poetry

HUMP DAY CALLS (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

I recently had the opportunity to speak with author, T.R. Monroe, on his Hump Day Calls Podcast. We talked about my newest books, WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, which are both available now.

We also had a lengthy discussion about the creative process, writing, and travel. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: SLEEPY SEA and DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, available for preorder now. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

The Lady of Shalott

| Bonnie Kelso

I’ve been taking these old art postcards I’ve collected over the years and altering them in my sketchbook. “The Lady of Shalott,” is a painting by John William Waterhouse. It was inspired by Lord Tennyson’s poem about a woman who is an artist. She weaves in a tower and lives an isolated life. She can only watch the people living their lives near the city of Camelot. She can’t even look at them directly, only through their reflection in a mirror. Here’s a portion of the poem:

There she weaves by night and day, a magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say, a curse is on her if she stay
to look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be, and so she weaveth steadily,
and little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

One day she is tempted by the sight of Sir Lancelot who is very handsome. She breaks her spell, and looks upon him directly. The mirror shatters and she knows because of the curse that her time is running out. She takes a boat towards Camelot, but dies before it arrives. Lancelot looks over her tragic death with sympathy.

Lady of Shalott SM Continue reading →

Every Crumb Is Special

| Bonnie Kelso

CrumbsSm

Looking at my plate,
there are a dozen crumbs staring back up at me.
With every bite
another cluster of crumbs falls.
Each one a unique experience.
Each one with a story to tell. Continue reading →