LIFELINES is a collection of poetry by Michele M. Graf, Margaret Fieland, Anne Westlund, Mary W. Jensen, Lin Neiswender, and Kristen Howe. If not for a power outage, this collection might never have been. Our poetry group formed during the Muse Online Writers Conference of October 2008, after a presenter was unable to connect for her final chat. In her absence, we shared our experiences and decided to continue meeting after the conference.
Our poems and purpose kept us afloat through the years. We became each other's Lifelines. LIFELINES plays off both meanings: those on the palm of our hand, as well as those linking us adrift. Our poems flow with the tides of the sea as they follow the ebb and flow of life itself. Childhood and friendship. Romance and loss. From death to new life and inspiration.
The first edition of our book was published by Inkspotter Publishing. It had been out of print but is now available as we got back our rights and published it ourselves through CreateSpace. It is available both in print and for Kindle.
Our poems and purpose kept us afloat through the years. We became each other's Lifelines. LIFELINES plays off both meanings: those on the palm of our hand, as well as those linking us adrift. Our poems flow with the tides of the sea as they follow the ebb and flow of life itself. Childhood and friendship. Romance and loss. From death to new life and inspiration.
The first edition of our book was published by Inkspotter Publishing. It had been out of print but is now available as we got back our rights and published it ourselves through CreateSpace. It is available both in print and for Kindle.
Excerpt
tide comes in, brings life
children play in the foam
each wave a new lesson
as we test the waters
children play in the foam
each wave a new lesson
as we test the waters
Yellow’s Blessing
Mary W. Jensen
a newborn, a new year
the dappled crescent of moon or banana
the sound of ribbons flapping in the breeze
curves and ruffles on an Easter dress
dancing in a field of sunflowers
the chime of bicycle bells
children jostling to ice cream truck tunes
the smell and burst of popcorn, luring the household
a trip to the salon for pedicure, massage
buttercream melting in my mouth
Mary W. Jensen
a newborn, a new year
the dappled crescent of moon or banana
the sound of ribbons flapping in the breeze
curves and ruffles on an Easter dress
dancing in a field of sunflowers
the chime of bicycle bells
children jostling to ice cream truck tunes
the smell and burst of popcorn, luring the household
a trip to the salon for pedicure, massage
buttercream melting in my mouth