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A Matter of Selection
by Carol Smallwood
109 pages 71 poems
Price: To be announced
ISBN:9780998146980
Publisher: Poetic Matrix Press
To Order: http://www.poeticmatrix.com/titles.aspx




ABOUT THE BOOK:


In A Matter of Selection, Carol Smallwood writes in both formal structure and
free verse. She explains in her preface that, akin to Darwin's theory about
survival, words "best adapted to their environment have the tendency to survive .”
Significances in poetic narratives, she offers, are found not only in words
appearing on the page, but also in meanings that are heard between the lines
and even in the pauses and silences of poems. In this, her latest collection, the
seventy-one poems are divided into the following groups: Nature, Moments in
Time , The Domestic, and Speculations.


ADVANCE PRAISE:


"I've rarely—if ever—come across someone whose poetic abilities—in terms of
both structural explorations and thematic variety—match their levels of aca-
demic exploration and altruistic warmth. Carol Smallwood is one such
multifaceted spirit.

Her greatest strengths lie in her own original content. A Matter of Selection
soars not only as a follow-up to her past collections, but also as an indepen-
dent entry into the modern poetic landscape.

Just about every piece is surprising, unique, and resonant. A Matter of
Selection
is a tour-de-force illustration of the potentials of poetry."
—Jordan Blum, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, The Bookends Review


"Whether considering the lacework of atoms, the calming labor of quilting, or
many other points of reference in a universe with 'no edge or center,' Carol
Smallwood's poems are woven with grace, skill, and intuition. They are the work
of a woman who knows where to look for truth, and how to measure its music."
—Robert Fanning, Associate Professor of Creative Writing, Central Michigan
University, and author of American Prophet, Marick Press, 2009


"To share this poet's daylight is to see the world anew through Carol Smallwood's
vision; bravo!"
—Mary Barnet, Senior Editor PoetryMagazine.com; author: The New American: 86 Sonnets


"Whether formal or free verse, Carol Smallwood’s voice focuses on issues of
importance with grace and wisdom."
—Foster Neill, Editor, The Michigan Poet


"Carol Smallwood's unabashed use of classical poetry forms for modern topics in
her books makes her one of the boldest poets in poetry, even in literature,
right now."
—Evan Mantyk, President, The Society of Classical Poets


"Formal and free verse poems flow seamlessly together, integrated into
collections that magnify the specifics of our world yet then pan out to
connect the parts to the larger whole."
—Cristina Deptula, executive editor, Synchronized Chaos Magazine


"A Matter of Selection is also a 'curation,' true to the word's grounding in the
Latin word for care: in her curation of moments, objects, insights, words, and
images, Carol Smallwood's care—keen and humane—is palpable on the page.'
—Rebecca Resinski, editorial board, Heron Tree; professor of Classics, Hendrix College


"Carol's sure grasp of detail, from the minute to the galactic, coupled with her
flair with types and layers of verse, invite the reader to say "Yes, yes!" I
cannot imagine one could read her poems without feeling as if the air and light
have somehow changed."
—Julie Damerell, Editor, Miller's Pond


"Smallwood combines the random, mundane, and heartbreaking with the profound."
—Carole Mertz, contributor, Writing After Retirement, Rowman & Littlefield


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Carol Smallwood's over five dozen books include: Women on Poetry: Writing,
Revising, Publishing and Teaching
, noted on Poets & Writers Magazine list of
Best Books for Writers. Recent anthologies include: Writing After Retirement:
Tips by Successful Retired Writers
(Rowman & Littlefield, 2014); Bringing the
Arts into the Library: An Outreach Handbook
(American Library Association,
2014 ); Library Partnerships with Writers and Poets: Case Studies (McFarland,
2017).

Recent literary collections include: Water, Earth, Air, Fire, and Picket Fences
(Lamar University Press, 2014); Divining the Prime Meridian (WordTech Editions,
2015); Interweavings: Creative Nonfiction (Shanti Arts, 2017); In Hubble’s
Shadow
(Shanti Arts, 2017); Prisms, Particles, and Refractions (Finishing Line
Press, 2017). Prisms, Particles, and Refractions was nominated for the Society
of Midland Authors Award in Poetry.

Carol has founded and supports humane societies. She's received multiple
Pushcart Prize nominations and appears in Who's Who in America; Who's Who
in the World
.


FROM THE BOOK:


The Universe
by Carol Smallwood

It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I've read
so it brings me security to make patchwork quilts at night;
it makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.

"You are not lonely when you sew," Grandmother often said
as she sewed apron after apron with evident delight;
It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I’ve read.

Other activities most likely should have been my stead:
quilt after quilt I've made at night sitting straight, upright:
It makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.

Mixing pattern with plain, varying width until ready for bed,
securing the needle easy to spot on a piece extra bright—
it must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I've read.

Fleece, flannel, denim, have made many a patchwork spread
and those who receive them do express thanks forthright:
it makes sense to cut up squares to sew with needle and thread.

I've concluded I'll have no edge or center when I'm dead
and finding security sewing squares is better than fright.
It must be true: the Universe has no edge or center as I've read
it makes sense to cut up pieces to sew with needle and thread.


 


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