Published

I’m actively seeking publication of some of my newer pieces. Here are some poems that were recently accepted or published beyond the confines of this blog. This page also links to a few pieces from my chapbook Tracks. I still have a few copies left; if you would like one, please email me.

Recently Published Poems and Interviews

Julie Laing reads one of her poems at the Boiler Room in Kalispell. Story and photos by Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake.

• “Half a Pint of Beer” at the Bar None Group, November 2011
• “free bird,” “blond boys,” and “next” with an interview at Bluebell Books, November 2011
• “Vicissitude,” “The Inner Room,” and “3 a.m.” in Inspiration Speaks, October 2011, available online in print and ebook form.
• “Inspiration” with an interview in The Daily Inter Lake, April 10, 2011 (poem in print version only)
• “Floating” in the literary journal Sketchbook, September/October 31, 2010, Volume 5, No. 5

Previously Published Poems

Shoes

It never was a fairytale
I’m too independent to play Cinderella
And you certainly were no Prince Charming
But I lost something
as fragile as glass
as ordinary as a slipper
More precious than a diamond

It’s funny
At the time my shoes were made of lead
I thought they were ugly
Square-toed and predictable
too dull to be real
too cheap to be necessary
With holes peppering the soles

It’s funny
How only now I can see the shine
And how they were a perfect fit
They never pinched my toes
or hurt after a long walk
or conformed my feet to their shape
I could wear them day after day

I always wanted a fairytale
But now that you are Romeo
I love life too much to play Juliet
So I take a breath and step outside
feeling each stone
feeling each blade of grass
Now that my feet are bare

—Julie Laing
This poem was first published in Calliope: The Literary Journal of Chapman University.

Selections from Tracks

• “free bird”
• “morning”
• “next”
• “sketch”

All selections © 1999 J.A. Laing.

The last copies of Tracks are going quickly, so make sure you have one in your collection. I’m still working on the best online distribution option, so for now please email me if you’re interested in a copy.