Pen & Prose

Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Poetry of June: A Month of Sonnets and Gentle Ballads

The world blossoms in full bloom and days stretch like long golden ribbons. It is the soft entry before the heat of summer comes down on July days. It is the perfect poet’s muse full of warmth, the whisper of transformation, and the vibrant colors of creation that create the perfect venue for writing. Whether it’s the jubilant green of the trees, the lull of summer rain, or the nostalgia that lingers in its dusky evenings, June is a month that inspires poetry in every form.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Unstill Light: A Tribute to Poet Stanley Kunitz

Stanley Kunitz, The Unstill Light, illuminated language in his poetry like no other, yet never stood still in his artistic evolution. A former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Kunitz was a poet among poets. Kunitz’s portfolio is vast and worthy of recognition among the greatest poets in history. Kunitz was a gifted writer by anyone’s standard, and his work lives on today and will forever as one of America’s most acclaimed poets.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Whispers of a Willow: Poetry Conceived in the Wind

Swaying with the wind it brushes the long green boughs over the earth. Rooted in moist soil by the lake it stood strong for decades until the worst ice storm of the century. The damage was severe, but after pruning the miracle of the willow came to life once again. I knew the story must be told and given its rightful passage on the printed page. This is the backdrop of my poem, The Promise. The beauty of the willow is displayed on the cover of my book, Nature Sings.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Celebrating National Poetry Month: A Journey Through Verse

April is here, and it brings with it National Poetry Month, an annual celebration of the art of poetry and its impact on our culture, emotions, and imagination. Initiated in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, this month-long tribute invites people from all walks of life to embrace poetry and its value in our culture.  

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Influence of Tennessee’s Landscape on my Poetry

My journey of writing began as a child growing up on a farm in a rural town in Tennessee as I gazed upon the beauty of a picturesque landscape that encircled me from the front porch. Gathering my notebook and pen, I headed to the edge of the porch where I dreamed and dared to pen the language of my heart to paper.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Finding Solace in Nature-Inspired Poetry

Nature has an inherent ability to calm our minds and rejuvenate our spirits. The rustling of leaves, the gentle flow of a river, the vibrant colors of a sunset, and morning’s first song—these elements of nature have a way of grounding us, and reminding us of the beauty and simplicity of life.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Song of the Dove: The Inspiration behind the Poem

The Mourning Dove is a symbol of love and comfort and is seasonally monogamous. The soothing song of the Dove is a pleasant melody to many that recognize the wistful song when it shakes against the air.  

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Celebrating Nature’s Winter Wonder Through Verse

Winter is a time when nature showcases its serene beauty. Winter transforms the landscape into a blanket of white. Snow has a unique magic about it and tends to bring out the childlike nature in all of us. It transforms landscapes into winter wonderlands. Take a moment to celebrate the wonders of winter.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Journey of Tennessee’s Poet Laureate, Margaret Britton Vaughn

You write your poems and history will come…this one statement was like rain on newly planted seeds and propelled Maggi to the next level of her work. Throughout her early adulthood, Maggi continued to polish her skills by working at the The Tennessean/Banner in advertisement. From early on she had written country songs which ended up in the hands of some icons in country music at the time.   

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Majestic Cedar: Nature’s Timeless Sentinel

Cedar trees, with their towering presence and aromatic wood, have long been revered in various cultures around the world. The world of cedar trees is a fascinating one and have a storied past that dates back thousands of years.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Landmark Booksellers host local authors for Dickens of a Christmas Dec. 14-15.

Join Marlene Tidwell, Author & Poet, on Sunday, December 15, 1 - 2:30 pm at Landmark Booksellers in historic Franklin, TN during the 39th Annual Dickens of a Christmas. Dickens of a Christmas recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. A variety of musicians, dancers and Dickens characters will fill the streets. You will not want to miss the festivities!

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude has a solid foundation in science. Research shows that practicing gratitude can lead to numerous psychological, physical, and social benefits. Individuals who regularly practice gratitude experience higher levels of positive emotions, greater life satisfaction, and lower levels of depression and stress.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Autumn Bliss

The door to Autumn has opened wide. Colors greet us on hills and valleys, on lawns and in the park, beside the riverbank and everywhere our eye is turned.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Write from the Heart

Amid the beams and shadows, we all walk the stairwell with cracks of the heart.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

What Happened to the Whip-poor-will?

Whatever happened to the Whip-poor-will? Growing up on a farm I looked forward to the summer evenings when once again the Whip-poor-will serenaded the valley with a beautiful and unique song. It echoed through the forest and fields in a melody that punctuated the stillness of the night. Find out why the population is in decline.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

September Serenade

September Serenade - September sings a special song to usher in autumn with cooler days and a waning sun. Football games, bonfires and harvest festivals scent the air. Mums and pumpkins decorate our porches as we bid goodbye to the hot days of summer. The end of one season welcomes the next one that dresses each tree in vibrant colors. Bring on the autumn shades!

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

Majestic Masters of the Sky: Exploring the World of Eagles

Explore the world of the Majestic Masters of the Sky. Delve into the facts of interest that qualify the eagle as being unique and distinct from other birds. Learn more about their mating habits, their diet, vision and their miraculous comeback from near extinction.

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Marlene Tidwell Marlene Tidwell

The Cradle of Time

The Cradle of Time: A Poem of nostalgia that winds its way back through the pages of time.

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