Vanessa Shields's Blog, page 36
June 3, 2021
Poem 154 – Through This & The Joy of Editing TONIGHT!
Through this
my heart is this:
tectonic to yours
the swollen pressure
of loving you
returned in this lifetime
oh how ancient our desire
how thorough our devotion
this know: constant storms of
blissful starlight spreading heat
on this morning’s tentative turn from the dark
I hold you through the shift in time
repeat my promises in whispered hymns
remind us that each time we quake through
change our sacred union deepens
TONIGHT!
We’re sooo excited to share our editing journey with you! We’ve got a fancy powerpoint with exciting info and images; *free book giveaways* and an opportunity for you to ask us anything!
REGISTER ASAP!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
June 2, 2021
Poem 152 – Playing & Tomorrow – The Joy of Editing!
Playing
autological
such erudite english words
magniloquent [indeed]
For poetic inspiration this morning, I searched ‘five syllable word’.
Research: autological
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52927/17-words-describe-themselves
Except, Merrium-Webster says it’s not a word at all! https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autological, however, it does define autologous: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autologous
And…magnlioquent means: Grandiose and pompous.
Now, my brain hurts. (I’m feeling cephalalgia.)
The Joy of Editing Tomorrow at 7pm!
So, here’s a sneak peek at one of the things we’ll be sharing at our virtual book tour event tomorrow night: the editorial evolution of a poem! Are you intrigued?! Good – please join us as we talk about the writer/editor relationship and the joys of editing!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thank you to the League of Canadian Poets for a grant for this event!
June 1, 2021
Poem 152 – Whole & The Joy of Editing – This Thursday!
Whole
Are we meant to see the whole picture?
I mean, how often do you stand naked in front of a full-length mirror
& stare at your whole body?
Most days it’s the face – a lean in to examine a wrinkle or quick nostril check
Perhaps a medium view boobs shoulders neck face
Judging the tautness of the skin on your arms
Counting your chins as you brush your teeth: spit rinse wipe
Pandemic life has made our mirrors lonely
Or maybe they too are enjoying the quieting of our demon voices
For less looking means kinder mind chatter?
Maybe this break is the perfect time to get naked, after all?
To super-hero flex your arms in tight half-circles
Push your belly & slap it jovially
Turn to the side & admire your bum
That thing so useful these days
Might you jump up & down?
Marvel at the ripple effect of your skin jiggling?
When you laugh, see what it does to your whole body
Holy – it could be a spiritual awakening this whole picture
This all-inclusive equal giving of attention to your forest
To each of your trees to your roots & your flexibility in the storm
Please join us! This Thursday, June 3, 2021 7pm!
Reading & Discussion with Vanessa Shields and Editor/Poet Abigail Roelens about the writer/editor relationship and all its joys!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thank you to the League of Canadian Poets for a grant for this event!
May 31, 2021
Poem 151 – Mini-Ode to Finishing Reading an Incredible Book
Mini-Ode to Finishing Reading an Incredible Book
when it happens I call it out
to the sofas & the rug
to the dust & the dogs
to the flowered curtains &
the green & yellow plants
to the kids to the husband
to anyone & any thing
with an ability to soak
I finished reading my book!
reading a book is an unbeaten path
come to stay in the house of my body
for days or weeks
for hours or minutes
the book lives in my veins
at once the final black letters
wrap into endings – the bags
are packed & the book stands
rigid at the door
sometimes it is a relief
to view the leaving
other times it is a poor match
& the visit ends abruptly without conclusion
but the best times are when the book
lingers in the foyer of my heart
implanting –
I fein having lost the key to
unlock the door so it can go
I finished reading a book!
just now…
& my heart is fat
swollen against the frame
of ribs like wet pages between covers
it will remain this one
forever I’ve decided
imprisoned with the others
I dare not bid adieu
settle in dear friend
I coo – join the ranks
there will be tie before
these veins embrace another
for now they are ripe with you
(I bow down in thanks)
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
This is the book that inspired the poem above. It was gifted to me by Charis Cotter, writer of ghost stories, lover of ghost stories…and goodness, this is one ghost story I’ll never let leave me. Thank you, Charis!
And oh! I’ve just discovered that a film has been made starring the great Olivia Coleman and Vanessa Redgrave. Yay!
What book(s) have you finished reading that are now implanted in your heart?
May 30, 2021
Poem 150 – to step aside & the Joy of Editing & submissions
to step aside
slow & steady wins the race
except I’m not in a race & I get that now
oh, what sweet relief to let my arms
drop to my side
to weaken the heaving &
expand the intake of breath
what conscious exaltation to step aside
but keep stepping forward backward sideways
to sit or roll down a hill into oblivion of observation
& float on contemplation
nod to mermaids & slide my palm
over the vibrant grey of bumpy humpback whale belly
oh, the braille of mammal skin!
I am learning to read to heed the secrets
of this flavour of Time
This Thursday! Virtual Book Tour Next Stop – Montreal!
Join us! Editor Abigal Roelens and I talk about our editorial relationship and bringing Thimbles to her best life! Learn about what makes a stellar editor and how to be an empowered writer! Please register for the webiner!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thank you to the League of Canadian Poets for a grant for this event!
Submission calls, um that end tomorrow!
CBC Poetry Prize: Deadline tomorrow! Huge prizes and mad props. I submit every year…shall you join me? Nope, it’s not free.
HERE’S THE SUBMISSION INFO:
https://www.cbc.ca/books/literaryprizes/calling-all-poets-the-cbc-poetry-prize-is-now-open-1.5968467
Canadian Authors Association – Niagara Region: The 36th Annual Banister Poetry Contes
The Niagara Branch of Canadian Authors is holding its annual contest for residents of Ontario. All poems must be in English and previously unpublished. Entry fee is $15 for three poems and $4 for each additional poem (no epics please). Number of entries is unlimited. Prizes are: 1st: $300; 2nd: $200; 3rd $100.
For details: www.canauthorsniagara.org/poetry-contest/
Deadline is May 31st, 2021 (posted by date).
This year’s judge is Dr.Elspeth Cameron.
May 29, 2021
Poem 149 – baby born
baby born
new birth explosion
wind is wild celebration
nature speaks our love
Thank you!Thank you everyone for the *amazing* birthday wishes for Jett and I! Your love, generosity and joy has overflowed into today…and tomorrow for sure! We are grateful for our family and friends. Love is real and true and beautiful! Thank you!
May 28, 2021
Poem 148 – on sharing the same birthday with my son
On sharing the same birthday with my son
possessed by love
riveted by miracles
convulsing in the painful thrusting trust
of my woman’s body to release a child –
this work of delivering lasts beyond the 27 hours
it took to move him from my womb to my chest
parts of me were demolished & rebuilt
now I repeat this destruction to make room for more love
it is all a letting go that ignites hot tears in my eyes
my blurry sight can be frightening – yet there is no other way to love
it is a possession of phenomenal possessions
repetitions of undoing & extraordinary reconstructions I choose
these umbilical cords I tether to my heart
expand strengthen & stretch
we keep hold of each other
we do the birthing work together now
Today, we eat cake.
Celebrate each other. Give thanks. Make candle-blown wishes for dreams as big as a universe.
HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY, GOOSE!
May 27, 2021
Poem 147 – Remembering birth & more
Tomorrow Jett and I celebrate our birthdays! I can’t help but think about where I was, what my body was doing/feeling, how close we were to meeting the giant-sized baby in my belly…that fateful May 27th, 2006 when we had no idea what was ahead…but for the dream coming true of birthing a child. And, today we call out the major events….my water broke! We went to the hospital! We danced to Madonna in the birthing room!….and tomorrow, we will sit together and I will recount Jett’s birth story…the long journey of his arrival. It is a tradition! It’s an honour share a birth day with such an extraordinary human bean.
Me taking an artsy photo of my belly. 
Me in hospital, about 5 hours into a very slow labour! Poetry working its magic in the community….As we continue to move past the pandemic, glimmers of art show up at vaccination centres and community spaces in the form of poetry! Thank you Christopher for sharing these photos you too of two of my Resilience poems! I hope they are bringing magic and hope!
Next Wednesday! The Joy of Editing!
Have you registered to join us yet? Please do! We look forward to talking about our writer/editor love story with you!
Reading & Discussion with Vanessa Shields and Editor/Poet Abigail Roelens about the writer/editor relationship and all its joys!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thank you to the League of Canadian Poets for a grant for this event!
It’s a thing! Take a look at Newfoundland writer Charis Cotter’s bookfomercial on her latest middle-grade kids’ book, The Dollhouse. You bet it’s another stellar and spooky ghost story!
May 26, 2021
Poem 146 – Voicing the Full Moon & Open Book Ontario & Tour Update
Voicing the Full Moon
read poetry out loud today
just do it
I triple dog dare you
read poetry out loud today
the full moon needs to hear the magic of poetry’s
rhyme & meter & metaphor & pain & devotion & confusion &
love & love & love
because: eclipse
the moon – great hunk of pock-faced light
slides into earth’s shadow & bleeds there
this May Flower moon red with sun’s extravagant heat
super-sharing behind it
the full moon needs to hear your voice
words licked by poets old & new
dead & alive your mouth gaping
grasping giving melody so the moon knows to
survive this devastating phenomenon
so the moon believes in its moon-ness
embraces each voicing each frication each plosion
each extraordinary silence between your mouth’s turbulent unleashing
poetry is muscle in the body of the universe
connecting each part so it can function thrive
play hide & seek
so pick up your books
or grab your pens
search & find & write then
stand sure-footed
(naked, if you desire, the moon loves a supple breast)
dip into dipthongs
lash out liquids
gentle glide
nail nasals
volume increase vowels
just please
read poetry out loud today
the full moon needs to hear its earth’s heartbeat
thump off your tongue
so it remembers how to shine
you need that too, don’t you?
INTERVIEW W/ OPEN BOOK!
Thank you, Open Book for engaging with me in this q & a about my writing life! Oh, have you not heard of Open Book yet? Well, here is your introduction! Open Book is the province’s premiere location for all things literary. From celebrating new book releases, to writers-in-residence, to guest posts, to navigating the landscape of our literary hearts – Open Book is here for you!
To read my Going Pros & Cons interview, CLICK HERE! Then be sure to spend some time on the website and discover all that Open Book has to offer!
The Business of Dreams Virtual Event – postponed
After an emotional conversation yesterday, Stephanie and I decided to postpone our upcoming virtual event wherein we were planning to discuss living the dream of opening small businesses for our writing communities. With the continued onslaught of pandemic restrictions and/or shifts and shakes to opening conditions, our ‘dreams’ for our writing rooms are in flux. So, we’re holding our hearts in wait and hope as we continue to go with the turbulent flow of our current situations.
We hope that our new date will come by the fall, and that, WAIT FOR IT…we can do it in person! Face to face! Voice to voice. Body to body. So, thank you for your patience and understanding. We are doing our best to keep our dreams alive for our writing rooms.
To find out the incredible events that are happening at the Detroit Writing Room, please click here.
Gertrude’s Writing Room remains closed.
May 25, 2021
Poem 145 – Stonefish & The Joy of Editing
Stonefish
Synaceai verracosa
Completely camouflaged among coral & reef
this aqua monster waits
with thirteen spines each chunk a precise needle
nestled between sacks of lethal venom
all it takes is a little pressure for the poison to release
A murderer?
A sadist?
Nay, an ambush predator born to protect its gnarly self
What is the lesson here?
Tread lightly in shallow waters of the Red Sea?
Too much pressure on a things causes venomous release?
Self protection is a death trap?
Yesterday I was camouflaged as a mother
my spine rigid with worry
slick with self-protection
my stonefish tendencies bloated in the afternoon heat
luckily there was no pressure but my own
to return to my true self: writer
A murderer? Perhaps
A sadist? Potentially
When the page pushes down
I am water
I am coral
I am stonefish
Research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8yJkIuvPvM
Thank you Montgomery, for bringing the stonefish to my attention!
NEXT WEEK’S EVENT!
Reading & Discussion with Vanessa Shields and Editor/Poet Abigail Roelens about the writer/editor relationship and all its joys! *INCLUDES GIVEAWAYS & Q&A!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 7:00PM – 8:30PM EST
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jun 3, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Thimbles: the Joy of Editing
Register in advance for this webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ORzI_8mcTxyeaWHISQhbjA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Thank you to the League of Canadian Poets for a grant for this event!
