Muskoka
muskoka calls me like a secret lover
her yearnings gripping the edges of busty winds
& jumping into the soft spot under my earlobes –
patient in the tender shadows
we had a love affair for three summers…maybe two
the memories are lake blurry – does it matter? time lived differently
shouldered against tall trees: pine spruce fir hemlock birch cedar
anxious like family around tables made of black water
those days stretched like lies tricking my adolescent heart into
believing in true love into believing that fears could shatter like my skin
against the dark wrinkled face of the water
the dark in me thrilled by being swallowed whole
in the dangerous deep
parts of me remain below the surface
soul-torn edges twisting in the sediment 700 feet down
I need to return to her intoxicating bodies
gather my childhood & rediscover the terrifying
freedom of running the dock – leaping
into dawn’s open arms
I’ve been thinking of the summer…of the possibilities for travel and adventure that rose each day with the sun…soon this freedom will return…until then…I’m in a pretty constant state of yearning…you too?
MAY EVENT ROUND-UP!
Onward into May! My virtual book tour has FOUR stops this month! We scoot to Toronto for a radio interview and fundraiser with Valentina Assenza at HOWL then we skedaddle back to Windsor for the Palimpsest Press Spring book launch. After that, we gallivant to Victoria to party with the Planet Earth Poetry reading series, and finally, we hop to Halifax for a reading and conversation with poet Margo Wheaton! Golly, it’s gonna be great! Won’t you join us?
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021 – HOWL RADIO INTERVIEW BROADCAST CIUT 89.5FM
To listen to the live broadcast, CLICK HERE.
THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 – PALIMPSEST PRESS SPRING BOOK LAUNCH
8pm via Zoom – registration link below!
Celebrating the Spring authors launching their books from Palimpsest Press!
With Margaret Christakos, Nathaniel G. Moore, Tolu Oloruntoba, and Vanessa Shields. Hosted by Jim Johnstone.
May 13, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_A3mt8lITSBWAYePM55x13gFRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021 – PLANET EARTH POETRY READING SERIES
Time: 10:30PM EST | 7:30PM PST
Via Zoom – Vanessa Shields as Featured ReaderClick here for Zoom link. *Zoom link opens that evening right before it starts!
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 – POETRY & THE FAMILY W/ MARGO WHEATON, HALIFAX POET
Virtual Reading & Discussion with Vanessa Shields and Halifax poet Margo Wheaton on the art of writing poetry about family, home and place.
Time: 7pm EST | 8pm ATL
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: May 20, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: Poetry and the Family
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0jwxSVYiRK-rOoIfNo_6ww
Check out WindsorEssex Reads!
A group of very cool folks have started a Facebook gathering space for literary lovers in Windsor/Essex! Be sure to ‘like’ their page and discover the many exciting literary events happening – including your own! Share, discuss, join the community of readers!
“Established in 2021 by a trio of local book lovers, Windsor-Essex Reads is the hub for everything book-related in Windsor-Essex County.Our region is home to several independent bookstores, publishers, authors, and literary events. By creating an online space where all book lovers can go for information on the local literary scene, we’re hoping to see our very own literary community blossom and thrive.We’re guided by the motto “ad astra per libris,” which means “to the stars through books,” and aim to see everyone—book sellers, authors, and readers alike—reach the stars through a shared love of books and reading.Check our page regularly for information and updates about local bookstores, authors, book bloggers, literary events and more.If you’re a local bookseller, author, book blogger or event organizer, reach out to us at windsoressexreads@gmail.com so we can share your content with other book lovers in the area.-Amber, Samantha, and Rhiannon”
VANESSA SHIELDS, writer 