Poetry Lessons with Carol R. Sunde, author of Through Pine Shadows
Retirement has proven to be more rewarding than Carol Sunde anticipated. Her collection of poetry, Through Pine Shadows, was recently published by Moonpath Press, marking a significant milestone in her post-career life.
Carol R. Sunde, poet and author of Through Pine Shadows
Carol has lived in Westport for 30 years. Originally from Iowa, she made her way to the South Beach from Bakersfield, California, after seeing a job posting for a college counselor position at Grays Harbor College. Upon getting the job, Carol realized she could live a seven minute walk from the beach. That’s when she packed up her cats and made Westport home.
Poetry has always been in Carol’s life. She traces her love of it back to childhood. She fondly remembers her mother reading nursery rhymes and verses to her- the rhythm and words were like a song, with the words themselves becoming the music. Later, in high school, she and her brother would recite poems to one another for fun. But it wasn’t until retirement that Carol started to write poetry as a way to express her life experiences.
Poem by Carol R. Sunde
“I think poetry is a way of exploring oneself,” Carol explains. “Every now and then, I’d try to understand what was going on with me. Sometimes it was easier to explore it within a poem. There was one day I was walking on the beach and it was getting toward the evening, and there was this absolutely gorgeous jellyfish. It was like a bowl. And I thought to myself- I can’t just have this for me, and maybe I should learn how to share it in words.”
With more free time, Carol immersed herself in poetry, driving weekly to Seattle to earn a Certificate in Poetry from the University of Washington. She joined the Olympia Poetry Network and a writing group, where she could get feedback, share ideas, and discuss all things poetry. “If you’re in the right group it can be very helpful,” says Carol. “The focus is on making the poem as good as it possibly can be. And knowing when to quit. For me, I like to think my poetry is accessible and relatable. I draw on personal experience, but also imagination.”
Through Pine Shadows book cover.
Those workshops and connections inspired Carol to submit her work to various websites and publications. Her poems have appeared in Passager, The Comstock Review, and Raven Chronicles. However, she admits that seeing her collection published as a book has been the true highlight. “It’s kind of hard to believe,” says Carol with a smile. “It has all been very exciting and there’s my name on it right there. It sure feels rewarding.”
Through Pine Shadows is available from most on-line booksellers, and Carol is actively seeking local venues to carry her book. More information can be found on Moonpath Press.
My Poetry Lesson from Carol
I have read poetry. I don’t often read poetry. After meeting Carol and reading Through Pine Shadows, I was moved in ways I hadn’t expected. Her poems truly are accessible and relatable, just as she describes. One poem, “After the Call.” which reflects on the loss of her mother, brought me to tears—my own mother passed away just a few weeks ago.
I laughed out loud reading “Love Story,” a poem about lost love. The words are so lyrical yet I sense the scorn and the ending is so full of sass. That is my interpretation anyway- and I suppose each person may feel differently, which in essence is the beauty of poetry.
I asked Carol about the relevance of poetry in today’s world, and what purpose it serves. She shared this thoughtful response: “I think it’s to entertain, to make people feel. To make them think, ‘Oh, I’ve experienced that too.’ It reminds people they are not alone in life. It’s also an opportunity to learn and grow. Poetry is an art form that expands your world and makes it a little richer.”
Such a lovely answer. After reading Through Pine Shadows, I certainly feel enriched. Thank you, Carol, for sharing your poetry with all of us.
