nichepoetryandprose

poetry and prose about place

Posts Tagged ‘poetry’

getting ready for fall – choke-cherries

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I have finished the final painting in the group for my sale in November. The last one is titled ‘within easy reach’, the title of my book and the first poem in the book!  The painting is done in acrylics, 8″ X 16″, gallery edges, with Ultramarine blue, Cadmium red, Cadmium yellow, Burnt sienna and Titanium white.

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Choke-cherry is a large weedy shrub, found along roadways, at the edge of fields and woods, and in barrens and lakeside thickets. The dark red berries occur in drooping clusters. They are very sour but are used to make jelly and wine. When the choke-cherries are ripe, all you have to do is reach up and your pail will fill to overflowing!

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August 30, 2016 'within easy reach' Jane Tims

August 30, 2016 ‘within easy reach’ Jane Tims

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within easy reach

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Choke-cherry (Prunus virginiana L.)

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Choke-cherries flow

into pail, sunlight

into winter, glint

of ripening by fireside

and flame, a taste

of dry wine, cherry-laden

and summer within

easy reach, berries

by the handful, ice-pellets

against the glass

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within easy reach, Chapel Street Editions, 2016

Copyright Jane Tims 2016

Written by jane tims

September 2, 2016 at 7:00 am

Posted in within easy reach

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in the shelter of the covered bridge – lichens on the Benton Bridge

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Some of the species found growing ‘in the shelter of the covered bridge’ are unexpected. The Benton Bridge (Eel River #2) in west-central New Brunswick offered a few surprises.

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TRIP TO BENTON 2015 078_crop

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The Benton Bridge, built in 1927, crosses the Eel River at Benton, York County. The bridge is in an open area of houses, hay fields and a picnic park. A huge lilac at the end of the bridge was busy with hawk mothshttps ( https://janetims.com/2015/06/10/in-the-shelter-of-the-covered-bridge-hummingbird-moths/) . And Stonefly nymphs, an indicator of excellent water quality, covered the boards on the side and end of the bridge ( https://janetims.com/2015/06/08/in-the-shelter-of-the-covered-bridge-stonefly-nymphs/ ). But, to me, the most interesting discovery was on the upstream side of the bridge.

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trip to Benton 2015 064

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On the north-east facing outside wall, two species of lichen grew:

Boreal oakmoss (Evernia mesomorpha) and burred horsehair (Bryoria furcellata). These are common lichens, usually found on trees in open coniferous woods or on scraggy trees in bogs. Perhaps they like the coolness and humidity offered by this side of the bridge! I am so grateful to Stephen Clayden of the New Brunswick Museum for identifying and commenting on these lichens.

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on the north-east wall

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Benton Bridge

Eel River #3

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on the shaded side of the covered bridge

the walls are clothed, furred

in lichen

boreal oakmoss

yellow-grey and goose-fleshed

(Evernia mesomorpha)

burred horsehair

bristled, toasted and tangled

(Bryoria furcellata)

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they thrive on the weathered boards

from eaves to river they follow

the runnel ways of damp

cool on the dark side of the bridge

bark and branches their usual home

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Copyright Jane Tims 2016

 

Written by jane tims

August 12, 2016 at 7:15 am

Posted in covered bridges

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getting ready for fall

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It may seem early, but I have my sights set on November. I plan to sell my book and some of my paintings at a local Christmas market. To have enough paintings ready for the event, I have to start now! Just a bit at a time since I also have to finish two larger canvases already begun!

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This will be a chance to see if I can sell copies of my book ‘within easy reach’ in a market setting. To keep in the theme of gathering wild edibles, the paintings for sale will be of some of the wild fruit we have in New Brunswick:

  • blackberries, in the style of the painting on the cover of my book
  • wild strawberries
  • raspberries
  • low bush blueberries
  • apples

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IMG_4776

canvases, edges prepared and ready for paint!

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Since I dread just sitting behind my table, waiting for someone to have a closer look, I will take a couple of canvases and paint as I wait!

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!cid_A570666B-7C46-4223-8857-0A35F2DC2B1E

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Copyright 2016 Jane Tims

Written by jane tims

July 27, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Posted in growing and gathering, within easy reach

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on my book shelf:  ‘Crow Impressions & Other Poems’

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I am now reading Crow Impressions & Other Poems’ by Edith Miller. Crow Impressions is another book from my publisher, Chapel Street Editions in Woodstock, New Brunswick. Edith and I both launched our books at Westminster Books in Fredericton on June 9. Although I gave her book a quick read before the launch, I have now been able to sit down and enjoy a thoughtful read, as this insightful book deserves!

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Scan0020

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Edith Hoisington Miller, Crow Impressions and other poems. Chapel Street Editions: Woodstock, 2016.

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The other evening at a local writing event I sat next to a fellow book-lover who asked me if I’d read Edith’s book. ‘I love poetry about nature,’ she said. ‘The poems in Crow Impressions make you feel like you are there!’

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Throughout her book, Edith’s first-hand knowledge of her subject matter shines through. Edith has watched not only crows, but herons on the shore, song sparrows in the rose bush, and eaglets in the nest. It has been said that crows recognize individual humans and I am certain they know Edith! I know she reveres this kindred ‘spirit sign’, understanding the crow’s sharing of this world,  the intricacies of their language. I love her inclusion of her first poem, written when she was seven – it will be a mystery for you to solve in your own reading, what part of nature she addresses in her poem.

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As I read, I am able to follow a journey to places Edith has lived and visited — from Long Island Sound to Arizona, from Penobscot Bay to New York City, here to Fredericton in New Brunswick. As I read, I am taken to places I have been but stopped short of fully knowing. I read ‘Tidal Bore’ and experience the wild ride on the Shubenacadie River. The sounds and smells in ‘Air Shaft’ recall my own few days in New York City in the 1970s and show me what it might have been like to live in the Village (truly ‘the dream of a 1950s suburban girl’!). Edith’s poems show she shares my interest in American Hopi culture and her poems show the respect she has for other cultures through her experience in issues of social justice.

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Crow Impressions is a lovely book, from the feel in a reader’s hands, to the easy-on-the-eyes layout. From the etching on the cover (a woodcut of a crow from a skate board created as a tribute to the memory of her grandson Isaac William Miller) to the final poems of the book. These return to the image of the crow, acknowledging the true nature of the ‘spirit sign’.

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I recommend a close read of Crow Impressions – it will recall your own journey, make you ponder the symbols in your life for their particular meanings, and give you the joy of a walk on the beach even if you are far from the shore. Edith’s book is available at http://www.chapelstreeteditions.com and at our planned joint reading at Tidewater Books in Sackville this fall.

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Copyright 2016 Jane Tims

Written by jane tims

July 18, 2016 at 7:00 am

Posted in books with a strong sense of 'place'

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Hermit thrush

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Another surprise in the morning bird chorus — a Hermit thrush. I have been listening for it all spring and at last, this morning, the ethereal notes.

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June 24 2016 'thrush ethereal' Jane Tims

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How to describe the song of the Hermit thrush? T.S. Eliot described it in The Waste Land, in V: What the Thunder Said :

 … sound of water over a rock

Where the hermit-thrush sings in the pine trees

Drip drop drip drop drop drop drop …

and

… who is the third who walks always beside you …

and

… In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing

Over the tumbled graves …

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A technical description of the Hermit thrush song is ‘a beginning note, then several descending musical phrases in a minor key, repeated at different pitches.’

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The song is clear, flute-like. To me the essential characteristics are the change in pitch at the beginning of the new phrase and the hint of water within. If you watch the Hermit thrush while she is singing, she stands tall, tilts her head back, looks into the distance with her bright black eye, lifts her feathers ever so slightly and opens her beak. Her throat swells a little but otherwise you are left to wonder, where do those notes begin?

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If her song was another sound, it would be a flute in the forest.

If it was a smell, it would be the sweet scent of mayflowers, as you part the leaves with the back of your hand.

If it was a touch, it would be lifted hairs at the back of your neck.

If it was a taste, it would be syrup drizzled over iced milk.

If it was an image, it would be guttation drops on strawberries.

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IMG377_crop

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What other words describe the song of the Hermit thrush?

clear

precise

covert

alone

sweet

tremolo

pure

hidden

pensive

thoughtful

thicket

froth on a dancing wave

raindrops trembling on the tips of leaves

the step from rung to rung on a ladder

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If it was a vowel, it would be every vowel

If it was a consonant, it would be ‘c’, ‘l’, ‘r’, or ‘v’

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Hermit thrush

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Catharus guttatus

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neither visceral nor guttural, ethereal

tip-toe in tree tops

air pulled into taffy thread

a flute in the forest

froth on a wave

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rain trembles on leaf tips

guttation drops on strawberry

a lifted curtain of mayflower

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I saw you there

hidden in the thicket 

and I followed

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climb the ladder and sing

then step to the rung below

heads up, thoughts of the new day

parting of the beak

pulse at the throat

hairs lift

at the nape

of the neck, fingers

warble the keys

between middle and ring

catharsis

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Copyright  2016  Jane Tims

 

 

 

Written by jane tims

July 1, 2016 at 7:00 am

Posted in bird song, writing

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within easy reach – another chance to win a painting

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You will recall that earlier this month I held a draw to win the cover art for my book of poetry within easy reach. Carol Steel, a fellow blogger, was the winner of the painting !  http://carolsteel5050.blogspot.ca/

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This is to remind you that I am holding a draw to win another painting — ‘berries and brambles’ (18”x 14”, acrylic, gallery edges, unframed). Anyone who has purchased my book from me or my publisher, Chapel Street Editions, has already been entered in the draw. This includes the blog comment folk who entered the earlier draw.

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berries and brambles~

There is still time to enter to win the painting! Just purchase my book within easy reach between now and June 30, 2016 from me or my publisher!  http://www.chapelstreeteditions.com

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The draw will be held in mid-July at my book signing and workshop at the 8th Annual Free School at Falls Brook Center in New Brunswick. http://fallsbrookcentre.ca/wp/events2/8th-annual-free-school/

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Copyright Jane Tims 2016

Written by jane tims

June 23, 2016 at 7:15 am

Posted in picking berries, within easy reach

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‘within easy reach’ – cover art

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This is reminder that I am offering a chance to win the painting ‘brambles’ on the cover of my book ‘within easy reach’. The last day to enter is June 7, 2016.

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The draw for the painting will take place at the launch for my book, on Thursday June 9, 2016 at Westminster Books in Fredericton (7 PM).  I’ll let everyone know who won the painting on Friday, June 10.

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Those who entered for the draw are also entered in another draw to win another painting ‘berries and brambles’. Anyone who has purchased a book from me or the publisher is entered for this second draw, to take place June 30, 2016.

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'within easy reach' 2016 Jane Spavold Tims

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To win the cover art ‘brambles’, you have to do three things.

  1. Purchase my book through my publisher’s website  (www.chapelstreeteditions.com)
  2. Leave a comment on any of my Blogs (www.nichepoetryandprose.wordpress.com or www.janetims.com or www.janetimsdotcom.wordpress.com) with the words ‘within easy reach’ somewhere in the comment
  3. Be prepared to send me, via email, a scan of your purchase receipt.

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The cover painting ‘brambles’ is done in acrylics, size 10″ by 10″, with gallery edges.

February 29, 2016 'brambles' Jane Tims

February 29, 2016 ‘brambles’ by Jane Tims

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Your name will be entered once for each book purchased. The contest will run for the first five weeks following the publication date of within easy reach  (until June 7, 2016). At the end of the contest, anyone who has purchased a book from the publisher and left the comment as described above will be entered for the draw.

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I hope you will enjoy my book. And some reader will be the winner of the painting ‘brambles’!

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Copyright Jane Tims 2016

Written by jane tims

June 6, 2016 at 10:46 pm

Posted in growing and gathering, within easy reach

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update: my book ‘within easy reach’

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Now that my book is available, I am lined up for some readings.  It’s the perfect time of year since people in New Brunswick are turning their attention to gathering fiddleheads, to gardening and to their preparations for strawberry season.

IMG193_crop

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My book is available through my publisher Chapel Street Editions (www.chapelstreeteditions.com), at Westminster Books in Fredericton and at my readings.

Location, date and time of the readings:

  • Miramichi, Rodd Miramichi Hotel, Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick, WordSpring, book sale and readings May 27, 2016 (Friday) at 7:30.
  • Woodstock, L.P. Fisher Library, June 2, 2016 (Thursday) at 6:30.
  • Fredericton, Westminster Books, book launch with fellow poet Edith Miller, June 9, 2016 (Thursday) at 7:00.
  • Fredericton, York Regional Library, reading, last week in June, to be announced.

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Remember, if you would like to be included in a draw for the painting on the cover of my book, you have until June 7, 2016 to enter.

To get your name in the draw, you have to do three things:

  1. Purchase my book through my publisher’s website  (www.chapelstreeteditions.com)
  2. Leave a comment on any of my Blogs (www.nichepoetryandprose.wordpress.com or www.janetims.com or www.janetimsdotcom.wordpress.com) with the words ‘within easy reach’ somewhere in the comment
  3. Be ready to send me, via email, a scan of your purchase receipt.

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The cover painting ‘brambles’ is done in acrylics, size 10″ by 10″, with gallery edges.

'brambles' Jane Tims

February 29, 2016 ‘brambles’ Jane Tims

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I hope you will love my book, as much as I loved creating the poems and drawings!

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Copyright 2016 Jane Tims

Written by jane tims

May 25, 2016 at 4:00 pm

Posted in growing and gathering, within easy reach

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‘within easy reach’ … a poetry book about wild edibles and local foods

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all about my new book:

within easy reach by Jane Spavold Tims

(with a foreword by Freeman Patterson)

Chapel Street Editions, Woodstock

www.chapelstreeteditions.com

May 2016

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'within easy reach' 2016 Jane Spavold Tims

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includes poems and pencil drawings about

eating local foods and gathering wild edible plants

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'picking fiddleheads'

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poetry about picking berries, gathering herbs and roots, gardening, fishing

local markets, beekeeping and salad greens

explores how easy it is to bring local foods into your diet

and

considers the barriers to eating local and gathering wild foods

explores abandoned gardens

poisonous berries and berries in bottles

includes poems about our history of eating wild foods

and about New Brunswick’s special local foods:

maple syrup and fiddleheads

coastal plants like goosetongue greens and samphire

land-locked salmon 

notes on each plant – characteristics and uses

seventeen pencil drawings

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IMG331_crop

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this book will remind you of your own experiences picking berries

a tribute to every age of our lives – dancing in the school gym and picking berries with arthritic hands

it will recall the habits of your ancestors

a beautiful book – rests open in your hands as you read

a font so easy on the eyes

I hope you will love within easy reach

~

Jane Tims

2016

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Written by jane tims

May 23, 2016 at 12:01 pm

Posted in within easy reach

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‘within easy reach’ – a chance to win the cover art

with 16 comments

This is reminder that I am offering a chance to win the painting on the cover of my book ‘within easy reach’.

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'within easy reach' 2016 Jane Spavold Tims

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To win this painting, you have to do three things.

  1. Purchase my book through my publisher’s website  (www.chapelstreeteditions.com)
  2. Leave a comment on any of my Blogs (www.nichepoetryandprose.wordpress.com or www.janetims.com or www.janetimsdotcom.wordpress.com) with the words ‘within easy reach’ somewhere in the comment
  3. Be prepared to send me, via email, a scan of your purchase receipt.

~

The cover painting ‘brambles’ is done in acrylics, size 10″ by 10″, with gallery edges.

February 29, 2016 'brambles' Jane Tims

February 29, 2016 ‘brambles’ by Jane Tims

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Your name will be entered once for each book purchased. The contest will run for the first five weeks following the publication date of within easy reach  (until June 7, 2016). At the end of the contest, anyone who has purchased a book from the publisher and left the comment as described above will be entered for the draw.  I will notify the winner and let the readers of the blog know who has won.

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I hope you will enjoy my book. And some reader will be the winner of the painting ‘brambles’!

~

Copyright Jane Tims 2016

Written by jane tims

May 11, 2016 at 2:02 pm

Posted in growing and gathering, within easy reach

Tagged with , , , , ,

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