Collen Tree Press

Collen Tree Press announces the winner of its 2009 Chapbook Competition: Brian Carroll Billings' Figures in a Naphtha Light

now available - to order send $15.00 to Collen Tree Press, 2914 170th St, South Amana, IA 52334

an excerpt from the book-

Solace for a Whittler's Mother

His hands have been heavy

since his logging job dissolved

but today his palms lift

on pulls from inspiring strings

touching the knife and the branch; he's moved  

from hazel to elder along

to warm brown cedar

from the mountain's foot

where his calling came-

where the venerable mill fell.

His slouching form shaves my care.

His lips quirk, and he channels

pain into grain again and again

while his boot heel taps

beats for the wood's tune.

How generously the blade sings!

Every flick sends up a chord-

slivers and chips and dust

raining perpetual potential

on the morning's mist.

I shouldn't interfere, but I must

tell him how his craft compels 

my hope.  Before I can touch

his lowered shoulder, he hands

me a waterfalling Gypsy flower.