Joanne the Poet - The Poetry of Joanne M. Clarkson

Poetry at Bus Stops in Olympia

My poem “Madonna of the Boardwalk” is now posted in the bus stop shelter in front of the Olympia Timberland Library on 8th street! Oly Poet Laureate Amy Solomon-Minarchi chose 15 poem to decorate stops throughout the city. More poems will soon be on city buses. My poem is about the beautiful bronze sculpture downtown created by Simon Kogan.  You can find a list of authors, poems and locations on the City of Olympia Poet Laureate website.

Two Poems in Bright Hill Anthology

“Like Light” is the title of the anthology which celebrates 25 years of Bright Hill, the press that published my book, “The Fates.” Editor Bertha Rogers collected poetry and prose from writers who have either been published by or who have read at Bright Hill Literary Center in Treadwell, New York.  My poem “Lipstick” is both about my mother and about a deaf patient who could read lips. “A Relic of Skin” is based on a childhood memory of finding a snake skin in my grandmother’s cellar. The 474 page book is beautifully presented by Bertha who is a graphic artist as well as a poet. I am so thankful to Bertha and Bright Hill’s Staff and Board for honoring my work and including me with all the other gifted writers who have been blessed by this earthly source of beauty and inspiration.

Natural Bridge Publishes “The Difference Between Pigeons and Doves”

The journal Natural Bridge, published by the University of Missouri-St. Louis has included my poem in their No. 38, Fall 2017 issue! I wrote the poem, entitled “The Difference Between Pigeons and Doves,” during my November 2016 write-a-poem-a-day-for-30-days challenge with Tupelo Press. It is essentially true, about a ceremony performed by my step-brother Jimmy’s girlfriend after his death. The part about the man who feeds pigeons is also real.  The head librarian was really the president of the friends of the library — but that is too wordy for a poems. Thank you, Natural Bridge!

Poem in Santa Fe Literary Review

I am so pleased to have my poem, “Meeting the Great One,” included in the 2017 issue of Santa Fe Literary Review. The theme for this year’s journal was ‘Missed Connections.’ The publication is beautiful, filled with poetry, fiction and art from around the world. Besides the splendid print edition, there are two ways to read the journal online.  Searching the review’s name online will take you there. My poem is on pg. 188 — in case you want to skip ahead! I was a shy child — obviously I grew out of that aspect of my personality. The poem is about a child who is about to meet her favorite t.v. personality at a special performance, but in the end is too frightened to approach him. It is based on a true event.

“Moon Medicine” in The Healing Issue of Blue Heron Review

My poem “Moon Medicine” is now online in the Summer 2017 issue of Blue Heron Review entitled “The Healing Issue.” This poem is more structured than many of mine. It is near the end, so persevere.  Issues are archived, so poems are always available to read at any time.

Joanne Has Three Pieces in We’Moon 2018

I am so thrilled my work is again included in the We’Moon Datebook! The theme for 2018 is ‘La Luna’ and the moon is depicted, described and honored in a multitude of ways. We’Moon is subtitled Gaia Rhythms for Womyn and the book includes Lunar cycles, ancient holidays and feasts, astrologic information, tips on mindful moon watching and so much more.  Every week there are new meditations inspired by words and artwork. My first piece titled “Letter to Other Moons” is featured the second week in June and is actually a letter from earth’s moon to faraway sisters.  In September 2018, I have a short memoir about a Grandmother walking with her young granddaughter, talking about how each perceives the moon.  Later in September I have a description of a Palmist teaching her students about the Mount of the Moon which lies on the lower, outer edge of each hand.

The We’Moon datebook is available at Radiance in downtown Olympia and also at Barnes and Noble, Orca Books and many places where books, calendars and sacred arts are found.  We’Moon also has a beautiful wall calendar.  This year both are available in Spanish language editions.  Great gifts — for self and others!

 

Two Poems in Ice Cream Poems Anthology!

My poems “Melting Point” and “Sweet Demons” are included in the new Ice Cream anthology from World Enough Writers, an imprint of Concrete Wolf press.  Patricia Fargnoli is the editor.  The book is divided into 5 sections and contains work by over a hundred poets.  Poignant, funny, chilling and delicious!  I am so happy to have my poems included!

New Poem in CATAMARAN

My poem “Hemlock at Ten” is just out in vol. 4, Issue 4, Winter 2016 of CATAMARAN Literary Reader.  This is a glossy, magazine-sized journal that I first encountered in Barnes and Noble a couple of years ago.  The format with its beautiful artwork, often full-page sized, and plenty of white space around the poems and stories, attracted me visually.  The imagistic quality of the pieces included drew my imagination.  I though to myself then, “I sure would love to have a poem in here!”  The poem they accepted is based on a childhood memory of climbing a tree.  I was not an adventurous child, but when my friend enticed me, I followed her up what I recall as a giant hemlock.  I was terrified and terribly excited at the same time.  And when she finally coaxed me down. I was never the same.  I hope I captured this moment that even after more than 50 years, I cannot forget.