The Echo of Mountain Folk

Glenda Barrett is both a native of Appalachia and a phenomenal writer and artist. Today I am honored to share one of her poems with you.

Echoes

I cannot silence

the talk of war,

a rising drug market

or the cries of the homeless.

Yet, sheltered in the Appalachians,

I can be grateful for simple pleasures:

the surprise of the first snowflake,

a newborn colt on wobbly legs,

wild violets in the spring,

pink sunsets over blue mountains,

bales of hay in green pastures,

and a freshly plowed garden patch.

Yes, I am only one,

but I can follow in the footsteps

of my faithful ancestors,

people who were truthful,

who said what they meant

and meant what they said,

who held firm to their beliefs

and rose above their hardships.

People whose voices still echo

across these Blue Ridge Mountains,

I was born here, and I'll die here!

                              By Glenda Barrett

I met Glenda at Netwest Mountain Writers and Poets' monthly meeting, Coffee with the Poets. When I heard Glenda read about her Grandmother, and memories of growing up in the mountains-I simple fell in love with her writing. I immediately sensed she thought of Appalachia in the same way I do-as home.

Glenda's poems and essays have been published in a wide variety of publications such as Woman's World, Rural Heritage, Nostalgia, Smokey Mountain Living, Kaleidoscope, Georgia Magazine, Farm & Ranch Living, and many more. She has recently published a book of poetry "When the Sap Rises" which is available on Amazon.com.

Not only does Glenda write about Appalachia-she paints amazing scenes from her native life. They range from beautiful mountain landscapes to farm life and everything in between. You can find them at an on-line gallery Yessy.com.

Glenda summed up her view on Appalachia by saying "the mountain life is dear to me." Dear-yes, that pretty much sums it up for me too.

Hope you enjoyed Glenda's wonderful poem!

Tipper

Comments

[Chris]

Great poem! It really does express the values of the folks I've known in the Appalachia of VA, WV, and NC. I'm proud to count myself as one of them.

[Chris]

Lovely poem! It really does express the values inherent in the folks I've known in Appalachia. I'm proud to count myself one of them.

[Chris]

Lovely poem! It really does express the values inherent in the folks I've known in Appalachia. I'm proud to count myself one of them.

[Egghead]

Glenda has a way with words for sure. Very nice. Your collage of photos were great.

[Miss Cindy]

Love the poem. It certainly embodies my feelings about these mountain people and their/my values.
It is important to me to be truthful, to say what I mean
and mean what say,and to live according to my beliefs!!
Thanks for the wonderful poem and post!

[Paula]

I love the feeling of this poem and your collages with it are just perfect. Going to check out Glenda's other work now. Thanks for the links!

[Em]

Gorgeous, Tipper! Thanks for sharing so nicely with us all of the time! I always love visiting your blog (although I haven't been around in a little while)!

[petra michelle]

Morning Tipper! Absolutely beautiful poem. I think we all feel that way; the helplessness in a world full of sadness and strife, but finding comfort in yourself and home are the best we can do! She sounds like an amazing woman! Thank you for sharing, Tipper. :))

[Sarah]

Lovely!

[noble pig]

What beautiful writing.

[Renna]

You're right, she is very talented! Thank you for sharing her poetry with us, Tipper. :-)

[Carletta]

What an amazing poem! It was as if she were inside my head. The simple pleasurs part is so like me and what sustains me.Thanks so much for sharing it Tipper. You've made my day today.

[Fishing Guy]

Tipper: Thank you for sharing your friends poetry and adding your wonderful photography to boot. I love to vist your site.

[Darla]

Wow! That poem and your summary of Glenda, makes me want to visit!

[SandyCarlson]

Awesome poem! It challenges me to think of what is important--home, family, knowing where I am and why. Thanks for this wisdom.

[Louise]

Beautiful poem, even though that is not home to me. I love the photos you put with it. And even though it's not home, I can understand why it is to you and how the poem couldn't be about just anywhere that people call home... not even just any country place people call home.

[Glenda]

Glenda Barrett is one of the outstanding down to earth folks I met here in the mountains in a writing class at Tri-County College. Because her writing is as real as she is, it touches our hearts. Her essay, Mamaw's Porch, never fails to bring me to tears. I have fallen in love with Mamaw from the poems and stories I've heard and read about her.
Thanks for sharing Glenda's work.

[Jennifer in OR]

Wonderful, thanks for posting this! What a great writer's group you have there.

[Marie]

Yes, it was a lovely poem and I am happy to be acquainted now with her work through your blog. Thanks for posting this.

[Carolyn A.]

That was lovely and so well said. The pictures really brought it all alive too. You have a flair, Tipper, for taking something plain and turning it into something extraordinary. Wish I have your imagination. Thanks so much for sharing with us. xxoo

[Beckynsc]

We should all heed those words! Lovely poem! I like the collage pictures, great idea!

[Jan]

I enjoyed the poem very much and was reminded of home.

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

That's a great poem! Thanks for sharing :)

[Mark Salinas]

I enjoyed it very much...thanks you! :)