A Sonnet Story, Curated Poetry Lists & New Poem
K.C. Ireton's 'A Yellow Wood,' 'Below the Brightness,' poetry by Steven Searcy and a Substackaversary
But first, this.
Once upon a time before naming my online space “Poetry & Made Things,” subscribers received a quarterly-ish newsletter called ‘Random Acts of Writing.’ I am a Random Abstract processor and I write the way I think so the moniker fit my work.1
Then I moved my online writing here to Substack, focusing on poetry and other poem-related inspiration and information. (That is still my goal; I will take up regularly-ish scheduled2 posting beginning in August.)
In the meantime, I have a random roundup for you: A book to tell you about, a rhyming poem I wrote and ICYMI: two curated poetry lists- Female Faith Poets and Books for Kids, plus a bonus video of poetry in motion, a 25 second video of a hummingbird in my birdbath fountain—one of Creation’s greater joys.
First up, a sonnet-laced novella: ‘A Yellow Wood And Other Stories,’ by K.C. Ireton
K. C. Ireton is a gifted multi-published author of both non-fiction and fiction who has woven seven remarkable sonnets into an engaging ‘quiet love story’ (to use her own words). Here is the opening sonnet:
I January
He cupped in perfect palms my girlish face
And said he loved me—loved me! I believed—
Surrendered all to him—my deepest place—
Of holies holiest—and he received
Or rather took, stole, gobbled greedily
Until a surfeit gorged his empty soul—
No sacrifice can sate so speedily
As flesh upon an altar, burnt to coal
Black as the emptiness behind his eyes
The day I knew myself unloved, deceived—
Grey day when he forswore my sacrifice
And offered me to other gods. Bereaved,
Bereft—my girlish face ashamed—I fled
His tabernacle, though my soul still bled.
From the Amazon page for “A Yellow Wood and Other Stories,” by K.C. Ireton:
In the title story of this debut fiction collection, American college student Maggie discovers a stash of sonnets in the attic of her great-grandmother’s home in Herefordshire, England, and sets out to unravel the mystery of their authorship, finding friendship and love along the way.
Four additional stories round out this volume. Whether depicting the affection of a daughter for her mother, the love of a woman for her husband, the friendship of women in community, or the simple kindness of a stranger, these stories are quiet and gladsome tales of ordinary people learning to trust and love in extraordinary ways.
You Can find K.C.’s book on her Substack, Evensong Stories where she posts free micro-fiction monthly for all readers, offering glimpses of redemption and grace.
A New Poem
As a writer and poet I am of course, always reading—gathering inspiration and new ideas. An area I’ve wanted to grow in and challenge myself is in writing poetry with more rhyme and meter rather than in free or blank verse.
Steven Searcy, author of Below the Brightness from Solum Press has the most wonderful way with words, offering poems that resound in their reading—for that is the way poetry should be experienced—reading the words out loud. Highly recommend.
At any rate, I was nudged to try a little something myself, inspired by Steven’s poem ‘Hush,’ and wrote the following:
A Rhyme of Wonder
Too immense for words
And yet we try
Earthly earth, cerulean sky
To share the wonders that must be heard.
Take up your pen
Write it down
Let language resound
And resound again.
We must needs tell,
Lest the rocks cry out
And offer their shouts
To break the spell.
About the Poem
To spell something comes from the word and idea for enchantment, which etymologically came from cantare "to sing" (from the root *kan- "to sing"). Compare Old English galdor "song," also "spell, enchantment," from galan "to sing," which also is the source of the second element in nightingale. (Thank you Etymology online.)
Enchantment does not mean ‘magic’ as the connotation so often is rendered, but to ‘spell’ something is to sing it or say it out loud. (Remember spelling tests in school, saying the names of the letters in a word?)
As writers and Christians we are called to break the spell of the world, that one cast by the enemy of our souls, by ‘spelling’ the wonder and beauty and truth of the world with our words. For if we do not offer praise and witness to God’s presence and power in this world, the very rocks themselves will cry out, will they not? (Luke 19:40).
What will you spell today with your words, spoken or on paper?
Curated Poetry Lists
ICYMI (in case you missed it)
I recently offered readers two curated poetry lists—here are those links. Enjoy!
More lists to come—
Poetry for the Holiday Season (too soon?)
Contemporary and Classical Poets—The Guys List (there’s more than Wendell Berry)Coming Up:
Coming Up
The month of August holds two special occasions—the one year Bookaversary of Mining the Bright Birds: Poems of Longing for Home.3 Which is hard to fathom—one year?!
And, my actual, factual birthday on the 10th. What a gift to be alive!
Speaking of marking time, this newsletter “Poetry & Made Things” is officially one year old! My first poem/post was a riff on Psalm 19. You can read it HERE.
TO CELEBRATE
In keeping with the upcoming occasions, stay tuned for two celebrations, including a birthday book giveaway and our first ever Poetry & Made Things Community Thread. (Not sure what that is? You’ll find out!) This inaugural conversation Thread will be open to all Subscribers - Free and Paid.
Until then, I hope this message finds you savoring your summer days and enjoying a few moments with good words, poetry, stories or otherwise.
Jody
BONUS: As promised, this video of a hummingbird splashing at our deck fountain (with a water spot on my window). A 25 second pause.
I discovered the way I learn (and my students learned) when I found Anthony Gregorc’s work on learning styles in 1992.
Peter Reynolds has written a delightful children’s book called ‘Ish.’ You should find it!
Jody! Thanks for the shoutout, friend! You cheer me on in so many ways. Thank you. 🤎
there's so much goodness here in one post!! the poem has some absolutely spectucular lines and I honestly didn't realize you had published a book, so just bought it. am also SUPER excited for the list of poetry for the guys