Every year I submit four photographs to the Gadfly, Madisonville Community College’s annual literary magazine.
As an emerging photographer, I am still trying to develop my craft and style. And so I’ve learned over the years that with little experience and a desire to grow and learn, that submitting to a small, local press is the solution to gain exposure and see what works. And what doesn’t.
Since 2014, when I began to submit to Gadfly, I’m proud that they have published several of my photos.
In 2016, I submitted my usual—four photos—the maximum for each artist. Three of my photos were chosen. You can find those photos (redfox, grey squirrel, pileated woodpecker) here.
But also this past year, I submitted a poem. And yes, Gadfly published The Nature of Western Kentucky, A Pantoum.
I wrote this pantoum for a lifestyle book I am working on. The book is tentatively titled, The Nature of Western Kentucky, like the title of this pantoum. This special forthcoming book will be a collection of essays, thoughts, photographs and recipes based on the four seasons in western Kentucky.
Thanks to Gadfly, Brooke Archila, and MCC for giving my art a home.
The Nature of Western Kentucky, A Pantoum
Spring
Water trickles from ice. Rushes down
To fill streams, rivers, and oceans.
Neon green buds sprout from bare ash-colored limbs.
Tender virgin leaves quiver with promise, hope, joy.
To fill streams, rivers, and oceans.
And then sow the red clay soil, plant seeds, open windows.
Tender leaves quiver with promise, hope, joy.
Greedy is the newborn.
And then sow the red clay soil, plant seeds, open windows.
Crisp air tickles bare bodies on fresh sheets.
Greedy is the newborn.
A nearby stream roars and the heavens drench the thirsty soil.
Daffodils and forsythia, then red buds and dogwoods
Neon green buds sprout from bare ash-colored limbs.
A red-tailed hawk soars.
Water trickles from ice. Rushes down.
Summer
Luscious green forests, rainbow-colored flowers spray perfumed scents into hot, still air.
Ripeness where abundance abounds
Busy bees buzz spreading life from petals and pistols.
Renewing, reviving the long days.
Ripeness where abundance abounds.
Hummingbirds dive-bomb the feeder.
Renewing, reviving the long days,
Their ferocious appetite insatiable.
Hummingbirds dive-bomb the feeder.
Bucks sport velvet-covered antlers.
Their ferocious appetite insatiable.
For nutrition, survival.
Rock white summer skies merge into sparkling star-studded nights
Busy bees buzz spreading life from petals and pistols.
Then rest comes, draping the frenzy in quiet.
Luscious green forests, rainbow-colored flowers spray perfumed scents into hot, still air.
Fall
Winds shift, tired trees bow, golden, red, then brown leaves fall to earth
To rest, decay and then nourish Mother Earth.
Smoke-filled air from felled trees burns in fireplaces, while forests prepare
Turning the corner to winter.
To rest, decay and then nourish Mother Earth.
Early shedders like poplars and red buds
Turning the corner to winter.
Others like sycamore and oaks shed like a silk shawl might slide off bare shoulders.
Early shedders like poplars and red buds
Reveal warblers and woodpeckers.
Others like sycamore and oak shed like a silk shawl might slide off bare shoulders.
Concealing squirrel dens, screeching owls, a world of pastels and privacy.
The setting sun begins its descent lower in the west.
Smoke-filled air from felled trees burns in fireplaces, while forests prepare
Shadows grow long, Hummers migrate south.
Winds shift, tired trees bow, golden, red then brown leaves fall to earth.
Winter
Gravity has its duty.
Conspiring to slow life.
Fluffy white snowflakes blanket the earth.
Naked dark limbs rattle, dense grey clouds converge.
Conspiring to slow life.
Snow blows sideways, wind howls.
Bare dark limbs rattle, dense grey clouds converge.
Mornings and evenings, a blanket of quiet, stillness.
Snow blows sideways, wind howls.
Protesting, angry, stirring both passion and courage.
Mornings and evenings, both dark, oppressing, quiet, still.
Preparing, ready for growth.
Cardinals and finches flit in and out of the holly seeking shelter.
Fluffy white snowflakes blanket the earth.
Elm trees flutter like gold coins, holding steadfast, but,
Gravity has its duty.
(Published in the Gadfly @2016. All rights reserved Berry Consulting.)
