Spotlight On Writers
Beachglass
- Where do you originate from?
I spent my formative years in the Midwest but have called Southwest Florida home for the majority of my lifetime. Although I do miss the seasonal changes the Midwestern region of the United States offers, Southwest Florida is rich in a culture and history of its own. The beautiful beaches and scenic local parks are picturesque, postcard-worthy. State parks are popular for sightseeing, and viewing Florida wildlife such as manatees and the great blue heron.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
Most people who live elsewhere in the United States, or even other parts of the world, are envious of Florida’s weather and climate. We experience almost an endless summer, so to speak, with very few cool days during the year. This aspect makes it possible to enjoy the beaches and parks year round, which is exactly what Florida is known for. I cherish walks on the beach with family during warm summer nights and exciting visits to local parks where there are many species of birds who migrate here every year to escape the cold weather back home.
- What ignites your creativity?
I write intuitively and find inspiration from the world around me, nature being the main source of this inspiration. Fortunately, the weather in Southwest Florida allows me to spend a great deal of time outdoors at parks and beaches or even walks through my own neighborhood. I am also inspired by music and film, as well as classic literature and novels.
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
I do have a favorite word, serendipity. It has been my favorite since I was a child.
Here I will create a careful haiku with this word:
serendipity
connecting with words and you
so happy we met
Serendipity is a favorite word because it can be used so simply or elegantly to enrich a piece of writing.
- What is your pet peeve?
I would admit that as a Florida native and nature lover, my biggest pet peeve is littering. Trash receptacles are almost always provided, and should be utilized. I have great admiration and respect for beach clean up crews and I am very adamant about keeping my neighborhood clear of trash and litter. If we all do our part, this simple task makes the world around us a more beautiful place to call home.
- How would you describe the essence of Beachglass?
The essence of beachglass can be described in a piece of prose I wrote several years ago entitled ‘ephemera, the story of beachglass.‘ This piece of writing is about the origins of my creative and intuitive writing projects.
our eyes met
in another lifetime
our weary souls entwined
I wrote your name
on a scrap of paper
and rolled it tightly
placed it safely in a bottle
then I threw it into
the ocean at night
when the moon was high
eventually,
the bottle washed ashore
a distant memory
a folklore
and through the years
it has endured
the scorching sun
hot sifting sand
and wave after wave
of a tumultuous sea
to become a beautiful
piece of beachglass
smooth as skin or teeth
a translucent keepsake
an elegy.
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