The Poetry Well is a monthly column that showcases island poetry. This month includes a poem by Mary G.L. Shackelford.

Child In The Swing

The child in the swing

Goes over the moon

Knees and toes

Beat the air

To gain momentum

In and out

The pulsing of blood

The drumbeat.

Breath of life

Rhythmic pumping

Heart beat

Lung beat

Making love

Your life is a cup

Catching the flow of grace.

Give it all away.

Shackelford’s creative work is largely expressed through her involvement with community arts on Vashon. First as a volunteer then as executive director with Vashon Allied Arts in the late 1970s, she also served for 10 years as performing arts coordinator, literary arts coordinator, grant writer and as a regular contributor to the monthly newsletter. Through her outreach, many regional poets and writers came to the Blue Heron Art Center for workshops and readings in the 80s and 90s.

Shackelford conceived of many performance readings for the annual literary arts program, bringing islanders together to compile scripts, provide artistic direction and organize workshops. She participated as a reader and performer in dozens of shows, including some that featured her original work. With Shirley Ferris, her most recent endeavor of this kind was “Heart of Vashon” (2016).

As a member of Laughing Dog Press, Shackelford worked with Rayna Holtz, Ann Spiers, Melane Lohman and others to publish handmade poetry chapbooks in the 80s. Her most recent publication is a three-book series of handbound limited editions called “Song in My Belly” (2015) with photographs taken by B. Candy Gamble.