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Treasuring Poetry: Meet poet, Selma Martin, and a review of her poetry book, In The Shadow of Rainbows: A Collection of Songs of Presence

Posted: September 20, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Collection, Interview, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , |70 Comments

Today I am delighted to introduce poet, Selma Martin, who has just published a beautiful book of poetry entitled In The Shadow of Rainbows.

Selma has started her interview with a quote and a truly lovely commentary about my book, Lion Scream. I have included it because it is so kind of Selma to have written it, and I appreciate her comments and review a great deal, but please remember that this post is about Selma and her poetry and gorgeous book.

Poems are made by fools like me

But without support, I’ve nowise to be 

Robbie, you’ve no idea how much my enthusiasm level has risen just at the thought of being here with you for this interview. I’m truly honored. And I wish to begin by telling you that I respect you all the more after completing your lovely poetry collection, Lion Scream which I read from start to finish several times. What a lovely book you blessed the world with, Robbie. May we all continue to find grace and compassion in books that enlighten our optimistic approach to everything our world is experiencing at the moment. As someone once wrote, the solutions are there when the problems are recognized. I think that collectively we’ve come to recognize that we have a big problem. So it’s my sincere hope that in this lifetime we figure out where we should put our collective efforts. Your book provides a venue to initiate constructive markers of where we need to start. And together work to narrow the gap between our two realities. Yes, there are two realities: 

  1. Objective reality – “the world out there.” The world of your senses
  2. Subjective reality – “the world in here.”  The world of our minds; the world of emotions and feelings–composed of thoughts, opinions and judgments, and emotions.

I stand by what I wrote on Amazon: Your book is a must-read!

Now onto the questions that I’m ever so happy to respond to:

You have recently released your first poetry collection, In the Shadow of Rainbows. What inspired the poetry in this book? Does it have a particular theme?

SELMA: Inspiration waits for us at every corner, and one is always hoping that it will pat us on the shoulder and remain with us for the duration of the journey. For me, it got a nudge after I completed my 60th trip around the sun. Nothing is more inspiring than realizing that I have lived more life than I have left to live. This is the truth. And the only gauge I went by with my collection was to amass sixty poems.  Well, I wrote more than sixty, thinking that a few wouldn’t make the cut but my editor, Ingrid Wilson of Experiments in Fiction allowed me a little more than sixty; sixty-four resulted. I am grateful. 
As I mentioned in the book, I set sail without a strict theme but kept the faith that one would appear. That of shadows was so strong that at one point I fancied naming the collection Shadows, Whispers, and Echoes. But then, as I mention in the book, an old memory of finding rainbows on my eyelashes acted as my rudder and so there you have it: In The Shadow of Rainbows. I think the title fits the theme so well. Deep bow to my editor. Deep bow to my cover photographer.

Picture caption: The cover of Selma’s book, In the Shadow of Rainbows. I agree that it is very beautiful.

Do you do a lot of editing of your poetry or does the poem manifest itself fully formed?

SELMA: Oh my, let me quote from a haiku from Tachibana Genjiro(1665-1718): I write, erase write, erase again, and then a poppy blooms.
It’s a lot of writing, deleting, and rewriting indeed. And even after my poppy blooms I still find incidents where I wish to start over. So, yes, I do lots of editing; and no, so far no poem has ever manifested itself fully formed for me. 

What do you find to be the most effective way of sharing your poetry with fellow poetry lovers?

SELMA: Writing and sharing my work here on WordPress is the only way I know and feel comfortable sharing my work with other poetry lovers. I’m fully aware that there are other online magazines where I can share my work, but for some reason, I hold back from going the distance because sometimes I don’t feel deserving enough. Or perhaps it is that I need to feel a connection to my readers like I’ve begun to feel with my readers here on WordPress? 
Also, there is the issue of time and timing. I never want to overdo it; I think we need variety, and so I refrain from posting even on my website at times. 
At the moment, I’ve created a beautiful respectful relationship with the Editor of Masticadores USA, Barbara Leonhard, and so I sometimes submit my work there. I’m so grateful that Barbara helps me to reach other audiences and I’m working hard to jump on the bandwagon the next time someone calls for submissions to an anthology that fits my writing.

Do you think poetry is still a relevant form of expressing ideas in our modern world? If yes, why?

Poetry is not new–we know this. It’s the oldest, or at least one of the oldest forms of intimate expressions we humans have had. In today’s fast-paced society, the extraordinary value of the word hasn’t diminished. (Take that, emojis) and we humans will never be irreverent to this art form. Poetry will always rank high in relevance as long as there exist people like you and me. Me think so. 

Which of your own poems is your favorite and why?

Oh, no no no. I don’t have a favorite; I like them all, really I do! But I will share one and honestly hope you find it to your taste. 

Slice of Life

Flanked between two wanings, I live you,

planting the light hours with loving acts,

for you, for us, for our ménage,

and when I meet the dusk, filled,

ready for our mingling at the table,

where we swap slices of lived moments

of the same day, hearts swell replete.

I chose one of the shortest poems in the collection to share with you. It’s strategically placed as the penultimate poem in the book, and I’m happy to elucidate on this poetry form that touched me. 
In its true form, it’s a Kwansaba poem, an African-American verse form of praise: a praise poem that celebrates family. The Kwansaba (Swahili kwan -first fruit/saba -principle) was created in 1995 by Eugene B. Redmond, East St. Louis Poet Laureate and professor of English at Southern Illinois University-East St. Louis. The form was developed in honor of the celebration of Kwanzaa. The poetic form adopts the number 7 from Kwanzaa’s Nguzo Saba (7 principles) as well as embraces its roots in the South African tradition of the Praise Poem. 
The 7 principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each day of the celebration focuses on one of the principles. Isn’t this just such a beautiful principle? I think it is, as all the principles take off at unity which starts at the family level. 

I wrote it originally for a dVerse prompt in December 2021–then, I abbreviated some words to meet the exact count of sevens but changed it a bit for clarity to include in the book. It’s about family, and I hope you like it. 

Which poem by any other poet that you’ve read, do you relate to the most and why?

SELMA: Oh, you got me on this question again, Robbie. There are so many poems to choose from. And I relate to them when I read them. Indeed it’s like asking which is your favorite color today or your favorite sunset… but I will share one of the poems I like.  As to why this poem, I dare say it’s because I love it when we enter this season. Also, I adore the poet’s style and the vernacular he uses in this gorgeous poem. I found it on Poetry Foundation to share here with you. Take a look: 

When the Frost is on the Punkin

BY JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY (1849–1916) When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,
And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,
And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,
With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.

They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;
But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin’ of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo’ lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin’ sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover over-head!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin’ ’s over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! …
I don’t know how to tell it—but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin’ boardin’, and they’d call around on me—
I’d want to ’commodate ’em—all the whole-indurin’ flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!
***
I love love love this poem. Golly, Robbie, I hope you liked it too.

My review of In The Shadow of Rainbows by Selma Martin

A most enjoyable collection of poems that seeks to find the upliftment, or silver lining, in the ordinary and everyday experiences of people, including the poet herself. The poems acknowledge human failings and short comings but attempt (successfully I thought) to put them into perspective and find the happiness and joy in life despite the imperfections humans, as a species, tend to exhibit when faced with challenges and dealing with experiences, both good and bad.

A few short quotations from some of my favourite poems in the collection are as follows:

“perfect specimens
of imperfection
you and I” from Give Back

“When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy” from When Death Comes

“One fine day, I recognized the smell of summer,
the languid air of the somnolent noon,
so I rose and walked away from the wheelchair
hands outstretched, to the hollycocks there.” from Angel August

All of us experience ups and downs in life. Anything that can help us find perspective thereby gaining understanding and solace, is worth embracing. This book does that and is an inspired and inspiring read.

About Selma Martin

Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of teaching children ESL. She believes in people’s goodness and in finding balance in simple living. She lives in Japan with her husband of thirty-three years. In 2018, Selma participated in a networking course whose final lesson was to publish a story on Amazon. After many failed attempts, she completed the course and self-published her short story, Wanted: Husband/Handyman, in 2019. Later, collaborating with peers from that course, she published Wanted: Husband/Handyman in an anthology, Once Upon A Story: A Short Fiction Anthology. Selma has published stories on Medium for many years, in MasticadoresUSA, The Poetorium At Starlight, Short Fiction Break, and Spillwords. After her first NaPoWriMo 2021, Selma writes poetry on her website, selmamartin.com, and in July 2023, published a debut poetry collection on Amazon. 
You can find Selma, selmawrites, on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. But if you wish to engage and create a meaningful interaction with Selma: add value, nurture trust, and share engaging content from the ordinary perspective of someone navigating life in today’s fast-paced culture, you may join her once-a-month pen pal newsletter. 

Other ways of contacting Selma

 EMAIL: selma@selmamartin . com OR selmagogowrites@gmail .

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/selmawrites/ 

TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/SelmaWrites

About Robbie Cheadle

Photo of Robbie Cheadle standing in front of trees.

Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published thirteen children’s book and three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

The ten Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/

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70 Comments on “Treasuring Poetry: Meet poet, Selma Martin, and a review of her poetry book, In The Shadow of Rainbows: A Collection of Songs of Presence”

  1. Unknown's avatar Visiting Robbie Cheadle At Writing To Be Read Website Today – Selma says:
    September 20, 2023 at 12:14 am

    […] when ithappens I jump at the chance. So thanks so much, dear Robbie, and to all my readers,kindly head over to this link to lend me your support as we talk about–what else–In The Shadow of Rainbows at […]

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. SelmaMartin's avatar SelmaMartin says:
    September 20, 2023 at 12:39 am

    🙇🏽‍♀️ 🙇🏽‍♀️ 🙇🏽‍♀️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Kathryn LeRoy's avatar Kathryn LeRoy says:
    September 20, 2023 at 5:53 am

    Brilliant and insightful questions answered with thoughtfulness, honesty, and grace. Thanks for sharing so deeply and giving us a glimpse of what makes you—you. And yes to James Whitcomb Riley.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • SelmaMartin's avatar SelmaMartin says:
      September 20, 2023 at 6:49 am

      Hey, Kathryn dearest. So pleased that you dropped in to lend more support, my beautiful photographer friend. You make my heart sing.
      The questions, yes, insightful. Glad you were here to see this one evolve like it did. And can we please make Autumn official, please. I cannot take any more of this heat. Whitcomb Riley!! I adore this poem. Makes me smile every time. Thanks for commenting here. Be well, Kathryn. I bless you.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    • robbiesinspiration's avatar robbiesinspiration says:
      September 20, 2023 at 8:41 am

      Hi Kathryn, thank you for visiting Selma here. I am delighted you enjoyed this interview.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  4. Kymber @booomcha's avatar Kymber Hawke says:
    September 20, 2023 at 6:39 am

    This is a lovely interview. I’m looking forward to reading “In the Shadow of Rainbows.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Lauren Scott, Author's avatar Baydreamer - Lauren Scott says:
    September 20, 2023 at 7:01 am

    A wonderful interview, Selma and Robbie, and a huge Congrats to Selma on her lovely book that I enjoyed very much! ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  6. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:
    September 20, 2023 at 9:10 am

    Good luck to Selma with her book. I have shared both posts on Twitter, Robbie.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  7. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray says:
    September 20, 2023 at 10:38 am

    Wonderful interview, and what a quote–“I write, erase write, erase again, and then a poppy blooms.” It captures what happens perfectly.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  8. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar D.L. Finn, Author says:
    September 20, 2023 at 11:36 am

    What a wonderful intereview! I loved both shared poems today for different reasons. That is why poetry captures my attention because it is on so many levels. I agree about both Robbie and Selmas’s books they are must reads.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  9. Luanne's avatar Luanne says:
    September 20, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    This interview is wonderful. I enjoyed it very much! Yay to Selma and to you, Robbie.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:
    September 20, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    Another great interview Robbie. Selma is always shining her light.
    I like that she chose a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, as he was one of my mother’s favorite poets. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    September 20, 2023 at 4:26 pm

    I enjoyed reading Selma’s perspective on poetry, as prompted by your insightful questions. Congratulations to her on your review! It’s good to see her book get such a good reception by readers. That’s what poetry’s all about!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. alexcraigie's avatar alexcraigie says:
    September 20, 2023 at 4:26 pm

    A thoughtful and honest interview. Your comment, Robbie, “Anything that can help us find perspective thereby gaining understanding and solace, is worth embracing” is an excellent one. I loved the editing haiku, too, and hope to read Selma’s book soon.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  13. D. Wallace Peach's avatar D. Wallace Peach says:
    September 20, 2023 at 4:42 pm

    What a lovely interview and review, from start to finish. I love Selma’s lovely reflection on your book, Robbie, and learning about the inspiration for her own. Rainbows in her eyelashes? How beautiful. “Slice of Life” is wonderful, and I enjoyed Riley’s poem “Frost on the Punkin.” Made me smile for sure. Great review for Selma’s collection too. Congrats.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  14. Resa's avatar Resa says:
    September 20, 2023 at 8:41 pm

    Lovely interview & review of what sounds like a wonderful book of poetry.
    I understand why Selma feels comfortable with her poetry here on WP.
    When I started blogging a decade ago, I quickly discovered poetry’s renaissance here.
    Best to Selma.
    Yes, Selma,Robbie’s Lion Scream is special!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. SelmaMartin's avatar SelmaMartin says:
    September 20, 2023 at 10:27 pm

    And so ignorant of me–I am here because I followed the link Robbie provided, but I get the feeling there’s someone else that’s affording me this honor; someone named Kaye? I don’t know exactly how this works, but I’m honored to be here at Writing to be Read hosted by Kaye Lynne Booth: a belated shout-out to you, Kaye. Thanks for hosting me and my book (this interview) here today through the generosity of Robbie Cheadle. To everyone else I cannot see, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bless you all. xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Unknown's avatar Encouragement: A Sweet Visit at Writing To Be Read For Sunday Press – Selma says:
    September 24, 2023 at 2:08 am

    […] Treasuring Poetry: Meet poet, Selma Martin, and a review of her poetry book, In The Shadow of Rainbo… Writing to be Read Interview of yours truly. […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Cheryl Batavia's avatar Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says:
    September 24, 2023 at 7:37 am

    A wonderfully engaging interview! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The diverse poetry and poetry quotes filled my morning with cheer. Well done, Robbie and Selma! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • SelmaMartin's avatar SelmaMartin says:
      September 24, 2023 at 11:50 pm

      Cheryl. Sweet one. Thanks for the support. I feel the love and gives me plenty to turn around and share with others. Delighted with your comment. And I know you listened to me reciting the Whitcomb poem on my website. You are the best. Thank you.
      Gosh the Kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ Turkey-cock and the rooster’s hallyllooyer made it a tremendously fun recital 🤣 I loved doing this one. Bless you.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
    • robbiesinspiration's avatar robbiesinspiration says:
      September 25, 2023 at 3:50 am

      Hi Cheryl, I am delighted you enjoyed this review 💕

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  18. dgkaye's avatar dgkaye says:
    September 24, 2023 at 10:36 am

    This was a lovely interview with Selma, Robbie. Thanks for introducing us to Selma and her lovely poetry. I will definitely check out the book. Congrats to Selma. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. Annika Perry's avatar Annika Perry says:
    September 25, 2023 at 9:28 am

    Robbie, a wonderful interview with Selma and the warmth between you both shines out! I love your review of her book and the examples quoted.

    Selma, I loved learning a bit about yourself, your writing, poetry and smiled when reading about your muse! ‘Inspiration waits for us at every corner, and one is always hoping that it will pat us on the shoulder and remain with us for the duration of the journey.’ Beautiful!

    Your lyrical reading of ‘Slice of Life’ was wonderful and you have now sold me on this poem – it is terrific and no mean feat to read such a long poem! Well done and thank you for sharing so eloquently with us.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. Annika Perry's avatar Annika Perry says:
    September 25, 2023 at 9:36 am

    **Of course, I meant your reading of When the Frost is on the Punkin – I very much like your poetic reflections in Slice of Life! xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. olganm's avatar olganm says:
    September 30, 2023 at 1:32 pm

    Congratulations to Selma on her book and for your review, and thanks for introducing us to her. I hope she keeps writing and sharing her poems with as many readers as possible.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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