Everything Writers Need | Writers of Kern
by Anna Marco
Catfight With a wild rose Both of us Torn and tattered Bleeding Scarlet Red Thick as velvet
Anna Marco was born into theatrical heritage, gifted in creative writing and majored in Media. Her professional writing career spans 30 years. She is an internationally published author to 6 books and 800 magazine articles. She won the Los Angeles Valley College Poetry Contest for “The Lemon Tree.”
by Anke Hodenpijl
The nymph of her emerges from the river, seeks shelter on the bankside of her mother’s arms. Unfledged, she spins into her dance, opens her arms like wings made of diamond light, and receives her life next to the river Jordan. There is no rushing in this place, only the flow. Imagine a young girl, unafraid, stroking the strings of her lyre singing into creation, only to be betrayed by a lamb and a snake. At the gloaming she hangs her harp on the willow, feeds the fish with her body, knows her song of Zion are sewn into the ribs of women.
Anke Hodenpijl believes the practice of writing brings her closer to life. Her work reflects on the intersections between immigration and assimilation, spirituality, family, racism, and sexuality. Her work is published in several anthologies and literary journals. She connects with other poets as a facilitator at the Art and Spirituality Center in Bakersfield and as a Critique Group leader with the Writers of Kern.
by Carla Stanley
Riding down the bike path Heading out of Bakersfield An abundance of land surrounds the route Bordered by the Kern River on one side And Stockdale Highway on the other. Grassy hillocks and trees provide shelter For insects For animals For people. Ground squirrels hug the earth, Looking like dark sprinkles on the green landscape Of the park. As the trail skirts the city Rabbits surprise us by streaking across the blacktop. We pass many people as we pedal Five miles out, Then 10, Then reach the end of the path on Enos Lane. Away from houses, roads, people, We see three roadrunners, two quail, And one lone coyote. What a day!
Carla Stanley is a retired Theater & English teacher. She is a Bakersfield native and spent 20 years as a military wife living in Oklahoma, Washington and Germany. She spends her time traveling with her husband (pre-COVID), writing, gardening, and walking her dog Sky.
by Jennette Green
Jennette Green writes sweet romance with a touch of spice. She fell in love with writing when she was seven. As a teen, while traveling on a sailboat with her family in Central America, she filled notebooks with stories. Her books have received “Reader’s Favorite Hero,” “Reviewer’s Choice Award” and more. ‘Snowstorm’ was an international bestseller.
by Judy Kukuruza
"No obligation when you call." "Your car warranty is about to expire." "This call is being recorded." "Can you hear me?" Unknown numbers from unknown place Burma, Florida, Wyoming, India and of course United States. Delete - Block But we're on a list. Ask: who do you represent? Dial tone. Ask: what do you want? Dial tone. Ask: are you from the pig farm? Dial tone. Ask: first AND Last name? Dial tone. Ask: can you get me a car, too? Dial tone. Ask: do you realize I am recording also? Click. Covid boredom equals block, delete creativity says "Do you love Jesus?" "Let me tell you about my day…" or "say…is this another scam?" For fun, "can you hold? Hubby can't find ammo…" Best, "really? really? seriously?" Silence on the other end? Dial tone? Golden.
Retired college instructor from CSUB and Bakersfield College. She published her memoir One Body/Many Souls in 2018, and later Poems to Ponder, Little Stories to Play with in Your Mind, and Letters. She publishes her blog, “Our Spiritual Journey” through Word Press.