Rejection

Well, it's a good thing I had low expectations of being accepted for publication when I made my very first ever poetry submission to a publisher.  I sent two poems in to Poetry Quarterly, Smoke and Newsreel.
They gave no reason or comment as to why the rejected these two works.  However, I am not feeling down.  I know that I enjoy writing when I get the chance and that others find enjoyment in my word combinations.  This is enough for me.  Publication is a dream that may yet come true if I work hard and keep trying.

Reposting both submitted poems here now.  Hopefully you will find some value in them.

Smoke

Revision November 7, 2010

Kimberly L. McClune

Clinging to the air, fluctuating,

Gradient translucence shifts in silent grace.

Amorphous fog, ethereal silk

Drifts away then subtly coils and spins.

Spinning, wispy

Slithering threads bend and twist,

Swirling into dancing clouds.

Stretched and pinched,

Gossamer pinwheels insinuate

Enigmatic spheres.

Stirred by invisible forces,

Unfocused, aimless,

Free and unfettered existence

Finally dissipates into nothingness.

Newsreel

Kimberly L. McClune

January 12, 2011

Memories are the treasured moments on the newsreel of your heart.

They come image by image, feeling by feeling,

Thought by thought.

Even scents, sights, and sounds bring them back.

Turn on the newsreel.  Hear the clicking of the film.

Watch it, feel it, hear it, and see it.

Cherished memories are the newsreel of your heart.

More poetry

Again, I apologize for the delay in posting.  Pipe burst in basement of new townhome last month and am just getting house back to normal.  Being a claims adjuster in my work life sure does help sometimes.

So Have been inspired to do some writing.  Now need to get to my notes for bunches of other poems and get them finished.  Hope you enjoy these two new ones.

This was written when considering a photo of heavy snowfall on limbs outside my window last spring.

Late Spring Snow

By Kimberly L. McClune

March 7, 2011

The weighted limbs sagged beneath the burden of layer upon layer of frozen crystals.

As they fell, dancing easily to the earth, the crystals had no volume.

When arriving, they joined one to another until their bulk swelled.

Linked together, they formed a weighty mass.

Pressing down, they bent limbs and stems both young and old.

When they melted, at first dripping, then flowing, then rushing, they found their way together, easily dancing again.

This was inspired by the Canadian geese that congregate neara my office about a week or so ago.

Winter Geese

By Kimberly McClune

March 5, 2011

A curious line of Canadian geese, like ants, followed one another to a round dirt patch in the field.

Standing in a loose clump, all stared in unison across the dried brown grass considering their next destination.

After quiet contemplation, a large synchronous group lifted off without warning.

The remainder watched intently as the others winged away toward a nearby pond.

Finally after watching their brethren, the last of the geese lifted off as one.

Winging swiftly, they alighted to the cool water, reuniting.