The Sky and the Sea: Poetry and Prose

By Kevin J. Johnson

Back to the sea, someone said, and many agreed, so they went. Forsaking the land, they stepped cautiously into the waters, like newborns opening their eyes to peer at the world for the first time. What they found was a world that itself, seemed to be alive--shifting and swaying like some gigantic animal. And it was here they found their new home among the rocks and coral, the fish and fauna. Flowing through the waters veins, they quickly became woven into the seas intricate pattern. But they never forgot those who had stayed behind. And they longed, one day, to be with them.

Such gorgeous imagery is affecting and evocative...
-Clarion Forward Reviews

A slim but powerful debut collection of poetry...
-Kirkus Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481766456

Kevin J. Johnson

Kevin J Johnson studied history, English, poetry and creative writing at the University of Wisconsin--Superior and the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. His poetry has been published in "Wisteria: The UWS Literary Journal." He has also been published as a guest editorialist at the Eau Claire Leader Telegram, and currently writes online as the Eau Claire County Progressive Examiner. He is originally from Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and currently resides in Eau Claire. This is his first book.

Book preview

© 2013, 2014 by Kevin J. Johnson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/02/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6644-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-6645-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013911115

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

I. Words from Superior

IMperfect

Isolation

The Sky and the Sea

El Cielo y la Mar

Listen

Dreams

Time

Death

Autumn

Traditions Past

Prism

Darius and I

Haunting Sea

Rain

Malcolm

The Great Philosopher

Evolution

II. Words from Eau Claire

Stepping out

The 10:00 P.M. News

Pink Sky

In Library Flight

The Old Man Sitting on the Porch

Neptune’s Hand: Ode to Elaine Morgan

If a tree falls…

Siren

Floating on Ashes and Cinders

Dying on the Page

Magic Box

Weather Changes

Winter Stars

Stars reply

Steve

The Rat’s Star

Bees

A Poem to the Sea

Leviathan

III. Words from Home

Portrait of a Stream

Tree Climber

The Ladder

The Muses

Popcorn

About the Author

This book is

dedicated to Chelsea, Camille, Carlee, Ryder and Colby, in the hope that I may be a positive influence in their lives.

Introduction

It might seem odd for someone who has lived virtually his entire life in Northwestern Wisconsin to write a book of poetry and prose about the sky and the sea. To be honest, I’m not sure I know the entire reason why myself. And while