Photo courtesy of John Wilson at unsplash.com
My Poem, "Aim," Published 🖋📓
So pleased to announce that my poem, “Aim,” was published in the current (December 2020) issue of Songs of Eretz. It has a refreshing “Spring” theme— more on that in the editor’s note.
The issue contains the poems of many very talented poets to savor, including meaningful poems by my dear friend, Charles A. Swanson, who is a featured poet in this and many other issues. Check out his poignant elegy to his beautiful granddaughter, Addi. It is an honor to share this issue as “contributor twins” with this steadfast friend from my grad-school days. Here’s to many more of his publications.
Read the complete issue at: Songs of Eretz.
“Aim”
Melanie Faith
That was the night we sped barefoot
down the embankment
across the rolling lawn
past the fountain outside the dining hall, past
Diana the huntress
her bow and arrow pointed perpetually
skyward. Her aim: a silvery spattering of almost-
summer stars. Our aim: celebrating the end
of semester. Our aim: disruption. Each shimmer
of water from rotating sprinklers
a world within a world we had yet
to step into, landed light
and wet on our bare
shoulders. We were a spinning
folly before equilibrium, the best kind.
The brick-tower clock struck two. Someone
squealed from the impact of the cold,
another someone shushed, but it was half-
hearted, against the mirth. Diana
and her bow, at the top of the hill, steady
she kept watch, peering the other way,
head tipped upward to her map of constellations:
ever-aiming into the many night spoils.
Enough stars to gather and gather again
in our open arms.
Photo courtesy of Gaimard on Pixabay
Fantastic News: 3 Books of Tips in 1 Handy Volume! :)
I’m thrilled to announce that my three reference books for writers are now available in one handy-dandy volume. This includes In a Flash!, Poetry Power, AND Imagery-Making/Photography for Writers.
Packed with oodles of prompts and tips to get your pen moving in several genres.
Get inspired, and get your e-book copy today! Click this link: Flash Writing Series.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash, Lavi Perchik.
Image by Jon Tyson on unsplash.com.
Interview :)
Great news! I was interviewed by writer Annalisa Crawford. We dish on writing, new projects, and more. Check it out: interview.
Enjoy Annalisa’s amazing book: Grace and Serenity.
Also, check out Photography for Writers and my other writing craft books to get that inspiration flowing: Books.
Image by Nacho Capelo on unsplash.com.
My Poem Featured :)
Cool news this week: I was honored that a poem from my This Passing Fever collection was chosen and read online by Lee Ann Berardi Smith as a part of an awesome poetry project. Catch it here.
Care to get your own signed copy of This Passing Fever? I’ve got you. Here.
Want to learn more about writing poetry? I’ve got that, too: here.
I’m in the midst of exciting music collaborations with the poems. More details later this year. Stay tuned!
Poetry in a Time of Pandemic
It’s my honor to have a poem published in the St. Charles Arts Council’s project, Poetry in a Time of Pandemic. My poem, “Quarantine III,” was just published. May these poems bring comfort, insight, and hope to us all as we wait out this terrible virus.
“Quarantine III”
I cracked open a window, to be touched
by chilled arms: shrill April winds better
than nothing. Sister says she’s started
having nightmares about social distancing.
She wandered through a hall, body shaking,
shaking a fist at duos in sweaters carelessly
entwined in chaste hugs. Last night, I dreamt
of an anniversary party in a giant ballroom.
I asked at every festooned food table for
pretzel rods. I was that specific; they weren’t
just pretzels. The punch was Hawaiian red but
all I could scoop into my cup was pale pink,
square ice pellets that tasted of run-off and
blankness. Not even water could quench
as it vanished. I took more anyway.
National Poetry Month <3
Break out your pens! Happy National Poetry Month!
Here are a few ideas for sharing, writing, reading, and enjoying poetry while quarantining.
Let’s make bunches of verse this month!
Image courtesy of Nicole Honeywill at unsplash.com
Backchannels
It’s been a terribly difficult, tiring, anxious, confusing time, hasn’t it? Feels like we went to sleep at the end of February, and woke up in a stark dystopian novel in March.
My emotions are a snarl of quicksilver uncertainties and kindnesses and fears and back again. I feel so inarticulate, because even this attempt at description doesn’t come anywhere near close enough to the realities we’re living in.
We’ve been self-quarantining for three weeks here on the East Coast, and the governor has just issued a stay-at-home warning through April 30th; I know many states and communities have already been stay-at-home quarantining. May this keep us safe and save many, many lives. <3
As we all try to adjust to unprecedented circumstances that COVID-19 has triggered, sending you my best.
A special shout out to medical personnel, emergency crews, store clerks and other necessary-business personnel, my fellow teachers, and parents at this time— your compassion and bravery make a difference.
I’ve been making art, pondering and reflecting, walking into rooms only to stare into space with perplexity, sharing with students and friends and family, trying to listen more than I usually do, grateful for work online, and attempting to get rest whenever it’s possible (sometimes, it’s just not been possible, as we all know).
How are you coping, dear ones?
I’ve waited to blog until I had GOOD NEWS. Can’t we all use some good news right about now? One of my poems was just published at Backchannels.
Please feel free to share your good news and gratefulness, no matter how big or small, to uplift us in the barrage of near-constant virus coverage.
Sending big virtual hugs (I so miss hugging) and much love and health to you all.
By Ron Smith on Unsplash
New Year, New Writing: I've Got the Inspiration Station for You
This is your year! Invest in your writing dreams in 2020!
Write poetry? Try Poetry Power! for signed copies or Poetry Power for print and ebook copies via Amazon.
What writers are saying about Poetry Power: “After reading Poetry Power, I feel confident that yes! I could be a poet. Melanie takes her readers by the hand and walks them through the whole process of writing, publishing, editing and loving poetry. Little personal vignettes scattered throughout Poetry Power made me feel like Melanie was a friend. It was as if we were in a writing group together and she was sharing her writing secrets. Each chapter ends with a Try this Prompt that are easy and exciting to try.” —Tricia L. McDonald, Writer and CEO Splattered Ink Press
Write fiction or nonfiction? Try In a Flash for signed copies or In a Flash for print and ebook copies via Amazon.
What writers are saying about In a Flash: “Written in lively prose, and full of terrific prompts and great examples of the form, this book captures all the potential of flash prose pieces and crystallizes it expertly for the reader, whether novice or advanced.” Fred G. Leebron, director of writing programs in Charlotte, Roanoke, Gettysburg and Latin America, and Pushcart Prize and O.Henry Award recipient
Love photography AND writing? Try Photography for Writers for signed copies or Photography for Writers for print and ebook copies via Amazon.
What writers are saying about Photography for Writers: “If you’re a writer (or photographer!) that’s tired of the same old how-to books, then you’re in luck. Melanie’s advice takes you on a delightful tour of the creative world in a way you haven’t seen yet. Her voice and ideas will spark ideas - you’ll be laughing and learning but also producing! This book is a treat!"
–Kandace Chapple, publisher and writer of Grand Traverse Woman magazineSigned book bundles available at: WritePath Productions.
I'm Featured Author at Burningword Literary Journal :)
Super excited to announce that I’m Featured Author this month at Burningword Literary Journal.
Check out my poetry here: “Clean out” and “First Bite” poems.
Consider submitting your work (between now and March 10th), here: Submissions.
Also, consider supporting the journal and purchasing the issue, jam-packed with wonderful artistic works, here: Issue 93.
