shuffle of the Great Bear, the glorious
infinity of the galaxy-filled Universe. And Earth,
fickle child, soon tires of light and slowly leans
into winter's darkness and magnificent night sky.
sun slides behind
filigreed bands of clouds
wind river sunset
by Art Elser
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Wyoming Summer By Jim Rolf
A day in June is rare, they say;
More perfect than an average day.
The poetry of Russell Lowell
Says summer stirs his very soul
But, I would like to share with you
The kind of Junes that I’ve been through.
Here on the plains, where strong winds blow,
We often have a summer snow
And dust storms seem to swarm a lot
On arid days when it’s harsh and hot.
The deer that play in poem and song
Head for the hills when June comes along.
Green grass turns brown and the air gets dry,
The sun burns hot in a cloudless sky,
And comforting shade’s a rarity
‘Cause you can hardly ever find a tree.
No songbirds sing in this dry land
Or fly above the desert sand.
There are no maple, oak, or birch
Upon whose boughs those birds might perch
And yet, on a summer Cheyenne day
When I go out to work or play
I look at the sky, so deep and blue
And the mountains encased in a purple hue
And I thank the Lord for the open space
Where He sat me down with godly grace.
I welcome the high desert’s wonderous kiss
For nothing could ever be rarer than this.
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