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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, September 2, 2009

Matters of Life and Death from Above the Frost Line


"Old trees bend. Like women
and like men, they die and fall
or else the fall and die."
from "Living on the Mountain" --Nancy Simpson


Coming uprooted. Yes, trees die in the forest every day,
some from long term disease.




Life comes and then minutes, days, weeks, months go, leaving each of us with the truth of life. Life is hard for everyone. In my circle there have been too many new deaths and too many old deaths to relive. Dealing with the loss at the time of death is painful enough, so why are we required to hurt again and again, each time we touch the arm of his favorite chair, each time we polish her silver?



Catch me. I'm falling


Thanks, but just so you know, I'm still falling.







4 comments:

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Beautiful Nancy. Our lives are very similar to trees aren't they?

Yes, we've had too many deaths among our friends recently. It makes one put one's life in perspective and, at the same time, also makes us sad.
Sam

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
This excerpt from your poem is touching and very true. Trees and people die. Life is hard. There's not any way we can escape suffering in this life. This is a thought-provoking posting and lovely photos of the trees. Thank you for sharing this great posting with us. Have a great weekend.

Tipper said...

Lovely moving thoughts.

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

We know none of us will make it out of this life alive. We hold on to the memories of our loved ones like treasures, and watch the circle of life.