Apologies for the late start this morning! I discovered on Wednesday that I had reports to complete on my grant-funded projects for FY25, which I knew but hadn't quite realized there would be FIVE of. And then there is the distraction of finding, down the street a piece, an enormous fig tree with a paper plate sign hanging off a lower branch: "FREE FIGS"!
I don't know about you, but the scent of the fig trees at this time of year follows me around, calling to my mouth...maybe there's something to the idea that deep in my northern German heritage was a swarthy Mediterranean soul...
So last night I was busy picking figs and forgot that I switched hostess duties with Margaret Simon. So sorry if you've been impatiently waiting to unleash your post last night or this morning!
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It's the 3rd Friday, so traditionally Climate Friday here at my juicy figgy little universe, and I have some nice news to share. The same folks who collected and published DEAR HUMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME in September 2023 are putting out second ecopoetry anthology called THE NATURE OF OUR TIMES, and I'm so pleased that they've selected one of the poems I submitted for the online Gallery to be in the print book! It's billed thus:
Poems on America’s Lands, Waters, Wildlife, and Other Natural Wonders
A companion to the First National Nature Assessment (NNA1), Forthcoming, Fall 2025 from Paloma Press, in collaboration with Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University and Poets for Science
The first time I saw the call for poems back in January, however, it seemed to be focused on our little patches of backyard nature--so those were the kind of poems I submitted. You'll find "Ordinary Grass," "invasive: a kudzudoku" and "Undone" in the Gallery, which is the one that will be included in the book.
There are a number of other poets from the DMV (DC/MD/VA) included, a few of whom I know, so I'm hoping we'll be able to organize some public readings. And looking at the Bios galley I was asked to review, I also find some Big Names: Diane Ackerman, Camille Dungy, Jane Hirshfield, Naomi Shihab Nye, Ray McNeice and Arthur Sze, plus many others you might know. And of course, the editors: Luisa A. Igloria, Aileen Cassinetto, and David Hassler. I'll let you know how you can order it when the time comes. For now, enjoy "invasive: a kudzudoku":
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A distraction of figs--how perfect is that! Congratulations on your happy publishing news! Keep enjoying all the sweet distractions of summer and thanks for hosting this week.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's add that to the Collection of Collective Nouns: "a distraction of figs"!
DeleteGrant reports...sigh. Figs and poetry are the perfect antidote. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too bad, really--I got to review kids' and educators' evaluation form comments and photos of kids looking positively jazzed about poetry. And also relive the receipt of MONEY for doing my favorite thing. I was just worried I wouldn't finish by the deadline!
DeleteWhat perfect reasons for a later start -- the work of poetry and the poetry of life!
ReplyDeleteAnd whattheheck, it's just now Friday morning, so who's to say you're "late" anyway?!?!
Thanks for hosting. Rattle didn't want my poem, so it gets a smaller audience, but an audience nonetheless. Congrats on YOUR poem for getting a wide and then wider audience!
Glad to hear you're submitting! Rattle's brains are loose--that lifeboat poem is brilliant.
DeleteHeidi, your kudzudoku is brilliant! That is so challenging, but you've made it look effortless. Congratulations on the upcoming publication! And, oh, figs! We don't have fig trees here, but if we did and someone offered them free for the picking, I'd be there. :)
ReplyDeleteRemember the old PF days when Poetry Friday started Friday morning? You're not late! Maybe we all just have too many things to cross off our To-Do lists and it's good for us to take Poetry Friday at a Friday-ish pace. ;)
Thanks, Karen--it was really fun to do, and I appreciate your and Mary Lee's reminders that it's called Poetry FRIDAY for a reason. I just know that some folks who have to get up and go to school like to get 'er done early...
DeleteKudzudoku! Heidi, your creativity inspires and abounds! Thank you. Oh, and fig preserves. YUM. Also, I recently learned to smear one side of my grilled cheese sandwich with fig jam. Amazing! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene--it's funny, but I think the glory of this tree at my fingertips is that the fiigs are FRESH. It's generally true for me that I adore the fresh fruit and resent the preserved or flavored version for not being fresh.
DeleteI see I could strive to be more accepting. Perhaps the grilled cheese approach will help. 😉
Tasty figs, some news of poetic success and a dash of Kudzudoku -who could have dreamt up that combo, Heidi? Thanks for the head swirling post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan--one idea at a time just never seems enough!
DeleteYour Kudzu poem traverses like the plant, though fortunately yours unlike actual Kudzu is contained. Congrats on having poetry included in this new publication! Figs are a delish distraction, especially direct from the tree, enjoy and thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I caged it on purpose subconsciously, with a combination of admiration and fear of its prolificity!
DeleteCongratulations, Heidi...I am glad your words continue to reach far and wide. And, oh, invasives. It's cool what you did with the kudzu. Thank you for hosting today and for always inspiring us not only to write, but to act. xo, a.
ReplyDelete"May my poems blanket the earth as the vining kudzu"--but much more beneficially, of course! Thanks, Amy.
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes! And may we all be rich in figs. I am craving these...https://natashaskitchen.com/manchego-cheese-bites/
DeleteWhoo! Hoo! Looking forward to the anthology. I'm mesmerized by the "ghostly mounds" --and the rendered, divinely counted kudzu. Might be the form; might be the emotion, but I was compelled to sit down and immediately replace your nouns with my own. Oooh...found something. I'll send it on a side email later. Thanks for the morning prompt!
ReplyDeleteVery excited to see your replacement sudoku! Thanks, Patricia.
DeleteHeidi, would that I could have a distraction of figs today! That sounds delicious. I'm glad you were there to see the sign. The "Kudzudoku" is a masterpiece. I keep reading every whichway and they all make sense. Funny how the focus of the anthology changed. Perhaps it was all the federal cuts. I liked the message the editors added to the gallery. Thank you for hosting and for writing and sharing! (I think I'm going to go try what Patricia did this morning.)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Heidi! Your kudzudoku poem is mesmerizing and so creative. And those figs! My in-laws had a tree and I always looked forward to fresh figs this time of year. I miss them (in-laws as well as figs). Thanks for hosting today.
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