February has brought to these parts/pages a lively awakening of language and new poetry. My hens are laying again, and the spinning wheels of winter writing practice are gaining traction and rolling. Or maybe it’s just that the kids are back at in-person school?
Whatever it is, I’ve noticed that this happens year after year– a winter of labored writing practice that, like childbirth (my births, anyways) doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for a long time. Until all of a sudden a door opens and a new creation bursts forth. I feel like I say this every spring. Well, it’s still true.
I spend so many hours, days, weeks, months waiting to see what might emerge from the quiet room. It has been a year like no other, and for most of it I felt as if I had nothing to say, and if I did, as if I couldn’t write it. But apparently, I could write something: a 30 page farewell letter to my kids in case I died as a nurse on the frontlines of the pandemic (one of my favorite and most failed projects because really there are no words for that), poems about the dry river and death (as usual), my daughter’s coming of age (same story, new season), and a series in which I explore a complicated and unexpected twist in my quest for a spiritual home. Oh, and a chapbook called Notes on the Recovery of Self From Childhood, which features a thief, animal guides, a sleep walking girl, dream interviews, and a book that does not need to be written because it is already written. See, there’s never a scarcity of material if you make everything your material!
When some of these poems came along, they surprised me in the same way I am surprised when I see my friends’ adolescent children after a long period apart. Who are these marvelous creatures I never imagined possible? And what are they talking about?
Well, we can find out tonight (Tuesday, Feb 16th), when I share a reading’s worth of them LIVE on you know where (see below). I will be joining poets Ken Hada and Donald Levering for a reading at 6pm mountain time. I’d love to see you.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87458210237?pwd=bUpQS00vc0I4NTlPTkhSUFFnWUk0UT09
Meeting ID: 874 5821 0237
Passcode: 695722
Kyce Bello 
2 am my time! You never know, my dear, could be a night like last night where we are up for no apparent reason…! I would love to assist in any case and if I m not there that means I am dreaming it! Love you, sistie
This sounds wonderful, Kyce. Sorry I did not get to ask you about it this morning. Thanks for your support, though. Hope skiing was amazing.
Sarah
Argh. That’s what I get for saving your post to read later. Would have loved to hear you read your work. I can’t wait to read it myself! And you have me wanting to pull up a chair and make tea and hear about your spiritual journey. ❤
I've been thinking about you and the loss of your grandmother. I'm at the age now where I realize our older women are treasures. I hope you are able to walk through this time with peace.
Sending love.
tonia