Here are links to my creative works accessible on the Internet.
Tag Archives: Writers
Year Eight of The Writing Life Begins
March 15th, 2004, our family suffered a loss–the death of my son, Adam. In my grieving, I reflected on my life and his life and thought: “What can I do with my life to honor him?” I had always believed myself a writer but struggled with discipline, leaving many things unlearned and unwritten. I thought back then: “If I can do “this one thing” to the best of my ability and honor (not neglect) my God-given gifts, then such a choice would be the best way I could honor Adam.”
Adam’s death, although hard to bear, was the catalyst for choosing to follow this life-path with dedication and passion. I have grown personally and have had numerous wonderful opportunities via The Writing Life. Dear Adam gave so much and continues to bless…gone from us almost 8 years. He would be 28 this year. Wow.
And although much of my posting on the Internet is self-promotion, I think it is important to share this story and the bountiful blessings I have had in these remarkable eight years. Self-promotion is necessary because I want you to read my creative works.
I want to move you with my poetry.
I have had many struggles—some from which many people could not recover. I have recounted many here in previous postings, if you want to look back. Right now I am looking forward which I believe is necessary for true healing.
I am grateful to God-Creator-Universal Force for Good-Power of Love or whatever it is that I do believe in for pulling me through, shoring up my confidence and for putting people in my path who have aided me with loving care, support and friendship.
I am excited about 2012. I am a mother of a 16-year-old who is smart and beautiful. She inspires me everyday. I am married to a loving, strong and honest man. I couldn’t ask for more, but for me there will be more in 2012—more writing, more reading, more learning and more teaching. The momentum is with me as I continue my lifework.
I am on a path and I do not allow much to divert me from it.
Thanks for reading.
~Clare
Sunrise From Blue Thunder
I just purchased and received “Sunrise From Blue Thunder,” the new poetry anthology edited and published by Pirene’s Fountain as a response to the Japan earthquake and tsunami. My poem “What Came After” appears in it. I’m honored to be included in this anthology with so many great poets. Sincere thanks to Katherine Herschler, Ami Kaye and Tracy McQueen, Japan Project editors.
*Proceeds go to ongoing relief efforts in Japan.*
Click here to order. Quick and easy via lulu!
Happy New Year Publication!
The January 2012 issue of Thrush Poetry Journal has just been released and I have a poem in it, “What Winter Told Me” alongside works by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, Lisa Marie Basile, Kat Dixon, Dennis Mahagin, M. G. Martin, Joseph A. W. Quintela, Jacob Rakovan, Richard Schiffman, Theresa Williams and Bill Yarrow.
Jacob Rakovan and I used to be in a writing group together years ago, I know him personally and think of him fondly, so this is a real kick to be in the same publication with him. He keeps a place on the web here.
Thanks to Editor-In-Chief, Helen Vitoria, for selecting my work and for bringing these beautiful works to the world.
A Gift
THE ROAD BEFORE US
Let us travel the road before us
and enter into the mystery of trees.
Let us find the sleeping doe
attentive and aware
of the ever-wolf. I will go
and find kindling. I will set
the fire that will engage us
and carry our heaviest thoughts
upward. Clouds dwindle.
Smoke trails us like a wraith.
I am caught in it. I rise
to the web of bleak branches,
to the very tops of trees.
Tonight leafless trees
are smothered with blackbirds.
This night-smoke
becomes the blackbird
rising to its highest—
Drifting embers smite the moon.
©2011 Clare L. Martin
A Blessing
”A Good Fire“
Blessings for all who are in need, and gratitude for the comforts we have and the life given to us.
~Clare
Coming Soon: News in the New Year
Happy holidays to you, your family and loved ones. Best wishes for a great new year!
In January, I will have exciting news to share. I can hardly keep it to myself now but I must. You will cheer with me, I hope, when you hear it.
I predict 2012 will be a momentous and thrilling year! Please stay tuned!
~Clare
What has my life taken out of your pocket?
I have made something.
(Although it is small and nearly imperceptible.)
It signifies my existence. It signifies
love I have given and received.
It signifies the things I have accepted
and that which I reject.
This lifework took years
and it has worn me.
I rise from bed dark mornings
because the desire to become
more real hunts me and haunts me—
even in sleep—that dark dance.
The desire to create is the desire
to become more real. It is the desire
to deepen understanding
of Self and Other.
I am ready again, again, again
to succumb; to give myself
over to the art engendered
within and without.
Occupy the Audience
This is me. Please enjoy.
Thanks to Jonathan Penton of Unlikely Stories and to Cite des Arts.
In the Rear-View Mirror
The Writing Life Year 2011
Thanks to all of the editors, hosts, friends who have supported me this year and for many years through our literary endeavors.
Nominee, Sundress Publication’s Best of the Net 2011, nonfiction category, for “The White Crane,” by Referential Magazine
Nominee, Dzanc Books’ Best of the Web 2011 for “Winter Brought Out All the Knives,” by Melusine: Woman in the 21st Century
Readings
Cite des Arts, Lafayette, LA November 4th
10th Annual New Orleans Book Fair, New Orleans, LA November 5th
The Maple Leaf, Everette C. Maddox Memorial Reading, November 6th
2012 DAF Grant Recipients Celebration
Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, October 24th
100 Thousand Poets for Change
Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA September 24th
Open Mic Series at Casa Azul
Featured Poet with Lana Wiggins, Grand Coteau, LA April 21st
Publications
“Note to Self” The Centrifugal Eye, April 2011
“Haunted” Referential Magazine, Spring 2011
“Lost” Redheaded Stepchild, Spring 2011
“The Bird in My Ribcage” Redheaded Stepchild, Spring 2011
“How it Comes” A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Vol. 1, Issue 1
“Meditation on Intimations of Winter II” A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Vol. 1, Issue 1
“Poem at Red Moon (Full August Moon)” Unlikely Stories, September 2011
“Secrets Alluded to But Never Told” Unlikely Stories, September 2011
Press 53’s 2011 Spotlight anthology
“Eating the Heart First” first appeared in Eclectica Magazine
“Poem Composed After Reading Plath’s Ariel at a Junkyard”
“4-Way Stop at Dusk” first appeared in Farmhouse Magazine
“Tattoo” “first appeared in Press 1
“Life Expectancy” first appeared in Blood Lotus
“I Have Learned To Hold My Tongue”
“To His Disquiet We Owe Recompense” first appeared in the Dead Mule
“Punishment”
“Starving Horses” first appeared in the Dead Mule
“The Gift” first appeared in the Dead Mule
In addition, I signed on as a Teaching Artist with the Acadiana Center for the Arts. I have high hopes that this will be a rewarding opportunity.
Looking Ahead:
2012
“What Winter Told Me” THRUSH, forthcoming January 2012
“Seeing Through” blue five notebook, forthcoming April 2012
“Ink on a Mirror” Louisiana Literature, forthcoming 2012
“Convergence” Louisiana Literature, forthcoming 2012
