“Guinotte Wise returns with choppers and barns and the archaeology of the American experience, covid-19 edition. The chaff blowing over from the pyramids of silage must lend Wise some of its dry magic, as each of these poems shimmers with grace and prickly humor and life.”
5-time Pushcart nominee and author of seven books, Guinotte Wise’s fiction collection Night Train Cold Beer won the H. Palmer Hall Award and his poetry and fiction have appeared in numerous journals including Rattle, Atticus, The MacGuffin and Southern Humanities Review. Some work is at http://www.wisesculpture.com
In “Officially Licensed Poet,” the speaker says to the poet ‘I don’t really like poetry but I like your stuff.’ I really do like poetry and I like Joe Cottonwood’s stuff too. If I were asked to choose a book to encapsulate late twentieth century early twenty-first century life as told by a humane and gifted observer, Random Saints would be my pick. Cottonwood is a master story-teller. Put a log on the fire, pull up a comfy chair, open the book. Prepare to laugh, prepare to cry, prepare to feel better about the human race. — Donna Hilbert, author of Gravity: New & Selected Poems
I have to say HOLY WOW. This whole thing knocked me over. Joe Cottonwood is a poet of uncommon perception. His work is direct, embodied, and authentic. Each poem is packed with the real wealth that comes of close observation and hard-won wisdom, carved down to the essence. Let Random Saints show you how the “grinding of the earth creates a diamond.” Then grab a few extra copies. You’re going to want to share this book. — Laura Grace Weldon, Ohio Poet of the Year 2019, author of Blackbird
Joe Cottonwood’s humanity illuminates his beautiful poetry, unfailingly drawing us into kinship with our fellow beings—two-legged and otherwise—in ways that surprise and delight. His writing proves the power of simple words and everyday experiences. I was honored to publish so many of these pieces in The MOON magazine. — Leslee Goodman, publisher of The MOON magazine
Joe Cottonwood is a carpenter by day, poet by night. He lives under redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California.
It’s November 10th and the temperature here in the mid-west will be in the 70s, a good time for an autumn poem. This one is a preview from our winter issue, due out in December.
It’s nearly Halloween so what better 3rd Wednesday poem of the week than one that’s suitable for a grave yard? Here’s one (tempered with humor) from Irish poet, Edward Lee. It’s from our fall issue.
Our poem of the week is a contest winner from the fall issue of 3rd Wednesday. Another 50/50 contest is under way for the winter issue due out in December. The winning poet receives 50% of the contest entry fees or $50 (which ever is greater) and a one year subcription to the print magazine. The entry fee is just $3.
“Guinotte Wise returns with choppers and barns and the archaeology of the American experience, covid-19 edition. The chaff blowing over from the pyramids of silage must lend Wise some of its dry magic, as each of these poems shimmers with grace and prickly humor and life.”
5-time Pushcart nominee and author of seven books, Guinotte Wise’s fiction collection Night Train Cold Beer won the H. Palmer Hall Award and his poetry and fiction have appeared in numerous journals including Rattle, Atticus, The MacGuffin and Southern Humanities Review. Some work is at http://www.wisesculpture.com
Random Saints
Joe Cottonwood
