Sundown

By Margaret Rooney

hush of violet visible

behind darkened branches 

leaves turn to lace

rabbit’s sideways 

shadow bounces blue 

over light-tipped grass

this is the quietest moment of the day 

full of long loose brightness 

and the sudden stillness of birds

fountain spills soft sounds 

fills its round stone bowl 

sends silver sheets of water 

over its curled edge 

into a bigger roundness 

where dragonflies linger

canted light brings 

into focus slim grass stems

rough texture of tree bark

soft pleats of morning 

glories folded around 

their yellow centers

last rays trace contours 

of curved bean pods

sharpen lines of rooftops

west-facing windows

flare quick copper color 

shine like new-born suns

too-soon extinguished 

in the widening darkness

Margaret Rooney belongs to three remarkable poetry groups full of wise, accomplished women who have encouraged and inspired her poetic inclinations. Her poems appear in multiple anthologies. She won first prize in the April 2022 Redwood Writers Poetry Contest. She has had two poems nominated for the 2020 Pushcart prize. Her chapbook A Wild Rain is due to be published in 2023.

MEMBER JUST PUBLISHED BOOKS

Deep Trouble, by Catharine Bramkamp

Catharine Bramkamp releases Deep Trouble, second The second book in the Dangerous Senior Moments Series.  

Vic Gardner is an independent 60-something heroine who can’t keep out of trouble. Her nephew in California disappears, and her sister-in-law insists it’s Vic’s job to find him. Her upstairs neighbor’s tub overflows, again. Her ex stops over with another marriage proposal and a mysterious warning. And her manicurist found a clue to an 18th-century female artist that could be the discovery of the decade. Can she find her nephew without a trip to California? Who else is looking for this artist and her work? Why does she have to be married at all? And which is worse, trespassing or being buried alive? Vic is in deep trouble.

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MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS

Seeking Non-Fiction Critique Group

I’m looking for a critique group - 2 or more people - of non-fiction writers. My book is self-help. It's a book of self-care practices, which I have developed over many years. These are the things that have helped me get through life and I want to share them. Originally these chapters began as blog posts and I decided to turn them into a book. Currently the book is about 35k words, but, of course that changes as I repeatedly re-write the chapters. I want to meet in person. Please contact Molly Kurland at (707) 480-0172 or [email protected]

Writing as a Path to Healing

Marlene Cullen offers workshops on Zoom, using the freewrite method for capturing stories.

March 8, 5:30-7:00 p.m, ‘Telling Our Stories.”

Free!

Hosted by Providence Hospice Sonoma County

Hospice Zoom Link

March 9 and March 23, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.. Hosted by Recovery Writing of Idaho 

Free!

Register: www.recoveryidaho.org/writing-for-recovery

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS

By John J. Lesjack

Bedtime Story 

Jeffrey Whitmore, Pacific Grove, CA

"Careful, honey, it’s loaded,” he said, reentering the bedroom.

Her back rested against the headboard. “This for your wife?”

“No. Too chancy. I’m hiring a professional.”

“How about me?”

He smirked. “Cute. But who’d be dumb enough to hire a lady hit man?”

She wet her lips, sighting along the barrel.

“Your wife."

***



THE STORY AFTER THE BEDTIME STORY

First published in a San Luis Obispo newspaper short story writing contest—55 words or less—in 1990, Jeffrey’s story won no prize. The editor published all entries and said they were all winners. Then, “Bedtime Story” began a life of its own and was printed and reprinted in magazines—Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Playboy, and more. It was read on NPR during a tango performance by a Canadian dance troupe, appeared in other films and hard cover short story book collections, over and over.

Twenty-six years later, in 1996, Columbia University Press published the story in a hardcover paperback and sent Jeffrey his first payment for Bedtime Story—a check for $100!  

“Bedtime Story” can be found online as a cartoon and other versions of the written word, but what can we learn from Jeffrey’s experience about lack of a payment for our work? 

“Bedtime Story” was most recently published, with Jeffrey’s permission, in Life in Pacific Grove, Book 2, January 2019 and Redwood Writers Club Newsletter, March 2023. 

APRIL 15 GENERAL MEETING

A Celebration of Poetry

REDWOOD WRITERS LEADERS & VOLUNTEERS

Redwood Writers would not be a possibility without our many wonderful leaders and chairpeople who generously volunteer their time and efforts. We appreciate you!

Board meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted, and are open to any member in good standing. If you would like to attend a board meeting, contact: [email protected] to receive an invitation.