FUN

American Life in Poetry 872

BY KWAME DAWES

Shara McCallum never uses the word “haunt,” but the poem is about the haunting of those who have gone before. Yet the haunting is purposeful. It is shot through with the poet’s sense that she owes the dead some accountability, and the dead seem to agree. As necessary as it is to read “No Ruined Stone” as a broad meditation on the legacy of a troubled history, (the poem, “No Ruined Stone” is the title poem of her new collection that, among other things, explores the implications of transatlantic slavery), at its emotional core, is a tender accounting of loss and memory. This grandmother, one senses, is also haunting by inhabiting everything the poet sees around her. This fierce presence is the unusual but quite familiar theme of her elegy.

No Ruined Stone

BY SHARA MCCALLUM

May 2018: for my grandmother

When the dead return they will come to you in dream and in waking, will be the bird knocking, knocking against glass, seeking a way in, will masquerade as the wind, its voice made audible by the tongues of leaves, greedily lapping, as the waves’ self-made fugue is a turning and returning, the dead will not then nor ever again desert you, their unrest will be the coat cloaking you, the farther you journey from them the more distance will maw in you, time and place gulching when the dead return and demand accounting, wanting everything you have to give and nothing will quench or unhunger them as they take all you make as offering. Then tell you to begin again.

Corner Corner Quote Quote

“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas: It brings people together while time stands still. Cozy couples lazily meandered the streets and children trudged sleds and chased snowballs. No one seemed to be in a rush to experience anything other than the glory of the day, with each other, whenever and however it happened.”

— Rachel Cohn BIG SKY BEATS

Cozy Winter

As snowflakes float elegantly through the air outside, covering mountain tops and settling on evergreens, it’s time to relax, cozy up by the fire and enjoy a warm mug of hot cocoa. As Phoebe Bridgers softly sings in “If We Make it Through December:” “It’s the coldest time of winter, And I shiver when I see the falling snow.” Sometimes it’s okay to enjoy the beauty of the winter wonderland from the comfort of your home.

Explore Big Sky brings you a playlist to snuggle up to this winter.

1. “Warm Glow” by Hippo Campus 2. “If We Make it Through December” by Phoebe Bridgers 3. “Winter Can’t Change” by Boy Named Banjo 4. “Holocene” by Bon Iver 5. “Morning Song” by The Avett Brothers 6. “Time after Time” by Iron & Wine 7. “Golden Embers” by Mandolin Orange 8. “Winter Song” by The Head and the Heart 9. “Alone” by Trampled by Turtles 10. “Keep the Wolves Away” by Uncle Lucius

During the holidays and throughout the year, the L&K team is proud to support a variety of local charities. Please join us in supporting the charities each team member has chosen to gift to during the season of giving.

EJ DAWS Sales Associate, Realtor Big Sky Bravery - bigskybravery.org I feel passionate to support the men and women of Special Operations who work and risk their lives around the world to keep us safe here at home. They do it quietly and with honor. ETHAN STOKES Sales Associate Museum of the Rockies - museumoftherockies.org I chose to give to the Museum of the Rockies because they are a great organization that works tirelessly to bring unique culture and history into our community. They also provide amazing educational platforms and programs for kids to learn and explore. CARRIE BRYAN Sales Associate & Transaction Coordinator Big Sky Food Bank - bigskyfoodbank.org I support the Big Sky Food Bank, they’re a very vital business here in our community helping those in need of emergency food or just a little help throughout the year. Without them, so many members of our community would be without food and support.

Darren Streets Sales Associate, Realtor Task Force Heroes - taskforceheroes.org I chose this group because they are passionate about providing Christian based spiritual and emotional support to first responders, military and law enforcement which enables them to overcome the trauma and stress that they encounter being on the front lines of helping our community and defending our country. Michael Pitcairn Broker Heart of the Valley - heartofthevalley.org I chose Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter because of the incredible work they do to provide a home for animals in need. For me, animals have always been a great source of companionship and also provide the extra motivation to get outside and explore. Please do whatever you can to ensure our defenseless animals have a nice temporary home until they can be adopted. Please visit heartofthevalley.org to find out how you can help today. Thank you. Ennion Williams Sales Associate Gallatin River Task Force - gallatinrivertaskforce.org I am choosing this charity as water quality and quantity is one of the largest concerns for a growing town like Big Sky.

Blake Kaufman Sales Associate Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - rmef.org I chose RMEF because as an outdoorsman, I value preserving and protecting our natural resources. It’s our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities we do today. Ryan Kulesza Owner & Broker Western Sustainability Exchange - westernsustainabilityexchange.org This is a group that’s making active steps to not only do food production in environmentally conscience ways but also creating distribution and retail hubs for local producers to sell product. They are helping farmers and ranchers to be successful again. Their educational guidance has lead to 100,000’s acres being improved and better availability of foods to all of us. Eric Ladd Owner Tsering's Fund - tseringsfund.org The mission of Tsering's Fund is to provide help to the underprivileged in Nepal through private donations. They find deserving children, young women and families in Nepal and help change their lives through educational scholarships, medical care and basic living assistance.

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