29 Comments
User's avatar
Imola's avatar

A beautiful and important reminder Jodi!

Dawna Allington's avatar

yes ♥️

Alegria de Rose's avatar

So beautiful Jodi. Thank you for these important reminders.

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you for reading Alegria!

Alegria de Rose's avatar

My pleasure Jodi.

Maureen Stephenson's avatar

lovely to be reminded Jodi, that each moment we always have a choice to look for beauty in this world

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Beautifully said! Thank you Maureen.

Doug Stuber, Poetry Publisher's avatar

My grandfather, on my mother's side, and part of the Iroqouis (Haudenosaunee) ,was said to be Heron Clan, Seneca (Onandowaga) Iroquois, Haudenosaunee. My cousins still farm the land granted to his great grandfther in the Canandaigua treaty of 1795. I live on Canandaigua lake, across from Bare Hill, the birthplace of the Onandowagans. Imagine my chagrin and interest when I found out the Heron Clan of Scotland was the one depicted in Braveheart. The book, however, has no relation to native mores, native traditoins, native spirituality, or any other subject, indigenous or otherwise. We pride ourselves in publishing poets from 19 different countries, and with poets as young as 17, and as well known as Ilya Kaminsky, Lola Haskins, Jaki Shelton Green and Ed Lyons. Each year I'm stunned by the poets who find us, and I often wonder how it all came to be. I admire your work, but we have six editors who all read every poem submitted. It would be great to read three unpublished poems by you.

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you for your kind words Doug, and for taking the time to explain this further. I appreciate the encouragement!

Susan Hickman's avatar

Such a beautiful poem for spring. Love the movement in it.

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you Susan!

Doug Stuber, Poetry Publisher's avatar

Poems from the Heron Clan accepts three poems and a 50-word bio for our annual international book (200-360 pages). Submit to katherinejamesbooks@gmail.com

We read in September and October with an October 30 deadline. Pay is one copy of the book

Ilya Kaminsky, Lola Haskins, Aoife Cunningham, Ed Lyons have appeared

Recent covers

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Hi Doug, Thank you for this info. I’m curious about the title Poems from the Heron Clan. Since “Heron Clan” has cultural significance in some Indigenous traditions, I’m wondering whether the anthology has any affiliation with or inspiration from a specific Indigenous community or teaching?

I’m asking respectfully because I try to be thoughtful about cultural references in literary spaces, and I’d love to understand the origin of the name better. Thanks so much.

Doug Stuber, Poetry Publisher's avatar

My mother's fayher ws said to have Onandowagan (Seenca) blood, and the Heron CLan was a Seneca clan. But Poems from the Heron Clan has nothing do to with Indegenous spiritualityphilosopphy or culture. IN fact, another Heron Clan was depicted in the movie Braveheart, not a favrite.

We have six editors who all read every submission. The book runs 240-350 )pages, and was born of a friendship between Rinchard Smyth (Albatross editor), Ed Lyons, and Doug Stuber, Since HC 3 we've published one book a year. Pay is one copy of the book, Extras are $5 with a $20 cover.

We take poems all year long but reas in Septembner and October, with an Ocober 30 deadline. Decisions are December 15th. We usually publish in APril or May.

We;ve published ;oets from 19 countries. and fro a 17 year oild, to Ilya Kaminsky, Lola Haskins, Jaki Shelton Green, Anne McMaster, Aoife Cunningham.

Three poems plus a 50-word bio, by October 30.

You're a joy to read.

Doug

W

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you for your kind words Doug, and for taking the time to explain this further.

Andy Smith's avatar

So many great lines here, Jodi! I love the musicality of this one-

“to watch it wing its way through

the tumbling branches of the willow. “

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you Andy! ☺️ I’m going to read this one aloud on Sunday at your open mic. Looking forward to it!

Joseph A. Carosella's avatar

So sweet. So true...

Maya Sarin's avatar

Beautifully written, Jodi. Really enjoyed it ❤️

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thanks so much, Maya! Congratulations again on your book publication!!!

Maya Sarin's avatar

Thank you! 💜

Kate McCarroll Moore's avatar

What a beautiful message to wake up to! ❤️

Jodi Proctor's avatar

I’m so glad to hear that! 💚

Messy Ink Poetry's avatar

A lovely reminder! Thanks for sharing🫶

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you! My pleasure. ☺️

JC's avatar

Jodi! I love a poem that skillfully uses the title as a first line.

Succulent imagery from you as always. Hope your submission process is going well & you are getting some pieces published since we last spoke :)

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you JC! 🥹

Yes, I’ve had a couple accepted, thankfully, in Opol and Phil Lit Journal 🙌. Many “no thank you” messages as well yet I’m taking it in stride. I’m still waiting to hear back on most of them.

Thanks again for helping me leap over my mental block and start sending things out! 💚

Aster solenne's avatar

Beautiful piece! Love it💖

Jodi Proctor's avatar

Thank you! ☺️