Tag: Rachael Sylvia Lee

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Rachael Lee reads “Grandmother Moon”

EAVB_DUPZZUUAOM

Rachael Lee (and William) was kind enough to come to the park and sit in the wind to read her poem “Grandmother Moon”, featured in the groundbreaking (and currently available) WONK5.

Here are the results:

“Grandmother Moon”

Grandmother moon
enlighten my path
make clean my thoughts
and ease my task

Grandmother moon
generations have grown
from achievement to sacrifice
by the seeds you have sewn

Grandmother moon
though you watch us in silence
my heart breathes your love
and aches for your guidance

Grandmother moon
is thine heart made of stone
we know you are with us
and we be not alone

Grandmother moon
though your eye waxes and wanes
I hold you, revere you
and I remember your name

— Rachael Lee

On the poem, Rachael explains:

In the Cree culture, the moon is significant to women. It is powerful and constant. The lunar cycle rules the womans life, it IS power and literally the life-blood of our women. She is our grandmother, the moon.

This poem also parallels the relationship I had with my own grandmother who I lost four years ago this winter. She was a powerful source of comfort and knowledge. This poem started as an ache in my own heart, but grew into a declaration of love and remembrance.

Our cycle of mourning lasts four years and this poem was a way of letting go of the grief and celebrating what she meant to one of her many many grandchildren.

WONK5 features poems by Camille Martin, Rachael Sylvia Lee and Marita Dachsel; short prose from Thomas Trofimuk and Emily Rush; and artwork from Andrew Topel and Ian Pierce. If you’re in Wetaskiwin, stop by and grab a copy (and a coffee) or subscribe (print or online).

Alright so we’re trying different things here. Frans interviewed Marita. Jonathan started to talk about process. Amber and I made a video. I suppose we all will just keep trying. It’s fun. Just let us know if you have any ideas. Or submissions. Or just want to talk.

(The music in the video is by a truly inspiring piece of wax (“don’t sleep in the snow) –

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WONK5 Seeks Roommate Who Likes to Read

WONK5, after an arduous journey from the contributors’ pens to the eager hands of WONK editors, is now only one step away  from its new home. Some of the WONK5 progeny now sit in the Wetaskiwin library and others are being prepared (with a bonus addition) for mailing to subscribers and contributors. The only remaining step required to completely fulfill WONK5’s destiny is for you to go pick one up (or, for subscribers, to just sit and check the mail every couple of days to see if it’s there yet).

And, while you are sitting either waiting for the mail or basking in the after-glow of having just read WONK5, you might just think about picking up your own pen and finishing off that poem/story/drawing/moustache on your cat – that has been nagging at you – and sending it to us for WONK6. In fact, for this instalment, you don’t even need to type your submission (one less thing, right?). One of the themes that is gaining headway for WONK6 focuses on handwritten originals (scanned and emailed or real-mailed). With that in mind, it might just be time to brush off your pen to see if it still works. Other themes that are trailing, but only slightly, are letters (any type you can think of: correspondence, abcd, etc) and children’s literature. Of course, themes can only take you/us so far, so don’t feel too hemmed in by ours.

WONK

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Wonk-web gaining momentum and Wonk-ink5 nearly-almost ready.

March 28, 2010 – It’s official, wonk-web is going to be featuring an interview with the talented Edmontonian poet, Marita Dachsel.  In addition to the interview, wonkers can look forward to some provocative excerpts from her poetry as well as select previews from Wonk5.

On the analog/print end of things, we have several very talented people confirmed: poetry from Camille Martin, Rachael Sylvia Lee and Marita Dachsel; short prose from Thomas Trofimuk and Emily Rush; and artwork from Andrew Topel and Ian Pierce.  The print version of Wonk5 is shaping up to be released sometime in the next few days or so, with wonkweb coming shortly after – don’t worry though, we will let you know all about it when it happens.

Oh yeah, we also have a theme that is absolutely sure to bring deep meaning to all that you read in Wonk5. Unless, of course, it doesn’t. Then it will probably hinder your reading and make you wonder why we’ve imposed such a horrible thing on you. In case of the latter, or either, actually, feel free to disregard the theme altogether and just read the great stuff inside Wonk5. Here’s the theme:  family / connections / relationships, if it helps.

If you’ve forgotten where you can pick up a copy of wonk5, please see Lucas’ thorough yet non-authoritarian directions below.

  1. Pick them up for free at various places in Wetaskiwin (including the library, and Caelin Artworks) and Camrose (Merchants Tea House);
  2. Get them from a friend who has a copy of WONK who is either not looking or is finished reading, his mind sufficiently blown;
  3. Subscribe for free to the electronic version. Which has the same content but not same awesome layout and/or smell.
  4. Subscribe for a small fee. Have your own personal copy of each WONK (there will be 12) delivered right to your mailbox in all its paper and black and white (and maybe some colour) glory. Included in the envelope will be a) a few extra copies to do whatever it is you kids do with extra WONKS, b) a personal hand written letter from the editors or someone they have met and convinced to write a letter and c) any back issues that you don’t already have.