One would think that the Eastern Shore landscape, with its flat, simple lines of farms and water, would not be the ideal target for poetry. Robert Frost’s New England, or Mark Strand’s Prince Edward Island, for example, seem more fitting a geography, with their ample supply of curves and bends, rather than the horizontal world found in and around Chestertown. And yet poet Meredith Davies Hadaway has continued to successfully use the Chester for a second collection of poetry entitled The River is a Reason, to be released this month from Word Press.
As one of her colleagues said to her, “the poem is always smarter than you are.” Hadaway shows how really smart they can be by casting light on the deeper elements that a river like the Chester can yield through observation. She is, to use Christopher Fry’s words, exploring her own amazement, which benefits all who know and enjoy this special place. The Chestertown Spy caught up with her last week at her home on the Chester.
Marcia Landskroener says
Eloquently said. The Chester River continues to speak to all of us who pause to listen, and Meredith gives clear voice to its mysteries. Readers, you are in for a treat. Now that the winter storm churning up the Chester has postponed Meredith’s book launch from this evening until tomorrow, there’s no reason to miss this celebration, now set for Thursday evening, January 27, at 6 pm in the Egg performance space of Hodson Hall at Washington College. It’s only a matter of weeks before we’re out on the river again. In the meantime, let’s get together with friends to remember through poetry, song and images exactly why we live here.
Carla Massoni says
Wonderful! Put on your “pointy toed shoes” and plan to be in the audience tonight! Congratulations, Meredith!