Category Archives: Madrona Grove

Poem: Rainer’s Shade

Rainer’s Shade Flare up like a flame and make big shadows I can move in —Rainer Maria Rilke Protected by your stare Sun’s rays will burn me If it spies me standing there Under covers of the bed I made Next to a pile of books to read Window’s light a threat Curtains now aContinueContinue reading “Poem: Rainer’s Shade”

March “Poem Booth” Space Awarded

The winner of the debut POEM BOOTH contest has been announced. Congratulations Kathleen McKeever of Bellingham, Washington!         Sunnyland Scent If I could brew a personal fragrance of this morning’s air, my perfume would speak to the part of my memory which recollects towhee at the birdfeeder and sweet pine sisken song.ContinueContinue reading “March “Poem Booth” Space Awarded”

38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Award

“Thank you, City of Bellingham’s Mayor Linville and the Bellingham Arts Commission for awarding “Bellingham Art Beat” the Mayor’s Arts Award.  It is a great honor. In addition, I need to extend a special thank you to the many dedicated listeners in Bellingham and online who follow the show, and the over 58 guests whoContinueContinue reading “38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Award”

Poem: Broth

Broth Ten dollars an hour for twelve hours —watch, stir, refill, stir again and watch. My tool a large paddle punishes coconut clumps Beats at them and their natural oil-tendency. Tomorrow I’ll beat at raisins Somebody’s gotta do it. My day hovers at various levels of self-induced hypnosis I’m on a lake of coconut directingContinueContinue reading “Poem: Broth”

Pit Stop

  Pit Stop Early morning air whistles past the plant on the dresser, kicks at a scarf hanging on my bed post, then finds the place in my mind holding childhood trinkets.  I surprise myself, reacting in song.  I sing an old folk song handled and dusted by time, passed down generation to generation.  AnContinueContinue reading “Pit Stop”

Writer’s Shout Out

Earlier this month Rena Priest, a poet, writer, producer and community activist, interviewed me for her new radio program “Writer’s Shout Out”. Her one-hour interview program takes a look at the life of a writer and the things that inspire them. This program aired on the non-profit, community station KZAX-LP FM 94.9 last week. It wasContinueContinue reading “Writer’s Shout Out”

Christmas Card 2016

CLICK to view the 2016 SPL Staff Christmas Card Christmas Card 2016 Entering the last week of the year I can’t help but get a little reflective.  This year was tough for me personally, and the unrest throughout our nation added more frustrations. I really wanted to start this letter with the sentence, “What a suck-ass yearContinueContinue reading “Christmas Card 2016”

Poem: Another God

Another God by Shannon Laws I cannot sleep next to you The porch light on the other side of the curtains tricks me awake You look frozen on a canvas, painted in oils by a master, shadows lightly brush your shape I study the back of your head your ear lobe a quiet beating veinContinueContinue reading “Poem: Another God”