Poetry Friday: New Poetry in the Wild
This week’s Poetry Friday host is Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Hop on over there for the roundup.
New Poetry Anthology
I have some poems in a new nature anthology.
WILD: AN ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY is published by Hey Hey Books and has poems from more than twenty poets. It’s so lovely to recognize so many names from other anthologies, poetry workshops, and Poetry Friday.
I have four nature poems in this anthology. It’s now available to buy. Proceeds go to protecting nature and donations will be made to following organizations:
Here is one of my four poems in the anthology:
Haiku of the Week
surprise fall heat
pushes up dandelions
bees don pollen packs
Haiku & Photo © 2023 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Photo Taken: October 29, 2023, James River, Richmond, VA
Haiku Written: October 30, 2023
What I’m Reading
by Mark Nowak
I’ve been thinking a lot about the intersection of poetry and nonfiction, and I have been reading about docupoetry.
This was a book that came up in my reading, and I realized I already owned (and loved) some other docupoetry books. This is my latest read. It’s such an interesting and sad topic–the tragedies of coal mining accidents. Nowak pulls from loads of primary sources. And yet, I’m wondering how he weaves poetry and the documents together. I’m not sure I totally understand because the process isn’t explained. But it does intrigue me and informs my own work.
20 Comments
Linda M.
docupoetry…I want to know more. Where do I go after Cole Mountain Elementary. Would you lead a class on this? I’d attend. GREAT post. I love your poem above. It’s so you!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I don’t know enough to lead a class on it–I’m just intrigued. Remember when we took that class at The Writer’s Center–years ago? I think that’s what got me thinking about it. Here are some favorites that I’d recommend: White Blood: A Lyric of Virginia by Kiki Petrosino, Blood Dazzler by Patricia Smith, Plume by Kathleen Flenniken (this book make me fall back in love with adult poetry several years ago).
Irene Latham
Marcie, that apology poem is gorgous! Congratulations on being included in the anthology, and thank you for sharing with us! And PLUME – that’s a winning recommendation, and I look forward to finding a copy! (Alas, just checked my library, and they don’t have it.) xo
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
PLUME is so great! I really love it. It was recommended by an instructor of a poetry class I took.
Sarah Grace Tuttle
Marcie, congrats on the new anthology!!! If your poem is any indication, it looks like a delight. Docupoetry seems fascinating as well. Thanks for sharing, and a joyous Poetry Friday to you!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much!
Rose Cappelli
Love your apology to poetry, Marcie. It reminds me of a poem I wrote in response to a question Georgia Heard posed- Where do poems hide? Your poem answers that so well, and congratulations on having it included in the anthology. I’m writing down some of the recommendations you gave.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes! I remember doing “Where do poems hide for me?” with students.
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Docupoetry – interesting! Congratulations on four of your poems being included in Wild, well deserved! However, you certainly owe no apologies to poetry. : )
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Aww, thanks! I have found an itch to be outside more and I’ve not been outside as much with it getting dark so early. I feel like I’ve missed a lot of poetry being stuck inside.
Alan j Wright
Marcie, congratulations on your inclusion in this anthology. I shall follow it up. I love the lines that remind the reader that poetry is not hiding, but merely waiting to be discovered. I often find myslef referring to this idea when talking to young poets. I first became alerted to docupoetry when I purchased Patricia Smith’s Blood Dazzler’ which featured poems relating to Hurricane Katrina. I was immediately sold on this powerful form of poetry.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yes! Blood Dazzler is excellent. I own that one as well.
Linda Baie
“Forgive me for not noticing when you wave” – wonderful to read that ending after all the other parts we may have missed, Marcie. Congrats for your poems being in the anthology. And love the idea of “pollen packs”. I get it this year. Our days have been unusually warm for October/November & I am still seeing bees! I have read about docupoetry, but will look for some example, like the book you shared, to find out more. Intriguing! Happy Thanksgiving!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It’s interesting, last January, there were bees all over a Japanese apricot tree at a local garden. It was freezing outside, but the bees were out and about with those blooms.
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Congratulations, Marcie, on WILD! Your poem dazzles and is perfect for such an anthology. I’ll look forward to getting a copy.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much! 🙂
Michelle Kogan
Love your poem Marcie, and all the places you/it finds poetry in, especially “and the tulip poplar blooms are laid to rest.” Congrats on having 4 poems in the anthology! I’ve found some dandelions too, strange though nice to have them along with the bees! Docupoetry sounds intriguing thanks for sharing all with us!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was very hot that day! I was supposed to be watching a race, but got distracted by all of the things hugging close to the river.
Denise Krebs
Marcie, congratulations for your four poems in the Wild publication. I saw “cotton candy clouds of dawn” this morning, and I missed the poetry. Thank you for the reminder to notice. I just want to repeat this beauty here again:
“Forgive me
for not noticing
when you wave.”
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you so much, Denise!