jeromegagnonblog

Reciprocity in Nature

Examples of reciprocity in nature are at the heart of indigenous wisdom, according to author and scientist Robin Wall Kimmamer . In The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World (Scribner, 2024), she writes that “to replenish the possibility of mutual flourishing…we need an economy that shares the gifts of the earth, following the lead of our oldest teachers, the plants.” An enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmamer is the best-selling author of Braiding Sweetgrass and a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology. Pointing to the Serviceberry tree as a model, she observes that “Materials move through ecosystems in a circular economy and are constantly transformed.” The leaves of the tree draw carbon dioxide, which becomes sugar in the berry, which becomes food for the Cedar Waxwings, which animate their songs and colors their feathers, which become food for beetles, and so on. In this clear and concisely written book, Kimmamer spells out the risks of current practices based on profit alone and invites readers to “consider how you can reciprocate the gifts of the Earth in your own way.” Illustrations by John Burgoyne  

Burningword Literary Journal

My thanks to the editors of Burningword for accepting the poem, “Lost Places” for their January issue. Established in June 2000, this is a quarterly publication featuring an array of poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, and visual art, according to their website. Issues are published in January, April, July, and October; selected work is included in an annual “best of” issue and nominations are submitted for both the Pushcart and Best of Net awards. www.burningword.com

“In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.”  – Pico Iyer, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere

Poetry Open Submissions

Frontier Poetry is currently accepting online poetry submissions in their New Voices category and welcomes “underrepresented and marginalized voices.” They also offer an optional editorial letter with one to two pages of feedback. Payment is from $50 to $150 per poem. www.frontierpoetry.com

About Place Journal is now accepting “artistic collaborations” of poetry and other genres that explore the experience of cooperative work. Until March 10th. www.aboutplacejournal.org

The Lascaux Review is open for submissions of poetry and other work (up to five poems) and will consider previously published material. They’re seeking accessible poetry “that can be appreciated without notation.” www.lascauxreview.com

Contests

The Harold Morton Landon Translation Award is for “a poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year.” Submissions are accepted through February 15th. www.poets.org

The Center for African American Poetry and Poetics and Autumn House Press are co-sponsoring a contest for a first or second poetry/hybrid collection. The prize is $3,000 and publication; submissions will be accepted through February 15th. www.caapp.pitt.edu

Arts and Letters is now accepting submissions (up to four poems) for the Rumi Poetry Prize. The award is $1,000 and publication on their website. (They “prefer” that entries not be simultaneously submitted.) Through February 20th. www.artsandletters.submittable.com