It’s a time for reflection and connection
By Barry Vitcov
It’s the season for friendship. Like all relationships, they come in all shapes, sizes, emotions, and experiences. Poets Jack Seybold and AhnaLouise Lich give us three poems about different friendships.
It’s also the season of celebration and renewal. 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 given below.
Farewell, Friend
By Jack Seybold
You leave us in dismay,
but just as much in gratitude
for treasured gifts you leave
and pleasure of knowing
they glow like embers stirred
where new and joyful friends
are blessed as we to know you.
Glow in peace.
Solitary
By Jack Seybold
Hands jammed deep in pockets
you endure your winter walk
with shoulders hunched
and hat pulled low
But brisk steps take you soon
past those seeking comfort
in their getting along
Like you
Jack Seybold published a novel: “The Rising: Journeys in the Wake of Global Warming” (with Tom Pollock), and has appeared in 30 theater productions after retiring to Ashland, Oregon, following a 36-year teaching career. His poems have appeared in Spring Harvest (Cal Poly Pomona), The Journal of Humanistic Psychology, and Peace Corps Writers. He served in Brazil in the Peace Corps, and holds a master’s degree in English linguistics. His book of poetry, “Sing Where the Love Is,” is available at Bloomsbury Books.
VIRGINIA of the VALLEY
By AhnaLouise Lich
Hold my hand ma’ dear
Sit beside me husband, sister, daughter, Friend
I’ll have no fear.
Lay your hand upon my heart – the hour is near
then Listen to my blood: a rhythm dance to hear
Sing me stories, Breathe me poems, free my spirit to take me home
Rub my back warm and strong
then brush my hair and hum along
my darlin’
Even though you ain’t my kin. Here: hold my hand again, ma’ dear.
AhnaLouise Lich has a degree as a chiropractic physician previously with practices in Westwood and Ventura, California. Her second career was a regional representative for TENS equipment along the I-5 corridor from Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington. Upon retirement she began writing poetry and participating in the performing arts: Mendocino’s poetry improv ensemble; classes with Dakota Line, writer for The New Yorker; open mic(s) in Woodstock, New York; Ashland’s Ripe Harvest, an all-senior ensemble; OLLI’s dance/improv classes; OLLI’s Analysis of Poetry with Linda Jaffee, and most currently Ashland Library Writers Group. She resides in Central Point amidst mountain views and hiking trails. During her daily walks she has been known to mutter some favorite lines of Rumi, Charles Rafferty and Tennessee Williams.
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.
