“This poem came about as I began playing with alliteration,” says Debra Kraft of Pinckney, Michigan.  “The recurring sound of the letter ‘s’ began to make me think of sand in a whispering wind, and ultimately of the dunes.  Over a period of months, I found myself adding words, changing words, and experimenting with formats until I finally arrived at the current version, which is intended to give the visual appearance of a dune or hill that gradually descends from the summit, but not at a consistent angle.  Portions of this poem, like the dunes that inspired it, remind me of being a child.  Too small to make the climb, I slid backwards and giggled in “silly shrill squeals” with every step I took.”

Sleeping Bear Dunes

the wind

whispers sifting

shifting soft streams

of sliding sand gliding

sand swirling in swiftly

whipping a gift of frivolous

spores seeping into the pores of

every poured drifter who wanders

unwary enticing toes buried in sun

washed white grains it summons sweet

strains out of childish play an inane serenade

in silly shrill squeals such delicious soft peals

sneaking snickering laughs amidst challenging

gaffs from scavenging gulls scoring lost souvenirs

slyly ravaging holes in soul-stealing pride as each

downward ride sends more sand shifting and sifting

and drifting and streaming as sliders slip into dreaming

soon blissfully scheming to finally surrender to old mother

bear who’s always there watching awaiting her small island

cubs sand-worn and weary     s  u  s  p  e  n  d  e  d i n  t i m e

Debra Kraft attended Wayne State University as a merit scholar in the early 80s, where she studied under Detroit poet M.L. Liebler. Recent publishing credits include a poetry book  published in 2004, and a fantasy novella, “A Throne’s Stowaway,” published last year in the web-based magazine Lorelei Signal. Her speculative poem “In the End” is expected to appear in Aberrant Dreams before the end of this year. More of her poetry can be found through her website, www.dmkraft.com.

The Manitou Music Festival is this Sunday-July 20, 7:00 p.m.

Ride the chair lift, take a golf cart, or walk to the top of the ski hill at The Homestead for a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and music by the Neptune Quartet.  Formed in 2001, the quartet is a collaboration of cellist Crispin Campbell, Don Julin on mandolin, guitarist Angelo Meli, and bassist Glenn Wolff. The group plays original compositions as well as music by the likes of Django Reinhardt, Frank Zappa and Hank Williams.

Tickets $15 advance/$18 door.  Tickets are also available at Glen Arbor Arts Association office (231.334.6112) until 3:00 P.M. on Friday and at Lake Street Studios (231.334.3179 ) over the week-end 11:00-5:00.

Chair lift and golf carts will start running at 6:00p.m.  Chairs will be set up, but concert goers are welcome to bring blankets for grass seating.  Rain location on site in the beautiful Mountain Flower Meeting Center.

The Homestead asks that concert goers not bring food or drink to this event.  Restaurants on the grounds will be open and a cash beverage bar will be set up at the venue: beer/$5.00 bottle or can, red and white wine/$7.00 per cup, soda/$3.00 per can, water/$4.00 per bottle, fruit juice/$4.00 per bottle.

GAAA would also like to thank this year’s Manitou Music Festival Sponsors: The Homestead Resort, Cherry Republic, Anderson’s Market, Art’s Tavern, and the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce.