Writer’s Muse Magazine – WINTER 2013

  Writer’s Muse Group

  Copyright 2013 Writer’s Muse Group

  About Writer’s Muse Group:

  Writer’s Muse Group

  Cover Photography by Kathleen Chambers

  Interior Photography by Kathleen Chambers

  (except where noted and author photos)

  Layout: Sumiko Saulson

  Editing and Proofreading: Sumiko Saulson

  Founder of Writer’s Muse Group: Richard Cotton

  Seasonal Photography

  By Kathleen Chambers

  Kathleen Chambers has a beautiful family of six boys. She lives in a remote town that still has many buildings from the old western days. Ever since she can remember she loved to read and write stories. During her college years she took several creative writing courses, which she enjoyed very much. Her other passion is photography. Many years, she ran her own business taking family holiday photos and weddings. She likes to capture moments in time of a variety of sorts, from old barns, to old west buildings, to scenery.

  The photo on the cover is by Kathleen Chambers.

  Cathedral

  By Stephanie Mesler

  Ornament Photo by Kathleen Chambers

  There is a cathedral in these woods

  At the top of a frozen mountain

  At the end of a narrow and rutted road.

  Ice laden branches shelter the path.

  Cleated boots grip the slope.

  Wool encases extremities.

  Foggy breath precedes me.

  There are sounds in these woods:

  Whispers of falling snow,

  The brush of hooves in powder.

  Clouds wrap the world in cotton,

  Muffling voices, which,

  On a warmer day,

  Would echo down the hill.

  In the cathedral in these woods,

  There is no priest.

  There are no sacrificial lambs.

  Metamorphosis is the norm.

  No bells need sound transfiguration;

  No raised up host required

  To create collective hope.

  They are gathered in these woods,

  The people of the forest.

  They cluster at the top,

  Close to the sky,

  Closer to their Gods.

  They sing prayers for Spring

  And offer thanksgivings for Winter’s rest.

  About the Author

  Stephanie Mesler is the author of Soul Hill Lullabies (poetry), Ermengarde The Expansive (fairy tale), Adventures and Confessions of a Fat Lady Who Sings (memoir), and Love Lines (poetry TBR January 2014). Mesler is a former music instructor, actor and singer. Now she writes full time and her works can be found in print and on the web. Her blog is https://wwwAPoetsProgress.com

  Christmas is Lost

  By Richard Cotton

  Ornament Photo by Kathleen Chambers