It has happened! Finishing Line Press "is proud to present" my chapbook, a book of 22 poems. They sent me an e-mail asking to publish it on the eve of my 65th birthday. It is good to be blooming, even if I am a late bloomer. I am over the moon that my artist/fiddler friend Lillie Hardy Morris has permitted me to use one of her paintings for the cover. Some of you may have met Lilly at pipers' gatherings and Irish music camps, or in Ireland at a pub session. Glimpse her beautiful work here: http://www.lilliemorrisfineart.com
Finishing Line is a small Kentucky press that is a great outlet for emerging poets. I am expected, as a new author, to help advertise advance sales so they can determine Blue egg's press run. (Expected release date is this June.) Below are some nice things that writers I respect and admire have said about the chapbook, and a sample poem, followed by info about how to pre-order a copy of Blue egg, my heart.
From Pat Riviere-Seel, author of The Serial Killer's Daughter and Nothing Below but Air:
Crack open the pages of "Blue egg, my heart," and you will find poems that sing of loss, longing, family, friends, and, ultimately, redemption . . . These poems are full of awe, and yes, they are thrilling. So come, break into these poems, and enjoy the music from a talented poet.
From Earl LeClaire, poet and raconteur, author of Below the Mayonnaise Factory and Epiphanies and Benedictions:
Cathy Larson Sky's poetry, like her music, is by turns stunning, disquieting, melodic, and memorable. It is survival poetry edged with anger and conflict but always steeped in a search for a deeper knowledge of the inner workings of the heart and leads us, finally, to love.
**********
Bunting
for gentleman piper Lt. Col.Edward Riley Harrison
It started with blackbirds in the yard–
a loud flapping crowd. Captive
between two invisible walls,
they fled back and forth.
The sight raked my heart
along with the phone call:
your long suffering, over.
At graveside, rifle shots
jack hammered the air.
Soldiers unfolded the stars
and stripes; its fabric quivered,
new oak leaves stirred.
A sergeant lowered the folded flag
into your widow’s arms, backed
away slowly, holding her gaze.
Bright mornings, grey afternoons
I seldom left the couch, watching hummingbirds’
bold passes at the feeder, their quick retreats.
Fat grey doves pecked at ground-seed,
cardinals lit: crimson lord, dun lady.
The lone bunting was among them one day
and after: indigo-flash, metallic, defiant.
A blue I know from oceans.
He dined humbly with the others,
neither strange nor exotic
except when I close my eyes today
and remember he was there.
**********
If you would prefer to pay by check or money order (14$ for the book plus 2.99 postage = 16.99) send it, with your request for Blue egg, my heart to:
Finishing Line Press
PO Box 1626
Georgetown, KY 40324
(for any problems ordering, write to: FLPBookstore@aol.com
Some of you are going to receive post cards from Finishing Line, too. Maybe you'll want to display Lillie's graphic on your fridge gallery. Before I forget, Finishing Line takes orders from the USA only.
Best wishes for a flowering, abundant spring, all the more lovely because of the hard winter we've endured.
With Love, Cathy
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