Wild Edges: Manzanita Poetry and Prose

In Monday’s blog, I wrote about the Manzanita Writers Press book launch celebration for Wild Edges:  Manzanita Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra, Volumne 6, published by Manzanita Writers Press.  Now, let me tell you about the volume itself.

Editor, Monika Rose, gives a lovely introduction to Wild Edges, calling it “a collective voice and vision that resonates through the hills, meadows, and canyons, sifted by stand of pine, redwood, and oak groves, veined by the myriad movng waters, and grounded by the stone and soil of this region.”

She continues, “The reader becomes more than a listener–more like a sluice, sorting through words to find gold nuggets to take away and redeem in secret.”

As you sort through the poetry, prose, art, and photography in this well-put-together volume, you may pick your favorites, as I have, and then as you read on, you may pick additional favorites.  This is a book meant to be read and savored again and again.

My favorites?

1. “End of the Road,” by Jim Lanier.  Tongue-in-cheek prose about living in the outskirts of Murphys, California, where there are no county water pipes and sewer lines, no UPS deliveriess or GPS coordinates, and no Internet or cell phone coverage.  “To say life is simpler here doesn’t quite tell the story,” he says.  Nice stuff.
2. “Frame of Life,” by Elizabeth Parrrish.  Next time I have a poem to read aloud, I want Elizabeth to do it for me.  She makes poetry come alive in a way I appreciate and envy.  Her poem is about Esmeralda, who wants to know how to frame her life.  “Does it have gold borders or silver?  Is it copper or burnished bronze?” (Lines 2 and 3)  A lovely poem I can connect with and will read again.
3. “Touch of Gossamer,” by Marie Ross.  This is one of the shortest poems in the volume, but will touch you just the same.  It talks about the threads of a spider web, “as sculptures of moisture.” (Line 7)  It’s amazing how a poet can bring a spider web to life.
4. “First Cormorants,” by Paula Sheil.  A sensual, alive picture of the Delta, with Kingfishers, swans, owls, geese, and “Redwing-rubied cattails.” (Line 13) Beautifully written.
5. “Windmills,” by Annie Wilson, draws up the past in grandmother’s house.  We can all identify with memories of our grandparents’ house, or maybe the house of another close relative.  “I want to creep back into those cool, concret-walled summer rooms and...”  (Linens 14-16)  Read her poem and she’ll take you there.
6. The Wire Stretchers,” by Muriel Zeller.  A poem about fences.  You know, the ones with rusted barbs built fifty or so years ago.  “Memory snags on wire,” Muriel says. (Line 13)  Nice stuff.

I’ve checked the website for Manzanita Writers Press, and it doesn’t offer the book for sale, but my guess is that if you request a copy, they might be able to sell you one at the listed price of  $15.00.

As always, thanks for stopping by,