Thomas Gray said, "Poetry is thoughts that breathe and
words that burn." Others may say that poets are Dreamers
and Drifters living among their imaginings that Jitter
and Shimmer. Some consider poetry to be the Helium
of human Creation, allowing us to rise like the voices
singing Old Time Music and Sacred Songs in unison.
Whatever brought you to this anthology, we welcome you
to experience the thoughts expressed in the words of these
ten Missouri poets.
It has been a joy to sample the variety and breadth of talent
represented here. Poetry allows each writer a vehicle of
self-expression, allows the reader a window into the poet's
sensibilities. Whether an expression of joy as in Barbara
Leonhard's poem, Early Spring Snow, "still, the birds will
sing.....as though they are free". Or Anand Prahlad's self-
reflection in Mana, "I am myself the dance of no movement/
sunrise on the desert", poetry has a way of calling us to
ourselves.
Poets ask uncomfortable questions, make statements of
truth we may wish to ignore as Aurora Athelyn does in
her poem The Four Seasons on Lana'i - "CATTLE XING
sign hangs obsolete, reminding the island what happens
to invasive species". Terry Allen reflects on his brother's
transition to assisted living in Flying Squirrels Can't Really
Fly, "His memories thin fragments of torn fabric".
Then there are the reminiscent ramblings of Ben Kuzemka,
as he lays his thoughts of Madelyn "who would have killed
Kobe to be Kobe" on the page. And Nancy Jo Allen's
expression of loss in her poem, The Day She Was Born, "...
she survived, but is now separated from me without a life
line". Walter Bargen, Missouri's first poet laureate proclaims,
"in the house of words, your tongue is a hammer" in his
poem, Home Crucifixion #1.
In Rough-Cut Elegies, my fellow Missouri poets have
shared their hearts, their souls and this anthology invites
you into their worlds. I guarantee you will find a poem
you love, a poet you want to hear more from and a deep
appreciation of the poets of Missouri. Thank you, Jason
Ryberg and Spartan Press. It has been an honor.
-Sharon SingingMoon
