A big thank you to editor Karen Kelsay who has published my poem “Without Flight” in the new issue of The Orchards Poetry Journal.
Last May I wrote about a red-tailed hawk that showed up on our patio. You can read the prose account here: An Unintended Visitor
For the poem version, you can follow the link to the beautiful Winter issue of the journal. My poem is page 94 of the magazine–95 of the digital form:
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This week was not as good as the one before because I didn’t feel that well, plus I had extra work-work.
But over the weekend, I created a chalky pastel background that I really like, a strange scribble background using pastels in similar but different shades, and a string ink background.
I also was able to do some revision work to an essay that is in limbo with a journal. I’ll try to read it over today or tomorrow and see what else it needs.
So far in January I’ve collected a few rejections. Last spring I had two poems accepted by a journal that has not yet published them. They didn’t put out a fall issue, so am I waiting for the spring one? Hard to tell. I wrote to them, but got no response.
Very compelling poem. I’m thankful you feel like working at all as you struggle with your health.
Thank you, Joy! I try to keep going and ignore stuff. BTW, my shoulder has been bothering me so much. Limited range of motion, numb hand and fingers, shooting pain with certain movements, pain lying down. Does that sound like yours or not? Thank you, “doctor.” haha
It sounds like you are accomplishing a lot despite it all. Hope you are feeling better.
Thanks, Kate. Ugh, I hope so. I know you are going through a lot right now. Hope you’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
Congratulations—great that your poem has found a good home!
Thank you so much, Ellen. Have a blessed week.
I do remember the hawk visitor very well and so happy for your poem to be published!
Not happy that your health isn’t speedily moving along toward a positive time, Luanne.
I feel for you. Stay sane – keep the faith, whatever yours is…know that you have friends thinking of you.
Thank you, and that actually does make me feel a lot better! What a stupid year. This is still 2020, by the way ;).
Congratulations on the poem. I really like it.
I hope you feel better this week.
I got a rejection yesterday. 🙁
Oh, I’m so glad you like it, Merril! Thank you.
Ugh, those stupid rejections. I have read that others are going through a big rejection period now. It seems to go in waves.
I love your concern for the doves and for the hawk. I hope that in the following month, those wildlife people were able to help that raptor. Keep up great work. Feel better!
Eric, thank you so much. I found out later that the hawk was a female, but that was where the info stopped. They have a policy where they are not allowed to update people who find wildlife in trouble! I am guessing they had trouble in the past so came up with the policy.
That is a beautiful poem at The Orchards. I hope you are feeling better again soon. May all good things come your way this year.
Thank you so much, Lavinia. And to you, as well! xo
So did I understand your poem correctly, that the hawk had eaten so much he couldn’t fly. Gut bombed? You sound just like me, out there trying to referee who is allowed to eat whom.
Anyway, it’s so great that this magazine printed your poem. I like their layout. I really liked the way you played with the words. I tried, in my head, playing with the words and putting them in a different order in a couple of places, but I saw then that you have it all figured out in order to get the right sound and flow happening. Well done, Luanne.
LOL, this made me laugh. I could see you trying to figure out a way to re-do the poem (I’m guessing based on your editing skills), but yeah, poems have to be a “certain way” at each point. Working on the art journal is making me realize that writing a poem has more in common with art than with writing prose!
We don’t know what was wrong with the hawk, but realized later that she (and it did turn out to be a she) that she hadn’t even eaten the dove. She might have intended to but got sick or injured, most likely.
That’s too bad about the hawk. I have mixed feelings about them. I LOVE to see them, and I know they have to eat, but I HATE to see them score a meal. I know that’s not logical…. As for your lovey poem, I did mentally try to rearrange some of your words, and within seconds realized that I would be butchering a work of art.
What an interesting poem, Luanne. I recall the incident, and it is incredible the way that you put all those elements of what occurred into this poem. Love the ending too, a surprise! Congratulations!
Oh, I’m glad you like the ending! Woot! Thanks, Carla. xo
Like you, I have been in limbo because of Covid fears, but I have done very little that is creative; at least you’ve “done” some things. Reading, reviewing, and cooking have been about as creative as I’ve gotten.
However, my online class in Advanced Writing began Saturday, so pretty soon I’ll be plenty busy keeping up with my 24 students’ demands. I am not complaining; I write this with the greatest of gratitude. I’m not crazy because I teach; I’m crazy because I LOVE it!
24 students! Wowsa, that is a lot online! Do you zoom or is it through “blackboard” or something like that? Good for you!!! I would say that that is a very creative job, BUT I know it is also draining, so please take care of yourself during this period. xo
I am feeling like a slacker for only having one class (the cap is 24, which is a bit large anyway for a writing class! LOL
How is it going? 24 is huge.
for a writing class…
Congrats on your poem, but sorry to hear you’re not feeling so good this week. Recovering from an illness can be a bit like one step forward, two steps back. I love your poem, the sounds, the pain of watching vulnerable critters struggle, knowing you can’t (and maybe shouldn’t) help. That hawk doing what hawks do and yet the sadness because they’re all about flight and he ain’t flying.
So … about those poems that were accepted but haven’t yet been published and the publisher not responding to your queries? I had a similar experience where a “publisher” (young woman who apparently took on more than she could handle) just stopped publishing her magazine. The worst is I had paid for a couple of print copies (in part to support her), but I never got them. I think she just got overwhelmed and decided going off the grid was the best thing to do. At least I hope that’s all that happened. I hope you hear about your poems soon. Is there a point at which you can just submit those poems elsewhere?
Thank you re the poem, Marie! Yes, it’s all so painful. I am always feeling pulled to pieces between feeling for the prey and feeling for the predator. They all have to eat, after all. I couldn’t hate predators, or I wouldn’t love cats, I guess.
About the editor that stiffed you. THAT is awful. I wouldn’t give her any excuses because she should have returned your money. I guess you won’t be so nice to order print copies ahead of time again. You just never know if someone is legit, even in such a little or no money endeavor.
I loved the poem Without Flight. In nature, the easiest wins out. I hope you feel better, Luanne.
Oh, thank you, John! I’m so glad you love it. I felt so bad for that hawk and then I feel bad for the doves when I feel bad for the hawk and then when I feel bad for the doves I feel bad for the hawk. hahaha
Circle of empathy. 😁
Yes, I do remember the hawk. I just read your poem, and I’m in awe of how you’ve transformed the experience into poetic form with such depth and nuance.
I’m sorry that you’ve not been feeling well. (Dealing with rejections doesn’t help, I know!) I hope you feel better soon.
Thank you, Liz. Your words are so kind! XO
You’re welcome, Luanne. I meant them!
Congratulations on the acceptance of that fine, muscular, poem, Luanne
I love that description! Thank you!
I’m hearing a lot of not quite up to par lately. A year of this insanity is taking it’s toll on everyone. I do hope you feel better soon. Congrats on the publication and Kudos on the rejection letters. Sounds ridiculous I know but I don’t have any because I’ve never been brave enough to put anything out there. You have great courage and that is it’s own reward. But you already know that. Keep the faith, it will get better if you believe it.
Oh, you have done so many brave things in your life. You prioritized your bravery, I’m guessing. It truly has been almost a year, hasn’t it?! We never dreamed this last February and March (etc).
Wonderful poem, Luanne, and I found myself fully immersed in the words!
I do hope you are soon feeling better and every piece of work is an achievement at the moment!
Thank you so much! Hah, that is true!
A stunning poem, Luanne. Such vivid imagery. I was there and could feel the tug on your heart as well as your awe and longing. So beautiful.
Oh thank you! Oh that poor hawk. How awful it was to see her like that.
Love your hawk poem! Just read your hawk prose story and loved it too. Somehow it escaped me last spring! You paint with words, Luanne!
Hope you feel better each day!! xox
Thank you, Ellie. That means a lot.
And for the get better wishes, too! XO
It’s beautiful Luanne – it covers a whole host of emotions from awe to horror to sorrow and wonder.
Thank you, Andrea. My feelings are so complicated when it comes to predators. Of course, my kitties are predators–or would be if there was something to catch in my house. I am so glad you like the poem!
I agree, sometimes facing the reality of nature is hard!
Congratulations!
I liked it very much, the ending especially — bearing the weight of the world, earthbound *sigh*
Bit of staccato and bounce, the rhythm is pleasing.
Thank you so much!!!!!