A retired teacher and mother of three adult children, I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida with my soulmate, Robert. Leisure activities include discussing current events with Robert, watching movies, and playing Scrbble. Robert usually wins!
I also enjoy going to the beach and taking road trips with my daughters. One of our favorite pastimes is observing the wonderful wildlife that surrounds us.
I keep busy writing poetry, and I would be delighted if you visited my website!
Published by Ingrid Wilson Experiments in Fiction Publishing
In the Shadow of Rainbows
by
Selma Martin
In the Shadow of Rainbows is a delightful and profoundly thoughtful collection of poems. Selma Martin’s inner light radiates from every sparkling page.
Selma Martin’s lively, colorful word choices enrich her writing. From scientific references to literary allusions, from interntional slang to quaint, archaic expressions, words flow harmoniously in her poems.
Throughout the book, you will find exquisite imagery. Inspiration comes from nature: ocean, sky, sunlight, moonlight, stars, flora, fauna, and of course, shadows and rainbows.
Butterflies appear in many poems. In “Instinct,” a pregnant butterfly becomes a beautiful metaphor for motherhood.
In “Poetry,” the poet writes about nature:
I came out to write a nature poem,
but of poetry writing, I learned this
in attempting to write, I must fuse with it,
for in nature, the poet exists
Selma Martin’s humanity illuminates everything she writes. In a poem about a father’s hopes for his sons, “Compass,” there is a beautiful line, “as for all son’s, there exists hope.”
“Golden Durability” speaks to us about material values vs. spiritual values, pointing out that an heirloom is a legacy of love.
“Little Vessel” is an eloquent, sensitive reflection on the death of a missing child. it expresses a wide range of emotions and ends with heart-touching empathy.
The poet’s words inspire readers to be their best selves and to live a life of purpose and love for others. “Extra” reminds us that we have a personal responsibility for our lives:
On this day given to you by the giver
put the squanderer to rest
call forth the sower of hope
and from within, bring out your best.
“When Death Comes” reveals the author’s personal perspective on how life should be lived:
When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy
knowing that the world I leave
is better for the love I gave.
In the Shadow of Rainbows is surely one of Selma Martin’s most loving gifts to the world! ❤
Congratulations to Selma on the success of her book, In the Shadow of Rainbows, number one best-seller on Amazon in multiple categories!
Congratulations to Ingrid Wilson and EIF, Experiments in Fiction Publishing!
If you have not yet read Selma’s inspiring new book, a beautiful and moving experience awaits you!
Work songs are traditional songs found in many cultures that coordinate the efforts of people working together. They also provide relief from monotony and form bonds among workers.
I first became aware of work songs as a nine-year old piano student learning to play “The Volga Boatmen.” As a young adult working in a clothing factory and in a printing company, I heard other workers singing along with Loretta Lynne and Elvis Presley as they did their routine work.
Here are some examples of work songs:
Wellerman (Sea Shanty)
Nathan Evans
Pick a Bale of Cotton
Lead Belly
The Song of the Volga Boatmen
(in English and Russian, with beautiful paintings)
For a cautiously optimistic view of saving our planet, go to YouTube and type “Chasing Carbon Zero/PBS/NOVA/Full Documentary.” in the search bar. This worked for me. (When I tried posting the URL, there was a message that the video was unavailable.)
Arctic terns at Ten Thousand Islands, one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. The green shrub on the left is a mangrove, and the green in the distance is a very large mangrove island. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Birds Fishing in the Mangrove Forest
Rocky
mangrove island,
safe perch for arctic terns.
Inches above the waves, they find
refuge.
Osprey, also called a fish hawk, feeding its chicks. Photo by Richard Lee on Unsplash.
Mangroves
create islands,
green in a sea of blue.
Ospreys soar majestically in
blue skies.
Anhinga, also called a snake bird for its long neck. Photo by Mac Weaver from Unsplash.
Streamlined,
anhinga dives
to fish underwater,
spreads water-soaked wings to dry in
sunshine.
Great egret flying and two snowy egrets wading in the water. Photo by William Foley from Unsplash.
Snow white
egrets stand motionless,
fishing in the shallows,
alert, their long, sharp beaks poised to
spearfish!
Pelican in Everglades National Park near Ten Thousand Islands. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Sunset,
pelican flies
at Ten Thousand Islands.
Seeking a little bedtime snack,
he dives!
Pelican flying near Ten Thousand Islands at Everglades National Park. Photo by Ellen Maher.
Please Note: This post was written from my own experiences in Florida. I learned about environmental topics from news and documentaries, and I did some basic research while writing poems about Florida animals. I am not a scientist, just a retired elementary school teacher who cares about the environment.
It’s a big world! Please feel free to provide additional information from your experiences and perspective in the comments. Thank you. 🙂
Gulf Coast Poet 