New May Swenson poem, reflecting on connections between nature and sexuality, published in Isotope: A Journal of Literary Nature and Science Writing
Isotope: A Journal of Literary Nature and Science Writing has printed a previously unpublished rare poem in its fall/winter issue of 2006. May Swenson’s “The Maiden in the Grass” was published as a part of the new “Discovery” category, which focuses on unpublished work by naturalists, scientists and writers.
“Maiden in the Grass” is an exploration of the physical link between human sexuality and the natural world, themes common to many of Swenson’s writings. Lines such as, “little wistful Grass your roots are white as my arms,” show moments of identity between the human and natural world. Swenson then moves from identity to moments of physical interaction and connection: “Shaggy rug of grass on which my body is pressed, my heart leaps against thee, Grass…do you hear my heart?” Swenson weaves a sense of the erotic throughout her poem: “Come gently to me Wind and pass a hand along my thighs,” she writes.
The publication of the poem was made possible by the May Swenson Literary Estate and the co-executors Rozanne Knudson and Carole Berglie. Special thanks also goes to Utah State Professor of English Paul Crumbley for his assistance.
May Swenson’s engaging imagery and eccentric use of the natural world characterize this poem and much of her other writing. Born into a large Mormon family in Logan, Utah in 1919, Swenson produced 11 volumes of poetry over the course of her career. She earned a B.S. from Utah State University in 1939 and went on to teach poetry at numerous universities including USU. She is the author of The Complete Love Poems of May Swenson and Nature: Poems Old and New, among other works. Body My House edited by Paul Crumbley and Patricia M. Gantt, the first collection of critical essays on her work, was published by the Utah State University Press in November 2006.
Isotope has forthcoming reprints in Best American Science and Nature Writing, and Best Creative Nonfiction. Isotope is also a grant recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Isotope is a bi-annual publication of the Utah State University English Department. Single issues of Isotope 4.2 are available for $5. Readers can order online at http://isotope.usu.edu or by writing to Isotope, Department of English, Utah State University, 3200 Old Main Hill, Logan , UT , 84322-3200 . A one-year subscription is $10, two-year is $18. Please make checks payable to Isotope.
#
For more information, contact Isotope Editor, Chris Cokinos at 435-797-3351 or email at ccokinos@english.usu.edu.
Prepared by Kacy Lundstrom, Editorial Assistant.
