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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, October 13, 2009

Glenda Council Beall is Poet of the Month for October 2009



In this her birth month, Living Above the Frost Line celebrates Glenda Council Beall as Poet of the Month of October.


Raised on a farm in southwest Georgia in the late forties and fifties with four brothers and two sisters, Glenda finds memories from childhood come to surface in her writing. She also writes about her husband, Barry, and their forty-five years together.


Glenda graduated from the University of Georgia with a teaching degree. She taught in both private and public school elementary grades. Now retired, she enjoys teaching senior adults who are eager to write their memoirs, family stories, and personal experiences. Glenda says she has taken numerous classes from the excellent instructors at John C. Campbell Fplk School , attended workshops and conferences and has learned the ends and outs of writing and publishing. She will offer two classes at J.C.C.F.S. in 2010.


Her poems have been published in Journal of Kentuky Studies,Georgia Journal, Appalachian Heritage, Main Street Rag and a number of other literary magazines.


Her chapbook, NOW MIGHT AS WELL BE THEN is scheduled for release in October 2009 at Finishing Line Press.



Three Poems by Glenda Council Beall




In The Dark


I lie here in bed, my cheek against your shoulder,

remembering a night, long ago, on your boat.

I was afraid. I felt too much, too fast.

But you were tender, and love crept over us

like silver fog, silent on the lake.

We were never again the same.


We stepped like children through that door that led

to long passages unknown, holding hands, wide-eyed, but brave.

Here I am years later, listening to your soft breath

and feeling your warm smooth skin.

In the dark, now might as well be then.




You Never Meet a Stranger

---for Barry


I watch you and I'm jealous. You talk

to people on the elevator, at the airport

standing in line, at the grocery store

in front of the cucumbers.


You are never lost for words, while I

stand stiff, my eyes averted from

the woman's waiting at the post office

window. I can't think of anything to say.


I fear the person will resent intrusion.

But you — you smile and

burst right in. The stranger's eyes

light up and suddenly she has

become your friend.



The Drive Home


I sit in the driver's seat

watching the ribbon of highway

unfold around each curve.


In the distance grey mountains

loom in misty mounds.

I fiddle with the radio.

Stop when I hear Mozart.


The steering wheel is hard

against my ungloved hands.

No more latex and plastic.

No mask to hide the musty

smell of my old car.


I shed all that inside

your hospital room, and left

without saying goodby,

afraid you'd see finality

in my eyes.




17 comments:

karenh said...

So nice that you're featuring Glenda. I hadn't heard these poems before, and they are beautiful, just like Glenda herself. It's wonderful that her book will soon be out.

Lana H said...

I agree with Karen.
Glenda, Wow! I loved every one of them. I can hardly wait to get my copy of the book. I had heard many of the poems were for or about Barry. Everyone of these gave me little goose bumps. The feelings are so strong and beautifully conveyed.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Nancy,
I'm glad you're featuring Glenda this month. I can hardly wait to get a copy of her new book. I enjoyed very much her poems that you posted.

Nancy Simpson said...

Hello Karen, Lana, and Brenda Kay,

Thank you for your comments on Glenda's poems. If you follow my site you know that when a poet is featured, there will be more and more about the poet during the month. More about Glenda Council Beall coming. Stay tuned.

Also, if you know of a published Southern/Appalachian poet born in November, December or January, please let me know.

Anonymous said...

Nancy,
You always have the perfect timing for doing special things for people. From the first class I ever took with Glenda I really liked how her poetry made me feel.
It always gave me a comfortable feeling. Now in these poems she is taking me a bit further....into her heart. These are so good!!
Glenda Barrett

Anonymous said...

Nancy,
Thanks for introducing us to your son. I remember hearing you read a poem about him once. This is one fine looking fellow.
Glenda Barrett

off-line said...

Glenda writes like I would like to. Every one of her poems are exceptional in my book. I remember when she wrote these three and how moved I was hearing them for the first time. She is truly one of the warmest and dearest souls I have encountered--and you know how picky and aloof I am.....

Nancy Simpson said...

Yea! We celebrate the life and the poetry of Glenda Council Beall in this her birth month.

Anonymous said...

Nancy ---
Coming back home after visiting my brand new great-grand baby girl in CA, I checked out your blog first thing. What a delight to find Glenda's beautiful poetry highlighted. I really look forward to reading more in her new book. Her poems touched my heart with their tenderness and honesty. So much like the woman that wrote them.

Glenda said...

Nancy, I am extremely touched by the kind and caring words of other writers here. And I thank you so much for posting my work on your beautiful blog.
I am truly blessed with good friends and wonderful support. Thank you all for your comments and I hope you all enjoy the book.

Unknown said...

Thanks for making Glenda your Poet of the Month. She's a wonderful teacher and poet. I was a student of hers at JCCFS and thanks to her discovered a whole new gift I didn't know I had. And Happy Birthday Gleda!

Cydney W said...

Congratulations Glenda. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of your book. Your poems put me right there in the room with you. I know they will greatly inspire the writing of my memoir.

Tipper said...

Glenda is an amazing writer-and a good friend too. I know you feel the same way I do about her.

Nancy Simpson said...

Hi Tipper, Yes, Glenda has become one of my dearest friends down through the years. We've worked on a lot of Writers Network projects together.

But, most of all, I remember the day when we were sitting on the back porch of Orchard House at John C. Campbell Folk School. She had a paper in her hand. She said, "I don't know if this is apoem." I said"Read it to me." You all know how I love to hear the poem or story read aloud. Glenda read it. I said, "That's a poem."

She went on to study and to learn and to write volumes. I am out of my mind joy over her new poetry collection published at Finishing Line Press.

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

Nancy,

How lovely that you have featured Glenda's poems this month. She is a special person, and her poetry touched my heart.

Maren M said...

Glenda is continually surprising me with the scope and grace of her poetry. Thanks, Nancy, for posting these,and how about some more? Maren Mitchell

Nancy Simpson said...

Hi Maren, It's good to get a comment from you.

I just posted two new poems by Glenda today,
on her birthday, Oct.22, 2009.