Margaret Wilson draws on her inspiration, the sky, the natural landscape, and her tremendous curiosity about life for her poems and art.
A line from one of the poems in her book, My Jingles: Merkie’s Muse, sums it up — “I opened a door called poetry and the words came tumbling out.”
The book brings together poetry on a variety of topics with her watercolours. The cover is a new painting done for the book called Shadow Dancers — Poet’s Pen.
“I’ve been writing and doing art for a long time and it seemed like the right time to share. I’m always writing and seeing pictures in my mind. I will be driving and poetry is running through my mind and I have to do something with it,” she said.
“A friend told me she couldn’t believe I wasn’t published, that I was depriving poetry lovers. I’ve had a lot of positive comments about the book from people and on my web site.”
Originally from Radium Hot Springs, she has lived around the province as she and her husband raised their family and has been in Okanagan for the past 20 years.
“I was always interested in the world around me but I didn’t write as a child. When my daughter was writing haiku in school I tried it and that got me started. I’ve always loved using words and I enjoy the challenge of making a poem with random words.
“I think artists have to follow what their hearts tell them — that’s where your true joy comes in your life. The lesson I am learning is not to be afraid to share what I have done.”
Wilson said her poetry is a way to face things in her life, the negative and positive.
“I hope readers will come away with the feeling of being uplifted and hopeful. I call myself a hopeful rebel.”
My Jingles: Merkie’s Muse (Merkie is Wilson’s childhood nickname) is available at Xlibris.com, amazonbooks.com and Barnes and Noble.com.
Wilson will be signing copies of the book Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bookland.
