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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."

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

October Sands - a poem by Clarence Newton

OCTOBER SANDS

Good old boys stand strong and brave.
Like soldiers, they present arms to windblown sand
and fling long lines over breaking waves
from flexing rods in anxious hands.

Bits of mullet on barbed snares
offered to suseen drum and swift blues,
saying down with caution, drop your cares,
our plans for dinner include you.

Mile after mile and day after day they stand
with sand in their eyes and sand in their shoes
on those outter bank strands of stinging sand
as they cast for drum and cast for blues.

by Clarence Newton




On June 10, 2009, Clarence Newton of Young Harris, Georgia wasone of the featured poet at Coffee With the Poets held at Phillips and Lloyd Bookstore in Hayesville, North Carolina.

5 comments:

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
This is a great poem by Clarence Newton. He's one of my favorite poets and I enjoyed his reading at the June "Coffee with the Poets."

Nancy Simpson said...

Thanks for the commment, Brenda Kay. Clarence told me this poem came from watching fishermen on the Outter Banks. It is a vivid image, and it makes me want to go fishing.

Glenda Council Beall said...

I look forward to a poetry book by Clarence. His poetry is very special and is he. I'm sorry I missed his reading at CWP.

Nancy Simpson said...

Glenda, You were missed at Coffee With the Poets. We had every seat taken, with some visitors too. Thanks for starting Coffee With The Poets. It is a perfect forum for poets to read their poems and it's a good place to catch up on the poetry news.

Glenda Council Beall said...

I'm so happy that Coffee with the Poets is going strong. I'll be back soon. I miss being there to hear all our wonderful poets read.