Who doesn’t like a muddy slog
By Barry Vitcov
It’s November and we hope rain and snow is abundant in Southern Oregon. Hikers are enjoying the mountains and Mt. Ashland is preparing for a December opening. Who doesn’t relish a muddy slog through stands of cedar. Mary Theis has written a poem taking us on one of her hikes with the sounds and views the season offers as a setting for an intimate conversation among friends.
We are approaching the holiday season, a Season of Light. If you have a poem for any holiday that celebrates with light, even if not at this time of the year — Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Lantern Festival, Lunar New Year, New Year’s, or any other festivity where light plays a significant role — please, consider submitting to the Poetry Corner. Guidelines for submission are listed at the bottom of the column.
Boccard Point
By Mary Theis
The mud is thick after a much-needed rain. It collects on our boots, weighing them down as we hike through stands of cedar. Prints of deer are also in the mud, one foot stepping into the impression of another. Vicki and I talk in code, identifying birds by their calls. We hear a pileated woodpecker, then see the distinct silhouette perched high on a large snag before it swoops off.
We hike way above the clouds. The sun is shining, pulling long elegant shadows. There is not a hint of a breeze on this cool November day. To the south, sweeping views of the valley far below enchant us. And Mount Shasta stands tall with a thin veil of haze at its base.
We speak of regrets; of things we wish we did in our youth. On the way back, Marsha and Vicki speak in Spanish. I pick out only a handful of words. The French classes I took in high school are of little use.
Fall hike through cedar
golden pollen dusts regrets
a sneeze heard for miles.
Mary Theis enjoys writing poems from a different perspective and likes to exploring ironies, humor, and unexpected connections in life. Her work has been published in Failed Haiku, Verseweavers, Encore Prize Poems, Cobra Lily, and /pãn|dé|mïk/ 2020: An Anthology of Pandemic Poems by OPA Members. Mary lives in Talent, Oregon, where she spends time outdoors, writing, and reading her poems at open mics.
Poetry Submissions Welcomed!
You are invited to submit original work to the Poetry Corner. There are only two restrictions: First, poems need to show a connection to Ashland and/or Southern Oregon. Your interpretation of that connection is fairly loose! Second, poems need to be aligned to the left margin. The publishing platform used by Ashland.news has issues with the creative use of space! There are no length restrictions but try to keep your poems to no more than 30 lines. Be sure to include the title of your poem, your name as you would like it to appear, the city or town in which you reside, and, if you wish, your preferred pronouns.
To submit poems, send to Barry Vitcov at haikubjv@gmail.com.
Dec. 16: Corrected submission email address.
