Wild Greens

It’s August at Wild Greens and that means the Ekphrasis issue is here! Our prompt, simple: Create art, writing, music, and more in response to a work previously published by Wild Greens.

In this wonderfully inspired issue, our community responds to and builds upon our rich shared history of five volumes of Wild Greens.

Hayley J. Boyle's cover image watercolor, "Monsters in Moments," interprets Carly Lewis's short story "From where I grew, another followed" (March 2023). 

Patricia Joslin's poem, “To Read is Easier,” on writer’s block, responds to Kiley Miller’s essay “Words, Words, Words” from the April 2021 issue.

The first of three works by Melissa Lomax, “Be There” in acrylic and wood, takes its inspiration from the video poem “Escape” by David Brey (February 2022).

Robin Michel’s poem, “Dandelions,” on resilience, responds to Lisa Dailey’s acrylic and embroidery “Make a Wish” (May 2025).

Maggie Topel’s digital logo for this month gets as wild and green as possible.

Jeri Lewis Edwards’s poem, “You don’t know anything about pancakes (notes from conversations with my mother in a memory care unit),” inspired by “from the darkness the universe arises” collage by Irina Tall (January 2025), creates order and meaning from dislocation.

Melissa’s Lomax’s “Pumpkin Girl Thoughts” in liquid acrylic on rock after Pat Severin’s song “October Sky” (February 2025) connects fall weather with fond affection for a loved one.

In Liz Lydic’s short story, “Block Party,” the high stakes gossip of a neighborhood block party plays out in a letter an editor of a local paper, inspired by Turtle and Hare, “Neighbors,” by Lauren Kimball (July 2023).

“Snowy Cliff Dwelling,” photography and digital drawing by Melissa Lomax, positions an isolated but cozy home on a wintery mountain, in conversation with Irina Tall’s winter houses in her ink and gel pen “Untitled” (October 2023).

Will you become a part of our community this year, and see your own work reinterpreted in next year’s Ekphrasis issue? Have we inspired you? Who will you inspire?

-Rebecca

To Read is Easier

after "Words, Words, Words" by Kiley Miller

Dandelions

after "Make a Wish" by Lisa Dailey

You don't know anything about pancakes (notes from conversations with my mother in a memory care unit)

after "from the darkness the universe arises" by Irina Tall (Novikova)

Block Party

after "Neighbors" by Lauren Kimball

by Liz Lydic

Dear Editor,

On the one hand, thank you for recognizing the recently held N. Cardinal Avenue to E. Lanceleaf Rd. block party by including your write-up in the July 8 issue. This kind of local activity is not covered enough in your press, which is odd, considering how deep your pockets must be from charging such high prices for real estate listings. However, and I hate to point this out, because I’m not a big fan of negativity, but an unfortunate and glaring miscalculation in the article was the statement of Ms. Whitney Steggart’s (1465 E. Lupine St.) involvement in the event. While Whitney Steggart did take on the “backbreaking” task of “spreading the word” to the residents in our neighborhood, you can’t exactly have a party without:

I genuinely hate to say this, but someone did obtain those things, and the journalism performed by Umpqua Press on July 8 was not entirely comprehensive. I can’t argue with the truth that Whitney Steggart was “extremely instrumental” (publication’s words, not mine. As a matter of transparency, all the instances where I use quotation marks are verbatim chunks of text from reporter Joshua Pankeswky’s article) in the “high” attendance of the block party, including the presence of the Berfauser family (124 N. Aster St.), who are newcomers from Dallas; the Nichols sisters (393 E. Iris Rd. Unit #12); and most of all, local hermit Mr. Tescione (138 N. Aster St.), who many people—including children annually on Halloween—have not seen for years. And it is nice to know he is still alive, and apparently able to attend a block party when Whitney Steggart extends an invitation, though he has not responded to other suggestions of involvement (Girl Scout cookie sales, request to purchase same style recycling bins to create a sense of uniform curb appeal, or placing a simple string of Christmas lights along the perimeter of a roofline—like every other household is capable of pulling off). 

But—“and here she goes again,” I can hear you saying, Editor—Mr. Tescione surely enjoyed the crudites and turkey pinwheels and brownie bites that someone who was not Whitney Steggart provided. You could almost say that Mr. Tescione was a horse led to water by Whitney Steggart, but she did not actually provide the water he then drank (but someone else who was not mentioned in the article did provide the water. Sparkling water, to be exact; three different flavors: Key Lime, Blackberry Twist, and Pomegranate Paradise. The same person provided giant Connect 4 and cornhole games, extra trash bags, hot dogs, vegan dogs, et. al, as well as a thought-out agenda, and the proactive and successful rule to not allow residents to invite non-neighborhood guests). The question that remains, then: would it have even BEEN a block party if not for the planning? 

I really hate to say this, but just because someone is POPULAR and WELL-CONNECTED does not automatically make them the reason the block party was “a good time had by all.” 

What if Whitney Steggart, “the mastermind behind this extraordinary coming-together of people, now burgeoning with a sense of community pride” had done “the lord’s work of rousing up residents” only to have them walk up to a plain old street? 

A street without the Eagles’ greatest hits playing on mini speakers placed every half block, or both restaurant-style AND scoops-style Tostitos, or a bounce house, or insurance waivers, or the kid-friendly slime-making station, or a two-hour surprise visit from a mime. Could a “mastermind” have pulled those things out of her buns, Jason? Or, more importantly, DID she? 

It’s apparent your journalism degree has made a lasting impact on our blocks: encouragement for Whitney Steggart to continue “a hopefully new, long-standing and meaningful tradition for lucky residents of this quaint 6-block radius”; and soul-crushing for others wishing as of July 8 to move out of state, who have put their home on the market, and who do not care for your publication’s high prices for house sale listings but do appreciate the ability to write a free letter to the editor.

Our bungalow-style former model home (1683 E. Lanceleaf Rd.) was recently upgraded and is turn-key, with a stunning open concept and a whopping 2.5 baths. New appliances, doors, and molding are highlighted by a fresh coat of paint. Dramatic foyer, vaulted ceilings, and great location near schools. Comes with a garage full of folding tables, decorations, leftover sparkling water, grills, and a one-year amplified sound permit. 

Sincerely,

Barbara Meckes