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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."

Friday, June 3, 2011

I HEAR THE RIVER CALL MY NAME by Mary Ricketson






































I Hear the River Call My Name

--by Mary Ricketson

Hiawassee River winds
where I go to rest my mind
from a hard day of work.
I make my way down to the river.
I walk along the grassy bank.

I gaze at ripples.
Granite boulders grip my mind.
I marvel at their strength.
Branches, leaves, and bits
of trash float downstream.

A steady current gentles
through my mind.
A rush of water splashes
up against an edge of right black dirt
and runs crystal clear.

Dark ripples tear
through the middle.
My raucous thoughts hide
like wild trout hide in the deep.

I slow my pace.
Sounds of running water
rhythm through my thoughts.
I hear the river call my name
and I know what to do.
One by one, I cast my burdens
and watch them float downstream.

from I Hear the River Call My Name
Finishing Line Press, 2007

1 comment:

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

I liked how the author had "raccous thoughts hiding like trout in the deep". I, too would like to cast my burdens into the river.