You are invited to an Open Mic and Reading on July 23rd, 7pm, where the focus will be on connection and healing. And in that vein, here is a poem I wrote on Mother’s Day. I hope you are able to give and receive some kindness today. And thank you for reading!
A Mother’s Gift
Wade knee-deep into the waves
with a leaky crate for a gift box.
Let sandy, grit-encrusted shells
emerge as water washes away.
Gather mussels cracking open,
their tongues a purple bruise within.
Harvest seaweed, dried and tide-twisted,
with bulbs still fleshy brown.
Let sea glass and tide-smooth stones
rattle like eggs in this nest.
Discover the joy in this gift
to you from a watery mother.
Let the ocean soak you
in its salty heart
as you bend and search, bend
and receive
Her love.
Amy Wray Irish 
Amy, I believe you sent some poems to Turkey Buzzard long ago as an introduction and it was impressive. Then, I heard you read in Lafayette, but no matter how enjoyable and rewarding that is, reading the work itself takes one much deeper. Your words are so emotionally intelligent, with a powerful rhythm tuned to the breath of nature, of woman, that even on difficult days and in troubling times, you connect with the audience and never seem to falter. You wrestle and absorb life’s questions and inevitability, opening a path, both elevated and internalized. When the observations, the language, the multiple meaning and the pure humanity make it easy for the reader, you know you’re writing well. You embrace and carry the Feminine another step further, which we Always will need more of. Bravo, well done!
Thank you so much Jerry!