What I Know About Shine by Dana Wildsmith

What I Know About Shine
by
Dana Wildsmith

As clear as water from my well, but not
as clear as alcohol- as strange as that
may sound- for this is living liquid: a shot
of aqua vitae with its specks and motes
of vegetative matter and a dash
of death potential (as always is the case
with life) or at the least a gamble at
a loss of sight or sense or steady use
of legs and hands, my hands that took the jar
as if no harm could come to me- to you,
but not to me- because I would be scared
of even water from my well if too
much thought preceded drinking, and I
have found this also is the case with life.

Dana Wildsmith's newest collection of poems, With Access to Tools, was released by Madville Publishing this month. She is also the author of five other collections of poetry and a memoir, and was a Georgia Author of the Year finalist. Born and raised in rural South Georgia, Dana traveled extensively as a Navy wife before settling in Bethlehem, Georgia, on a century-old family farm outside Atlanta. Her love of family, nature, music, tradition, and life's simple joys is the focal point of her poignant, compelling work, which has been featured in numerous journals, magazines, and anthologies, including the highly acclaimed Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia. Dana is a gifted teacher as well, sharing her passion for language from ESL classes at Lanier Technical College to residencies acoss the country. Learn more about her at www.danawildsmith.com.

cork:
Cork: I have a quart of shine in a Mason jar which has been on the high shelf for over ten years. It was a gift from a still in West Virginia. I like to look at it but am afraid to taste it.
Posted 10/23/2014 08:37 AM

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