Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor
“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy
Poetry has a voice in our community, and the Whatcom Watch is adding to its chorus. You all love poetry, right? Well, here you go!
Subject matter is unlimited, but poetry featuring or specific to Whatcom County and issues addressed by Whatcom Watch (government, the environment and media) will likely get first preference.
Please keep it to around 25 lines; otherwise, we might have to edit your work to fit. Don’t make yourself unprintable.
Send poems and your short, two- or three-sentence bios as a word document attachment to poetry@whatcomwatch.org.
The deadline is the first day of the month.
Please understand that acceptance and final appearance of pieces are subject to space constraints and editorial requirements. By submitting, authors give Whatcom Watch express permission for first-time publication rights in paper and electronic editions of current or future volumes of Whatcom Watch.
Not Sleeping
by Sharon Robinson
Anger and Compassion slept together last night,
What lousy bed fellows–
One ranted in the dark and slugged his pillow,
Whilst the Other wept for them both,
And nobody was there to care or to laugh
Except for Time which never stops to sleep.
Waiting, waiting, maybe for Love, to show up with the sun.
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Sharon Robinson is a local poet who has two books published. She prefers the joy of great beauty but finds the world keeps her awake at night in various states of conflict.
Diamond Bubble Devas
by Kathi Mattson
Silver flashes over rocky falls.
Diamond bubbles circle in foamy pools,
catch the light of those glittering jewels.
Devas sail their diamond boats from pools to falls,
from falls to pools,
again and again.
Gleefully laughing til they join their kin.
The devas sail lower
where the spring melt flows much slower.
Cousins wave
from the last snow outposts above the banks.
At last, the procession assembles
at the brink of a beaver dam.
The crowning of bud and bloom
blesses the land.
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Kathi Mattson is a former Washington state resident, She currently lives in the mountains of Arizona, and seeks fresh, clean, running water wherever she can find it.
