When First I Heard Him Sing

Yesterday, I received a mystery package in the mail.  It turned out to be a copy of the Timberline Review – “a voluntary literary journal operated by Willamette Writers.”  About the journal, poet Kim Stafford wrote, ““In the Timberline Review, each poem and story is a beacon calling to the best in us to read deeper, climb higher.”

As soon as the book was released from its wrappings, I knew the who and the why of it.  And there on the back cover among the names of the writers included in this particular issue was “Casey Killingsworth.”  He had told me last summer that he had submitted some of his poems to a few publications and he would “let me know.”  The back story goes way back—to 1993!

That’s the year Casey arrived as Oysterville’s new postmaster.  He quickly became an integral part of our community and found a permanent place in our hearts. During the years he was here, he met and married Cynthia, oversaw the restoration of the Oysterville Schoolhouse, always had a joke or story to tell his customers and, in our case (probably in many other cases) became an extended member of our family.  He even delivered mom’s mail when she was no longer able.

In 1996, his first book of poetry, a handbook for water, was published by Cranberry Press which was then located in Oysterville way out on Stackpole Road.  My uncle Willard wrote the introduction in which he said:  He has created here a remarkable community of poems and songs – at once joyous and sad, exhilarating and heart-breaking. 

By then, we had heard Casey sing some of his own compositions and so his poetry came as an affirmation, not a surprise.   Every time we get together – which is not often enough, now that he and Cynthia live ‘out of sight’ (though never out of mind) – I ask and cajole and probably whine.  “Are you writing?  Have you submitted anything?”

The mysterious package in the mail was my answer!  And, in response to my kudos and clapping, I received an email from him with a P.S. that said: I had a good year of having poems accepted. Here are a few and he included this link:  https://www.cogzine.com/copy-of-poetry-master-4  I hope you read them.  Then you, too, will hear him sing.

One Response to “When First I Heard Him Sing”

  1. Meagan says:

    I love all your posts… but this one is my favorite ??

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