Day 16 brings us two poems from Paulann Petersen, “Traveler,” and “Basin,” both from her collection Kindle (© 2008, Mountains and Rivers Press).

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE POEMS

Paulann’s work can absolutely envelop a reader, and set them floating in whatever jet stream a particular poem provides. In both “Traveler” and “Basin,” we find ourselves in a place of new beginnings, not yet certain of our footing, and still coming to terms with the terrain. Yet we go forward with a sense of safety and familiarity, as if remembering a previous pass through.

Traveler


Cast ashore
like some fleck of wood
brought here from afar
by the sea,

you reel — stunned
to breathe this reek of
strange urine, strange perfume
thick in saffron heat.

Here you are, foreign one,
familiar with only
the moon and stars,
a cloud-scraped sky,

the lidless eye of sun.
Take heart: only what floats
could be carried
as far as you’ve come.

**

Basin

On a walk, your face catches
some of the rain — a bit
of river, mill pond, lake
coming around, slanted down.
Caught on your tongue,
raindrops taste sweet,
an ocean in its mild disguise.

What you gather into yourself
comes from as far away
as the whole world’s girth,
from as close as what you
can reach. Your upturned hands
could cup to hold part of it—
carried with you: this earth’s
steady recompense.

**

A Poet a Day is a month-long celebration of poets and poetry, in honor of National Poetry Month. Writers reserve all rights to their work, and all work appears with their permission.

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Join Paulann Petersen in a poetry workshop dedicated to creation, reflection, and craft.

DOWNSTREAM: WRITING WITH THE CURRENT

Using notable poems as springboards, the workshop will help you turn loose in the river of word as language carries you along in its current. You’ll generate some new work in each session, while also exploring other poems you’ve written (new or ones you bring with you) for possible ways to strengthen them through revision.

This workshop is open to writers of all levels of experience.

Sundays, 12-3 pm, April 26th to May 31st

Visit Attic Writers to learn more and register today!

One of the Pacific Northwest’s leading voices, Paulann Petersen, will be sharing her love for poetry this Saturday, March 14th, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Multnomah County Central Library, with a free workshop is entitled ANYONE’S DOMAIN: A BASIC POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP.

While it’s listed as a workshop for beginning writers, the two-hour gathering will be devoted to creating and generating poems, and is open to anyone who wants to write in a supportive, congenial group.

From Paulann: “Poetry is not the domain of just a few. It’s as natural and accessible as heartbeat and breath. Writing poetry requires nothing more than a love of words and a willingness to let your pen move across a page, following language wherever it takes you.”

Read more, and register here.