Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor

“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy

Do You Enjoy poetrywatch?

Want to see it continue? Then please, send your poems to us and let the Whatcom Watch share them with our readership! Seriously, we really do want your roughly 25-line poems though length is by no means a deal-breaker; it’s how you use those lines. Featuring or specific to Whatcom County and issues addressed by Whatcom Watch such as government, the environment and media. Send your poems to: poetry@whatcomwatch.org and let’s make magic happen.

Subject matter is unlimited, but poetry featuring or specific to Whatcom County and issues addressed by Whatcom Watch (government, the environment and media) will likely get first preference. Please keep it to around 25 lines; otherwise, we might have to edit your work to fit. Don’t make yourself unprintable. Send poems and your short, two- or three-sentence bios as a word document attachment to poetry@whatcomwatch.org. The deadline is the first day of the month. Please understand that acceptance and final appearance of pieces are subject to space constraints and editorial requirements. By submitting, authors give Whatcom Watch permission for one-time publication rights in the paper and electronic editions.

One Approach
(People, Life & The Mountain)

by David P. Drummond

Is never enough, to be
accepted on summit circle
You can be friendly
to all, and still get slapped.
Silly me, Thinking
Give Good, to Get Good
“Not Always”, says Life
Go home now. Return if
and only, You are Ready
Morning sun on new snow
avalanches lushes away
Sneak by full moonlight
and Aurora Ascend
skewered by cherry shooter
Listen to slithering rope
snake, praying to ancient
ice avenue, below our
cramponed, boot feet
Tahoma knows your
heart’s intention
Snaps her wind whip
across your indolent back
Bakes the brow and neck
of late risers. Plan
prepare, train all you
want. But, never think
idly, you will achieve
a climax moment
with only one
Approach~
___________________________________

David P. Drummond is a wildlife biologist, naturalist-educator who loves Being in Nature, where the poignant experiences of life often inspire him to surreal expressions.

 

that sort of persuasion

by Luther Allen

Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I’m not too hard persuaded.
— from “Summons” by Robert Francis

most days it seems that we have failed.
we told and told, but never persuaded.
we came too late, too gently
to the not too hard persuaded.
lost to dog whistles, the stomping
on bleachers. a stubborn and
determined blindness. we spoke,
so cleverly, to the mirrors, again and again.
easy. self-congratulatory. but the persuaded
went elsewhere. hammers
and breaking glass.
__________________________________

Luther Allen facilitates SpeakEasy, a community reading series, and is co-editor of Noisy Water. His collection of poems, The View from Lummi Island, can be found at http://othermindpress.wordpress.com.