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Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Poet of the Month FOR APRIL 2010 - Brenda Kay Ledford




Brenda Kay Ledford has been named Poet of the Month in this her birth month, in this U. S. A. National Poetry Month, April 2010. Brenda is a native born Appalachian poet living and writing in Clay County, North Carolina. She has published poetry widely and is the author of thee collections: Patchwork Memories, Shew Bird Mountain, and Sacred Fire.


Brenda Kay Ledford is the four time recipient of the prestigious Paul Green Award. She first won in 2005 for her poety book, Patchwork Memories. She won in 2006 for collecting the oral history of Velma Bean Moore. In 2007 she received the Paul Green Award for her poetry collection Shew Bird Mountain ( Finishing Line Press) and in 2009 she received the award for her book Sacred Fire ( Finishing Line Press.)


Between now and the end of the month, Brenda Kay Ledford’s poems will be featured for your enjoyment. Comments will be appreciated.




Shew Bird Mountain


Loopin through an arch

of flaming poplars, burning maples

and golden rods,

sacred fire

drawing me to my Native land

where Cherokee hunted

game with bows and arrows,

danced around campfires

and chanted to the Upper World.

Buzzard swooped through valleys

forming the Shew Bird Mountain:

embers

caught on virgin forest.


Brenda Kay Ledford

from Shew Bird Mountain

Finishing Line Press


Legacy


The thead runs

from an Appalachian home

famed by golden poplars.


The thread loops

through Matheson Cove,

climbs Shew Bird Mountain


riding the wind with mountain laurel.

Whipperwills ricochet in the holler,

Hyatt Mill Crek whispers my name.


The thread zig zags

through the corn patch

Grandaggy Bob plowed with mules.


The thread dashes

milk Ma Minnie churned

into butter golden as sunflowers.


The thread plucks fruit

from trees bowing to the ground

and fries peach pies.


The thread gallops

through generations selecting genes,

stitchng them together


thread by thread

like Mama piecing

a Lone Star Quilt.



Brenda Kay Ledford

from Shew Bird Mountain

Finighing Line Press


4 comments:

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Congratulations Brenda Kaye. I always enjoy your poetry. The only way it could be better is if you were reading it to us in person.
Sam

Glenda Beall said...

Congratulations,Brenda Kay. i really like ShewBird Mountain.

Visit my new blog, http://glendacouncilbeall.blogspot.com/ when you have a minute.

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

Congratulations! This is much deserved. As always I am a little in awe at the ease with which you write.

Anonymous said...

Nancy, I have always liked the wholesome quality of Brenda's work.
I enjoyed reading her poems on your blog. Glenda Barrett