I’m thrilled to be hosting today, as it’s almost my birthday, and I’m awaiting the arrival of The Poetry of US, J. Patrick Lewis’ newest anthology with National Geographic. It features poems about or set in diverse spaces around our country, and I have four poems in it! Whee! Both of Pat’s two prior NatGeo anthologies are among my favorite books ever–I was thrilled to be able to put a copy of his Book of Animal Poetry in my newly installed Little Free Library when I stocked it last weekend!
You’ve probably seen this book mentioned a zillion times recently as proud contributors showed off their copies. Well, due to a knucklehead move by me (not telling NatGeo about my recent move), I haven’t received my copy yet. It’s coming today, in fact! But I did get a quick peek when Joyce Sidman brought a copy to our critique group meeting earlier this week.
AND Matt Forrest Esenwine was kind enough to scan my poems and send them to me–thank you, Matt! So I wanted to share one with you today (and will share the others in coming weeks).
Northern Minnesota is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. When Pat requested a Minnesota poem, I had a delightful time writing several, but I was so glad he chose this one. It captures my feelings of being in nature, in the woods particularly (though seldom in a canoe, actually). Thank you, Pat! It’s an honor to be in this book, which I can’t wait to read! I look forward to reading contributions from so many poets whose work I just love.
Mr. Linky is rounding us up today, so please fill out the doohickey below to both leave your link and to check out all the other links you can explore. Thanks for being part of Poetry Friday, and I look forward to reading all of your posts throughout the weekend–mostly Sunday, as we are celebrating our niece’s birthday Friday and Saturday with Lily-palooza!
32 Responses
Such a gorgeous poem, Laura — love the “timbered view” — and congrats on so many in the book! (I’m beyond thrilled to have one — :0) ). HAPPY early birthday, and happy family celebrations all around this weekend.
Your poem is so beautiful, Laura, and captures that sense of serenity and awe that I cherish when I am out in nature. Congrats on having so many poems included in this beautiful book!
Ah yes–my kind of spiritual place. You’ve captured it perfectly in your silent canoe with timbered view. Congrats on four new poems in the world!
Such a lovely poem, Laura!! Congrats on having 4 poems in Pat’s new anthology!! Thanks for hosting this week and Happy Almost Birthday. Enjoy your weekend. 🙂
Wishing you a very happy birthday, Laura! Thank you for hosting! That’s a beautiful poem and photo spread.
Happy Birthday, almost! And, what a beautiful, beautiful poem. This book is a celebration of places and poets that I love!
Thanks for kicking off Poetry Friday on the eve of. I really enjoy getting started on reading the offerings. My poem this week is a kyrielle. I’m not the only one bitten by the kyrielle bug. Robin Hood Black and Amy LV have both shared them. I’ll bet there are more of us giving this beautiful form a try this week or soon.
Thank you for hosting. I always enjoy coming to your blog. Funny, if I type Lau…into my search engine…I end up here in a flash 😉
That makes my day, Linda!
This is definitely one of my favorites, Laura…glad you picked this one to share! Congratulations to Joyce, as well…it’s an honor to be in the book with both of you.
Congratulations on the new publication Laura. The joy never diminishes. Your poem and its connection to nature possesses a genuine sense of calm. Thanks for hosting Laura and Happy Birthday too!
Simply exquisite. We all got kayaks this year…and your poem is so true. Thank you for hosting and for being you. xxxx
Such a beautiful, meditative poem, Laura! I’m enjoying working my way through this collection and am looking forward to a few more poems of yours to savor.
Love your poem. Just beautiful!
The joy never diminishes . To see our words in print is special. Enjoyed your poem Laura. It possesses a serene quality. Happy Birthday too- and thank you for hosting.
Laura, congratulations on the four entries in Pat’s new poetry anthology. The poem you shared is such a beauty. The photo takes my breath away type of scene and the words you used in your poem draw me into the tranquil area you cherish.
Thanks for your gorgeous, reflective and meditative poem Laura–I’d like to climb right inside between the words and your pic. Congrats on all four poems, I look forward to reading them. Happy almost Birthday, and thanks for hosting the Roundup!
I LOVE your poem, Laura–so visual and soul embracing! I learned a lot about writing beautiful poetry just from reading it, which I have done over and over! Thank you for sharing and congratulations on it and your other three newly published poems! Happy soon-to-be Birthday!
Thank you, Suzanne–I’m honored. That’s how I learn the most about writing poetry, too!
Thanks for hosting, and for your gorgeous Minnesota poem!
Thanks for hosting and for your beautiful poem! That’s my kind of church!
My church, indeed! Beautiful, beautiful, Laura. Thank you. And you’re not the only one who hasn’t received a copy… we moved, too, and even though I gave a new address, it still got lost somehow! (I forgot what a pain moving can be, after 20 years in the same place.… all the more reason the world NEEDS this particular poem. 🙂
It’s lovely up in your neck of the woods! Your poem reflects it perfectly!
Congratulations! Thanks for hosting.
Oh Laura, I was in sacred land this summer at Arches. I love the canoe silently on the water. Church indeed.
LOVE this poem, Laura. Time in nature is sacred to me, too. Congrats on being in the anthology. I’m looking forward to seeing the book myself. Hope yours arrives soon!
Lovely poem, Laura! Congratulations!!!
Laura, I absolutely love the assonance in your poem! Like oars dipping in and out of water. Brilliant. I’ll add my “happy birthday” and “congrats” to the mix as well!
I absolutely love this poem!
Ooh, that’s a lovely one, Laura, and the photographic illustration is just the cherry on top.
I LOVE this poem! So small, so powerful—capturing something much bigger than itself!
That’s a beautiful poem Laura!
That is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it–and for hosting Poetry Friday. I’ve never been to Northern Minnesota, but spent quite a few vacations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Your poem reminds of there.
And congratulations on the new book!
I loved seeing this poem in the book. This one speaks to me as we have a canoe we take out onto the bayou. I love the idea of its sacred space, that the seat is a pew in a church. Yes! Yes!