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Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

WHITE LIE a poem by Nancy Simpson




WHITE LIE by Nancy Simpson

End of May and we have nothing
better to do than walk on the mountain,
our cardigans closed against the cold.
You cannot take back one lie,
no even white ones, subtle

as berry blossoms beside this path.
I kick a stone and tell you I believe
we will pull free from the brambles.
Old timers call this Blackberry Winter,
a temporary cold spell, quick to pass.


Previously published in Davidson Miscellany
Included in Night Student


13 comments:

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
I love this poem about blackberry winter. I don't think I've ever heard it before. It's one of your best poems and so right for this time of year.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancy,
Everytime I see the blackberry blossoms in the spring, I know soon there will be a cool spell.
This is another good poem Nancy.
Thanks for letting us read it.
Glenda Barrett

Tipper said...

This is one of my favorite poems-by you. And so good for this time of the year.

Lynn ... said...

I love this one and the pictures here are just beautiful!!!!! Why do I love this little "White Lie" so much?!?! WOW!!!

I love you .... see you soon!!!

Lynn

Nancy Simpson said...

Hi Lynn, I knew you'd recognize these blackberry bushes. You know eactly where they are. They will be full of berries this year. "Easy pickins." Mark your calendar.

This little poem has been around so long, but some people are reading it for the first time.

Miss you. Mom

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Hi Nancy, I too have always liked this poem. Boy, have we had blackberry winter here. I was so afraid our garden would be hit by frost but we dodged the frost-bullet this time. Blackberries are taking over a portion of our backyard. I just had a blackberry poem accepted. So, a high five for blackberries in poems! And out of them, too.

Nancy Simpson said...

Thanks Kay. It's so good to hear from you.

It has been a chilly Blackberry Winter here too.

Congratulations on getting your blackberry poem
accepted. I'll look forward to reading it.

karenh said...

Love it and the pictures. Our blackberries want to take over our driveway this year.

See you tomorrow night?

Karen

Nancy Simpson said...

Hi Karen, Yes, I'm rooting for you.

off-line said...

Nancy, I could have sworn I had already commented on this clear cut diamond of a poem. I must have hit the wrong button, something I am prone to.

Masterful metaphor for those cold sticky times we hope/know will pass. Perfect for the black berry winter we are having now. Pure satisfying perfection, this!

Nancy Simpson said...

Thank you Pat. You know I appreciate your opinion on my poems and I always have. I still remember when NCWN West poets met in that old out building at TCCC. Your comments alone kept me writing at that time. Thanks.

Judy Roney said...

This is a beautiful poem and I feel I am right there with you on your walk. The blackberry plants were in full bloom when I left there and they will be thick with blackberries on my return. I love how you love this land.

Nancy Simpson said...

Hello Judy, It is so good to hear from you. Hurry back to the mountains.