The Fox at Dawn

The blossoms lengthened 
to prickle-skinned shafts,
butter and egg yolk yellow,
peeping from under broad fronds, jungle leaves,
looking like they belonged in the outskirts of Manila,
where he ordered a wife once.

From Heirlooms by Erin Miller Reid

Erin always brings gifts to lay on the little dining room table at Stuckey, one of the houses at the Hindman Settlement School in Knott County Kentucky, a chosen home for so many people since 1902. Writers gather there at the annual Appalachian Writer Workshop and several weekend retreats through the year. We work during the day and stay up late at night sharing gifts, swapping stories and catching up, and yes, partying.. When Erin opens her mouth to share a story, those who know her perk up their ears, waiting for the moment it turns south, because it always does only you don’t know where or how. Then boom! There it goes, and we howl or cover our ears. Don’t ask about examining rooms or the elephant that was hung for murder in Kingsport, Tennessee.

I love Erin and her generosity and her south turns. She writes poems and short stories and has a novel coming out in the Fall of 2026 that I can’t wait to get my hands on. Party on Dr. Reid. 

Erin is also Flood kin, here’s some of her flood writing:

https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2022/08/what-could-i-have-saved-eastern-ky-floods-took-our-present-but-also-our-past/

Here is where you can find out about her novel: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9781985904781/but-for-fortune/

A lovely shade of pink from Diamine. I thought it would be paler, the way it looks in the bottle.

My Advent Tree this year is dedicated to my writer friends and teachers. I am so grateful for all the light you shine in the darkness. 

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