THE REVIEW

DEDICATED SUMMER SCRIBES

Crystal, Charity and Luke joined me for a Meeting on Wednesday, which was both the longest day of the year and the first day of summer. We did decide that the Rams will continue to meet during the summer months this year. I don’t know if that was so much because we are all such dedicated, enthusiastic writers as because none of us were planning to go away on vacation this summer! So if persistence pays off for writers, we should be on the right track.

Charity read first, the next chapter showing Trixie waiting on a ledge for an hour after the posse leaves. She felt dirty and in need of a bath. She heads for a hideout her Pa used to go to and on the way finds a secluded pool. She strips and bathes but then is attacked by a mountain lion. She fights back with a knife and kills it, and she is left badly injured. This chapter was fraught with tension and the reader will keep turning pages to find out what happens next to Trixie.

Luke read to us of Goren waking up on the mountain to find the celiat has left him. He packs up and takes an easier route home, now that he isn’t tracking anything. When he arrives home, he finds the house empty and with his parents and his sister all away. He falls asleep with his boots on, but awakes to the ground shaking. This leaves us wanting to know what’s causing the shaking, an earthquake or invading troops?

Chrystal read a poem called “Stutter” which exemplifies how words (or sounds) can keep repeating inside the head without being able to speak them out loud and communicate deep emotions that are felt.

I read the last “Honey” story in my collection, which is called “Locked Out” and tells of Honey usurping my space in the den and my thinking I’m being blocked from doing any writing. But then I use that time to sit with my printed manuscript and do some editing with my red pen. Charity said it reminded her of a similar situation at her house lately. It’s wonderful if we have our own space to write in, but if we are dedicated writers we should be able to write anywhere, with any tools available. That’s what I keep telling myself anyhow.

With time still left in the Meeting, we segued into reading our own poetry, except for Luke, who says he doesn’t write poetry.

Charity read “This Old Tree” about an old tree that stands strong in the wind.

Crystal read “Open Up”, talking about her mother’s tongue of razor blades, her father’s chest being cut open, and through all the pain and despair and destruction, still feeling alone. Very haunting. The next poem she read was a rhyming one called “About Me”, trying to define herself.

I read “The Question Of Love” which lists all the myriad ways that love can manifest and is always different with each person loved. Then I read “Sweet Betrayal” about a man’s misplaced devotion to the lady in the bottle (alcohol) and how she slayed him.

I told those present about a used bookery/coffee shop I discovered in Aldergrove called Book’N’Bean. Nice ambience where you can browse the books, buy a coffee and sit and read. You can also trade in your used books for credit on buying other used books. They are at 27103 Fraser Highway. Keep them in mind if you are in that area or need an afternoon getaway.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, July 5th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place that now sports a bright blue door. Can’t miss it! Have a Happy Canada Day in the meantime!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author