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…
Poetry
Before the Great Yawn of July
By C. Hunter Davis, Vashon Poet Laureate ~ C. Hunter Davis, Poet Laureate
July 2026, Poetry
Song of Summer Solstice
Do not weep when the Sun will seem to be receding soonSing to this longest day of the year and its eternal dawn Sing to the Summer, that vast expanse of blue above greenAnd to the way that Time slows down at the top of its wheel Lop-sided with gravity every six months, leaning in…
July 2026, Poetry
Grass and Stars
We listen to the voicethat says grass and starsthe voice that knows perfectlyhow to describe luminescence. We wait patiently onthe foothold of Marchto see early crocusand daffodils pushingthrough earth’s cold skin. We remember soft slippersawait us at the foot of the bed. The moon and sun rise againand again in the eternal blanket of heavenas…