By Iris Dawn Spring, Vashon Poet Laureate Poetry is for everyone! Acrostic poems are a great exercise, whether seasoned poet or new to writing, and can appeal to all ages. The first letter of each line reads out a word or phrase when read vertically. They can be sweet and simple or staggeringly complex. The…
October 2026, Poetry
To Say the Least
Description: The Least Sandpiper is a small shorebird, about the size of a sparrow, with brownish upper parts, white lower parts streaked with brown on the chest. They have yellow legs and a short, thin, black bill. Interesting Tidbit: The Least Sandpiper is the smallest shorebird in the world, weighing in at only 1 ounce….
Nature, October 2026, Poetry
Two Poems (and More) From Birdbrains
A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds, edited by Susan Rich, is a one-of-a-kind Washington State bird guide. The anthology includes original pen and ink sumi-e paintings by artist Hiroko Seki, bird fact notes, and short poems/stories/memoir. Poems/prose are bird-focused rather than human centered. The bird notes…
Poetry, September 2026
Dolly
By Laura C. Lippman Dolly Driving I-90 through the dark Wyoming night summer 1972, two-thirds the way from Philly to Seattle, no one waiting at my destination, the only radio station in the whole godforsaken state was Country. I had been traveling to the beat of a different drum singing Linda Ronstadt to myself, belting…
Poetry, September 2026
For a Friend
In July issue’s “With Wand and Shawl: the Investiture of Vashon’s New Co-Poets Laureate,” we welcomed Iris Spring and C. Hunter Davis into this shared role. The Loop is delighted to print this poem by Iris Dawn Spring. For a Friend Sometimes I think if you. I wonder, do you think of me too? Don’t…
Nature, Poetry, September 2026
Two Poems (and More) From Birdbrains
A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds, edited by Susan Rich, is a one-of-a-kind Washington State bird guide. The anthology includes original pen and ink sumi-e paintings by artist Hiroko Seki, bird fact notes, and short poems/stories/memoir. Poems/prose are bird-focused rather than human centered. The bird notes…
August 2026, Poetry
Bars of Soap
In July issue’s “With Wand and Shawl: the Investiture of Vashon’s New Co-Poets Laureate,” we welcomed Iris Spring and C. Hunter Davis into this shared role. Please enjoy a poem by C. Hunter Davis. When summer ended my mother putthe bars of soap in a tinso we wouldn’t be pestered byants and mice.All winter long…
Poetry
Global Warming: No Such Thing
The temperatures in Europebroke records yesterdayfor the third straight year. The news reporteda three-year-old locked himselfin the family car and died. His Dad was gardening.His Mother was napping.Whose fault could thispossibly be? ~ Laura C. Lippman Laura C. Lippman is a retired family practice physician and poet. Her two collections of poetry, The Catastrophist’s Daughter…
Announcements, July 2026, Poetry
With Wand and Shawl: The Investiture of Vashon’s New Co-Poets Laureate
By Jane Valencia On Summer Solstice Eve, poets and poetry lovers gathered from the Island and across the water to celebrate our new poets laureate, Iris Spring and C. Hunter Davis. The event took place at the Open Space for the Arts & Community, which now shepherds Vashon’s Poet Laureate program. Initiated in 2011, with…