My most current blog entries are being posted at Significance & Inspiration, my Wordpress location.

When Zachary smiles, I sometimes forget
that hours after delivery, they told us
not to get our hopes up, that he likely
wouldn't live through the night. His fingers
curled into oxygen-deprived fists
shouted the truth of his condition
over the screech of hospital machines.

But despite the warning and ignoring
how slim the chance, we spent hours
unfolding his hands, imagining hope
tucked into his palms like a teddy bear's
tail. Only the doctors thought they'd failed.
For them, the truth was written in MRI images;
for us, in steady breath and gurgled coos.

I am flattered to have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize by The Lives You Touch Publications. The nomination is for a short piece called "A Little Perspective" that I wrote about Zachary. This piece is very special to me and I'm humbled that it received this nomination. A special thanks is due to the editors, OPW Fredericks and Daniel Milbo, for thinking of me!

I am the featured poet in OW News' Cancer Issue, distributed November 8, 2010. Both poems, No Remission and This Poem Has No Ending, appear in my forthcoming chapbook, Guitar Without Strings, available soon from The Lives You Touch Publications.

A special thank you to Oneal Walters and his editor for choosing my poems to be featured in this heart-wrenching issue.

I'll be performing at the Da Vinci Poetry Slam in Corvallis, Oregon on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Stop by and enjoy some healthy poetic competition, otherwise known as "Just Plain Fun"!

Stop by the Writers on the River Booth and pick up a free poem or short essay by me, or purchase books or cards by local authors and poets Saturday or Sunday in the Art Village.

In May 2010, my poetry appeared in three different literary journals. "Spring Rain" was published in Autumn Sky Poetry; "Marriage at Work" was published in Cloudbank; and four of my poems comprised the Editor's Choice selection in Touch: The Journal of Healing.

My chapbook, Guitar Without Strings is scheduled for publication by The Lives You Touch Publications in autumn 2010.

I'm at the Northwest Poet's Concord where Colette Tennant has told me that she published her book Commotion of Wings at Main Street Rag Press. This collection of poetry costs $14.

My short essay A Little Perspective and my poem Hospital Hush appear in Strong Voices: A Year of Touch. I am honored to be included with such fine voices.

My first chapbook, Guitar Without Strings, is scheduled to be published by The Lives You Touch Publications later this year.

I will be hosting a 50-minute informational workshop at the Northwest Poet's Concord in Newport, Oregon. The Concord runs from May 7th through 9th. My presentation will be at 3 pm on May 7th. There's a great lineup of poets from the Northwest with some interesting panel topics and workshops. More information as it becomes available!