Poems of Rachael Z. Ikins

Poems and Notes

Rachael's poetry covers topics from lesbian/romantic/erotica/and love to all aspects of nature and the natural world...birth, death, spirituality, coming of age, family, friendship, poetry writing, animals we love, or the small details a/k/a belly-button lint of daily life.

Whether writing free verse or sonnets or haiku, Rachael likes to say that nothing escapes the poet's eye. That you must take care when in the company of a poet. You never know when something you have said or done or worn might appear as the launch-board for some poetic idea. And then you might be in the audience listening to a version of a story you told that was adapted by the lilt and music of a poet's ear. Not embarrassed, hurt, or revealed, but rather surprised and hopefully, pleased.

Rachael also tells us that to be able to share that "someone left my reading in tears" or "dissolved in laughter" are two of the highest compliments a listener or reader can pay a writer. The artist then knows her/his job was well and rightly done. That resonant connection that evokes feeling in the audience...

Please check out the list of Rachael's teaching articles and blogs on poetry writing to which you can link to from the right column.

The following poems have won prizes and or appeared in single publications. We have not listed all that she has published as there simply is not space here. For the reader and viewer to get a taste of Rachael's work, we'd like to offer these for your pleasure. Feel free to print copies and to pass them on. Poetry has wings. It just needs a hand to open the cage door and lift it aloft. Set free to fly.

Winter Chorus - First Prize, National League of American Penwomen, 2005

Girlie - Honorable Mention, National League of American Penwomen, 2004. Girlie was also published on the following website www.kjlyons.com.

Cape Cod - First Prize, Rebecca Eddy Contest, Canastota, NY 2007. Cape Cod has also appeared in the online journal, Diversity Rules, October 2007

After You Took Your Love Away - Second Prize, Rebecca Eddy Contest, Canastota, NY 2005

The Pigs of Nelson - First Prize, National League of American Penwomen, 2008. A slightly different version of this poem is appearing in Rachael's upcoming chapbook "Slide-Show In The Woods" Foothills Publishing 2009.

A Summer's Grief - Honorable Mention, National League of American Penwomen 2008

New Years Day Looking Over The Valley - First Prize, National League of American Penwomen, 2004

Nine-Thirty p.m., Sunday - appeared in Encore magazine in 1970 - thus beginning Rachael's career as a professional poet.

Rachael's Blogs:

Rachael's Articles:

Other Links:

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