Meet Marilyn Richardson of Dixie Poets

A retired dance educator who moved to Southern Utah in 1994, Marilyn says. “Walking in the red dirt, reading and travel, all hold great appeal as does writing. My primary focus is writing books for children and YA and five of these are now available on kindle, with more to be added soon. She has served as President of the League of Utah Writers as well as the St. George Heritage Writers Guild chapter president three times. “I came to poetry because a friend needed a ride. Fellow poets were encouraging, so I do a little of that, too. I’ve heard that writers ought to concentrate on one genre, but I find I can’t do that.” Marilyn will be speaking at the Redrock Writers Seminar on March 5 in St. George. More info redrockwriters.org

           Medea
            By Marilyn W. Richardson

 

            With trembling fury
          she paints the cloak and crown,
          filling each fold and recess
          with a sorceress’ fatal potion.

           Here, my husband, a gift for your new bride.
         I, your barbarian wife, though cast aside,
         accept my fate and flee to Aegeus in Athens.

           The enchantress, her spite hidden in fleece
           keeps eyes downcast lest Jason see her intent.

          When news comes of the fiery
         death of the young bride to be,
         Medea inhales her vengeance—
         a woman scorned, engorged
         with magical justice.

 
          Published in Utah Voices & Poetry on Canvas
         An artistic annual, 2012

Another successful UTSPS Workshop

Twenty-five poets from as far away as Lehi, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada enjoyed the UTSPS Workshop by Danielle Dubrasky of Southern Utah University on Sat Jan 23 in St. George Utah. It was a delightful day exploring "Metaphors and Symbolic Landscapes" that helped those poets attending expand their poetic expressions. A luncheon followed for those interested in attending at George's restaurant in downtown St. George.

Markay Brown of Redrock Writers was in charge of this successful fun workshop.

We had 25 in attendance who were excited to learn some new poetic techniques.

Intently listening then trying out their skills in creating a poem from landscape art.

This interesting artwork was a challenge with its symbolic elements as a stimulus

Danielle read some of her own poetry to finish off our session.

Lunch at George's and good conversations was a perfect ending to our workshop.

UTSPS Workshop with Danielle Dubrasky

Don't miss this UTSPS workshop in St. George featuring DANIELLE DUBRASKY, Associate Professor at Southern Utah University's English Department on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 am until noon in the St. George Library (larger community room downstairs).

She will present a workshop, “Metaphors and Symbolic Landscapes”and is a delightful teacher and poet.  Please plan to come. Free admission, bring a friend. We will meet afterward for a no-host luncheon with our speaker.

Meet KARMA WASDEN from Dixie Poets

Karma Wasden was born in St. George, Utah. She and her sisters were reared by parents who loved words. Their mother would recite poetry for literally hours as she taught her daughters homemaking skills.  Karma began writing poetry when she was twelve.  She married her high school sweetheart,  and they reared their seven children in Idaho.  After her children were raised, Karma completed BA and MA degrees from BYU.  She and her husband returned to St. George in 1999 to help care for their aging parents. During that time they both taught as adjunct faculty at Dixie State College (now University). 

PARKING LOT PAGEANT

Grackles strut across hot asphalt

peck at refuse and edible crumbs,

epicures choosing morsels

from a gourmand's banquet table.

Cock yellow eyes, measure

which riff-raff to snub,

flick black tails, like rudders

held in glossy, mock salute.

Dash to popcorn spills like celebrities

who posture for press and public.

Meet DONOVAN OBRAY of Ben Lomond Poets Chapter

Donovan Obray is a native of northern Utah. Born in Logan, he graduated from Weber High School and discovered his love of poetry while attending Norwich University, The Military College of Vermont, where he completed degrees in Mathematics and Physics and minored in English. He accepted an officer’s commission in the United States Air Force and honorably served in Space and Missile Operations, Public Affairs and AFROTC/Higher Education Administration. Additionally, Donovan has served as an Academic Director and a Senior Instructor for Park University where he taught English, Leadership, Management and Mathematics courses. He was a Peer Review Board member for “Insight, A Journal of Scholarly Teaching” from 2008-2011 and a panelist representing Poetry at the 2014 League of Utah Writers Symposium. Donovan is a former chapter president, and currently a board member of the Utah State Poetry Society.

TANKA POEMS

                        I

Frozen north winds wail

Through crushed pieces of my dreams.

Night grows colder still.

How can morning sunshine heat

My shattered heart and broke soul?

                        II

Snows feed mountain lakes.

Forests drink and green in spring.

Cherry blossoms bloom.

My teacup grows lovelier
From its cracks and golden glue.