Can you believe it – September 1st is this Monday. Labor Day Weekend is happening this weekend. Have you noticed any leaves turning red yet? This is a big spider year in the Pacific Northwest. Last winter was fairly mild. September Corridor might not have an overwhelming feeling of fall, and there is NO mention of cursed pumpkin spice, but there are some deep feels. When you step back, the whole issue feels like it is asking:
How do we move through confusion,
endings, and obstacles?
The lines answer — with humor, with memory,
with nature, with inner strength.
In this issue, our contributors explore how we face life’s obstacles and turning points. From drooping foxgloves to foggy highways, fireflies to restless dogs, each piece shows the unexpected challenges along our paths. Yet in these poems and art, we also find humor and resilience. Corridor Vol. 31 reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, we can discover connection, wonder, and light all around.
Big thank you to this months contributors!
Corridor Vol. 31
Cover art: by Kathleen A. McKeever, “Lemur Follows Sloth Tracks Along The Corridor Of The Salish Sea, Arriving At Waters Edge In Time To Enjoy Summer’s Transition To Autumn” 1118
BIOS BIOS BIOS
Nina Smolarski is a lesbian poet living in Bellingham. You can find her on Instagram
(@smolpoetry) or her zine series “Poems That Happen to Me.”
Naomi Stenberg says “Even after publishing dozens of poems, I’m amazed at how much more there is to learn. I think I’ve just begun…”
A garden-variety poet, Betty Scott plants images, sounds, and rhythms she hopes will bloom in readers’ minds after she dips her hands into muddy soil, where, for her, laughter resides.
Nancy Kay Peterson has published some 200+ poems and two chapbooks and is still working hard to learn how to write better poetry.
Duncan Shields is an animator, writer, podcaster, and performer currently living in Vancouver BC with his wife and daughter. He enjoys the rain and burritos, and he’s happy to be here.
Harvey Schwartz hitchhiked west in 1971 for a summer vacation and never returned. His life since has been sprinkled with magic that he tries to put in words.
Taya Sanderson Kesslau believes that beauty will save the world, and poetry, cookies, and kindness. She lives in Fairhaven with her sweet husband and their many 4-legged creatures.
J.I. Kleinberg lives in Bellingham, Washington, where she tears words out of magazines and stares at them until they turn into poems. Find out more at
https://chocolateisaverb.wordpress.com or on Instagram @jikleinberg.
C.J. Prince poet – anthologies – sand – chapbooks — tai chi — language borders – fox den of dictionaries — distinguished – new book — after the full moon artist — Salish Sea
Luther Allen writes poems from his mostly unmanaged 10 acres of mountainside near Bellingham, Washington. He views writing as his spiritual practice.
See https://othermindpress.wordpress.com/
Shannon Laws is the publisher of Corridor. Her fifth poetry book, “Tongue in Ink,” is
available at Village Books and Bellingham Public Library. Visit shannonplawswriter.com for more stuffs.
ARTIST
Michelle Ballou is a poet and artist living in Bellingham, Washington. She likes to play with ink, paper, and words. The American Robin is her spark bird.
Jessica Pfundt is a local photographer who enjoys capturing PNW landscapes and the people within them. Her poetry is inspired by our human connection to our environments.
Kathleen A. McKeever has published two books of poetry, available at Village Books or
Bellingham Washington Public Library, “Lightbound” and “Body/Today.”
Peer Smits (The Netherlands).3 books. Writing also prose, composer, photographer. Publications in several magazines. Painter.
shannon p. laws 