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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 10, 2012)
in other words/in case you missed it april10 2012 By Lynn Berry Here, in the Pacific Northwest, April gently brushes us with the beginnings of spring. Fresh buds, new blooms, and the shift in the air moves us along into the next season. In nature, as in art, and as in life, each one of us has the opportunity, if we are willing, to consciously experience the variable shifts each of these elements brings. For example, I have had the honor and opportunity to observe some of the people in my life moving through their own season of beginning and re-creation. For example, one of my friends is grieving the death of her life-long husband, a few are rebuilding their lives after divorce, another is experiencing re-marriage in her 70’s, another has just given birth, and another has moved across the States, looking to re-create her life. Each are walking profoundly different paths, yet each has the unification of wholly knowing the immense courage and surrender it takes to face a complete new chapter in their lives. In each case, change has been a catalyst for deeper meaning and understanding of themselves and of others. Surrendering to life’s twists and turns moves us from fear to faith, from despair to hope, which helps us to discover our purpose and direction in this world. i lean forward full of the possibility, the hope of color, growth, warmed soil and being loose of the chill of this garden’s long winter. -----------Maryanne Radmacher Illustrated in the poem above, by Maryanne Radmacher, to “lean forward” (1) with “possibil- ity”(3) and “hope”(4) emerges from experiencing the difficult times in of our lives, and wanting to be desperately free of “the chill of this / long winter 19 (7,8). The “hope” and possibility” moves us from the dark to into the light, as we desper- ately want and need our lives to rebirth and expand in new directions. Yet, our essential de- velopment and growth stems from experienc- ing, fully, the winter seasons in our lives. ---Writer’s Idea: Write about what you have discovered about yourself after a difficult time or transition in your life. What strengths have you gained from this transition? ---Writer’s Tip: Make a commitment to write everyday this week. ---We would love to publish your poems!!!! Please send your original submissions to, (or if you would like a copy of any of the published poems) InkwellVernonia@gmail. com or by mail: PO Box 333 Vernonia, OR 97064. Please include your name and contact information. Write--Express--Expand. Lynn Berry holds an M.A. in English, specializing in feminist literature and literary criticism. She has spent several years teaching Literature, Composition, Poetry, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking at various school districts and colleges, and occasionally provides writing workshops. Easter Egg Hunt Farm & Home Supply ALL Your Indoor Gardening Supplies Outdoor Gardening Supplies Soils, Nutrients, Additives Animal Feeds Albers, Purina, Allegra Sr Horse, Strategy Horse Exclusive Dog & Cat feed - Buy 6, Get 7th Free Wild & Domestic Bird seed Animal Health products New Zealand Fence Systems Chicks Here Soon! Call to order Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace Gale’s Upholstery Custom Orders Motorcycle & Equipment Seats Furniture & Auto Call for a free quote Tues - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 19340 Biggs Rd. Vernonia, OR 97064 (503) 429-6481 (1 mile north on Hwy 47)
