Where I’m From- October 2023

New Poem, Writing Update, & so much more!

Good afternoon!

Beyond grateful!  That’s how I feel about my poem “Where I’m From: Seven Decades in Seven Scenes” being published in Salvation South!  I hope you’ll read it. Here’s the link:

https://www.salvationsouth.com/where-im-from-seven-decades-in-seven-scenes-deb-bowen-poem/

I don’t consider myself a poet, but sometimes there are thoughts I need to write and poetry conveys them succinctly. That’s what compelled me to write this poem, reflecting on who I’ve been and who I am becoming. Here’s the first verse, the first decade of my life:

I am island crabcakes and Coppertone,
           imaginary friends and get-well bouquets from Miss Fannie’s yard,
           Nanny’s butterbeans and Pappy’s chickens,
           following Aunt Mildred’s finger across the hymnal page:
           “Jesus Loves Me,” this I know.
I am Johnny Horton and Patsy Cline and Bill Monroe.
          The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Chronicles of Narnia.
          she-sells-seashells-by-the-seashore.
          I am Hurricane Donna.

There’s more, of course, and I hope you’ll read the whole poem. I’d so appreciate your comments at the end.  Most importantly, I hope you’ll financially support Salvation South.  It’s an important publication doing meaningful work.

As this poem attests, autumn is a time of deep reflection for me.  As days grow shorter and sunsets more vivid, I’ve made a promise to see more of them over the next few months.

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UPCOMING!

In a recent course I taught, I had lots of participants who said they’d been experiencing a connection with one particular being, and they asked me to write about the meaning of this phenomenon.  That topic will be the focus of my next newsletter, so stay tuned.  

I’m working on my course offerings and plans for November, so watch for details in the upcoming newsletter. 

In the meantime, please subscribe to Substack newsletters by these friends who are writers and artists.

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Writing Update

I’m excited about the works I have in progress, some of which I anticipate being published soon.  In the meantime, you can view links to my published work on my website:
https://debbowen.com/author/

You also can click here to read my most recent creative nonfiction works, “Mending Nets” in Salvation South:
https://www.salvationsouth.com/mending-nets-north-carolina-barrier-island/?mc_cid=c4bb217ffc&mc_eid=fae2a9a622

And “A Talisman for Poseidon,” also in Salvation South:
https://www.salvationsouth.com/a-talisman-from-poseidon-hurricane-donna-1960/

And here’s the link to my poem “Where I’m From: Seven Decades in Seven Scenes” also in Salvation South:
https://www.salvationsouth.com/where-im-from-seven-decades-in-seven-scenes-deb-bowen-poem/

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Podcast 

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Deb’s Facebook Pages

Another way you and I can connect is through my Facebook pages.  I’d be honored if you’d follow my pages.  They are a great way to see up-to-the-minute news!  I so hope you’ll LIKE and FOLLOW and feel free to comment and share posts!

Deb Bowen, Author          
PsychicTeachers           
Witches of the Shore

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Just One More Thing Before You Go

“I know deep in my soul the pull of the sea. To stand on the shore watching the sun rise as a flock of pelicans glide over my head, to dive into a cresting wave, to sail beyond sight of land, to fish beside a great blue heron in the marsh, to sing the moon up are gifts I’ve treasured all my life. I understand why I, and others, are willing to risk so much for them.”
-Excerpt from A Talisman from Poseidon Published in Salvation South

Thank you!