Appalachia Bare (2024)

01/08/2024

. . . The entire process takes only minutes, but any sentient being can deduce that the agony is so extreme as to seem to last for eternity. I have a confession to make, Bruno. I’m going to enjoy watching you cook like a pig over a . . ....

. . . The entire process takes only minutes, but any sentient being can deduce that the agony is so extreme as to seem to last for eternity. I have a confession to make, Bruno. I’m going to enjoy watching you cook like a pig over a . . .

24/07/2024

Make me the promise that you’ll never leave this coal slurry town. Sing . . ....

Make me the promise that you’ll never leave this coal slurry town. Sing . . .

17/07/2024

Ruminating on the day, the peach and purple sky giving way to black, I was drawn back to the morning’s service and the disembodied sound of a dulcimer plucking out the mournful . . ....

Ruminating on the day, the peach and purple sky giving way to black, I was drawn back to the morning’s service and the disembodied sound of a dulcimer plucking out the mournful . . .

10/07/2024

I think it is a snake, see how it bends. Kate says it is a hound, sleek for the chase, but whether hound or snake, swift it was not, for old men who use canes . . ....

I think it is a snake, see how it bends. Kate says it is a hound, sleek for the chase, but whether hound or snake, swift it was not, for old men who use canes . . .

03/07/2024

As the funyak dropped on its side, it rapidly filled with water and soon flipped over, throwing me into the churning waters. Under I went even with a life jacked on. As I came to the surface I discovered that the funyak was on top of me, and since no amount of thrashing could get it off of me and I stayed under water. As my breath started to run out . . ....

As the funyak dropped on its side, it rapidly filled with water and soon flipped over, throwing me into the churning waters. Under I went even with a life jacked on. As I came to the surface I discovered that the funyak was on top of me, and since no amount of thrashing could get it off of me and I....

27/06/2024

Her deep connection with these Appalachian Mountains is evident in her poetry. Her words encapsulate the very essence of this region – from ancestors to the natural world and in between. Her own mountain spirit and philosophy of interconnectedness flow through her poetry . . ....

Her deep connection with these Appalachian Mountains is evident in her poetry. Her words encapsulate the very essence of this region – from ancestors to the natural world and in between. Her own mountain spirit and philosophy of interconnectedness flow through her poetry . . .

12/06/2024

It looked like all his worldly possessions were in the cart. He was holding up a cardboard sign that said, “Please Help.” Next to him, sitting at his feet, was a small brown dog. Like everyone else, I passed him by, but, as I drove away, it began to bother me. I’m not wealthy, but I could certainly . . ....

It looked like all his worldly possessions were in the cart. He was holding up a cardboard sign that said, “Please Help.” Next to him, sitting at his feet, was a small brown dog. Like everyone else, I passed him by, but, as I drove away, it began to bother me. I’m not wealthy, but I could cert...

05/06/2024

It was early springtime, where down by the sleepy willows, brilliantly flocked buttercups were . . ....

It was early springtime, where down by the sleepy willows, brilliantly flocked buttercups were . . .

29/05/2024

We work our way next through a scruffy zone of ironweed, oxeye daisies and Queen Anne’s lace, then plunge to shade under trees, passing through a smattering of jewelweed, poison ivy and monkey flower. Then, at last, in deep shade, we come to water . . ....

We work our way next through a scruffy zone of ironweed, oxeye daisies and Queen Anne’s lace, then plunge to shade under trees, passing through a smattering of jewelweed, poison ivy and monkey flower. Then, at last, in deep shade, we come to water . . .

25/05/2024

Standing on the edge of the road and looking up and down the hill, there really was no road. Just debris and rubble, with no viable means of transportation. Many of the buildings on either side of the road were damaged. No water in sight. To me, it looked like a war zone. The street had been . . ....

Standing on the edge of the road and looking up and down the hill, there really was no road. Just debris and rubble, with no viable means of transportation. Many of the buildings on either side of the road were damaged. No water in sight. To me, it looked like a war zone. The street had been . . .

15/05/2024

Clouds pinwheel atop mountain-pleated land, celebrating . . ....

Clouds pinwheel atop mountain-pleated land, celebrating . . .

09/05/2024

The crayfish dart at her splashing steps and scuttle just beyond the reach of her fingers, back to their stony refuge. She retreats, poised to strike just outside the stone. Insolent as they are, the crayfish pay her stalking no mind and stubbornly refuse to come out. Growing tired of her chase, the child wobbles across the smooth creek stones down to other adventures, swishing the bottom of Mama’s much too big t-shirt through the water....

The crayfish dart at her splashing steps and scuttle just beyond the reach of her fingers, back to their stony refuge. She retreats, poised to strike just outside the stone. Insolent as they are, the crayfish pay her stalking no mind and stubbornly refuse to come out. Growing tired of her chase, the...

01/05/2024

Filled with great emotion, I walked up to the backdoor steps of the new house and stood on the first step, unable to open the door. Tears welled up in my eyes . . ....

Filled with great emotion, I walked up to the backdoor steps of the new house and stood on the first step, unable to open the door. Tears welled up in my eyes . . .

25/04/2024

The state of Tennessee condemned the Elkmont summer cabins asserting eminent domain over the use of the land. Summer families fought back, and a deal was struck. They could stay if . . ....

The state of Tennessee condemned the Elkmont summer cabins asserting eminent domain over the use of the land. Summer families fought back, and a deal was struck. They could stay if . . .

17/04/2024

Wistful air in the resting field of The fallen and beloved, who Have taken a lifetime to finally rest . . ....

Wistful air in the resting field of The fallen and beloved, who Have taken a lifetime to finally rest . . .

09/04/2024

Annabel was tough, and she did not take prisoners. No excuses for failure to complete assignments were accepted. If a person was still drawing breath into their body, had blood coursing through their veins, and was still warm, they had darn well better have done their homework, or a browbeating ensued. She required book reports every two weeks. I remember vividly . . ....

Annabel was tough, and she did not take prisoners. No excuses for failure to complete assignments were accepted. If a person was still drawing breath into their body, had blood coursing through their veins, and was still warm, they had darn well better have done their homework, or a browbeating ensu...

03/04/2024

The man driver continued to pick up speed. While he concentrated on the road, Mrs. Sanders was able to free her hands from the twine, that thin type they use to bundle books. She pulled the bright red scarf out of her mouth, then considered her feet. They were duct-taped and out of reach . . ....

The man driver continued to pick up speed. While he concentrated on the road, Mrs. Sanders was able to free her hands from the twine, that thin type they use to bundle books. She pulled the bright red scarf out of her mouth, then considered her feet. They were duct-taped and out of reach . . .

27/03/2024

Hands clasped, folded like prayer on the desk. No notes because you needed none. We traveled from Augustine to Teddy Roosevelt in a semester, pausing only to hear Abraham Lincoln . . ....

Hands clasped, folded like prayer on the desk. No notes because you needed none. We traveled from Augustine to Teddy Roosevelt in a semester, pausing only to hear Abraham Lincoln . . .

20/03/2024

I keep Great-Aunt Bonnie’s sewing box tucked away in a closet. Mama gave it to me long ago after Bonnie died. It isn’t really a box at all, but a big Christmas cookie tin . . ....

I keep Great-Aunt Bonnie’s sewing box tucked away in a closet. Mama gave it to me long ago after Bonnie died. It isn’t really a box at all, but a big Christmas cookie tin . . .

13/03/2024

Next morning Lottie joined the men kicking up dust on New Cut Road, stiff from a night on the ground and stretching their shoulder and back muscles. With her battered fedora pulled low over her face, Lottie looked at a distance like any other young hobo clomping along in work boots and overalls . . ....

Next morning Lottie joined the men kicking up dust on New Cut Road, stiff from a night on the ground and stretching their shoulder and back muscles. With her battered fedora pulled low over her face, Lottie looked at a distance like any other young hobo clomping along in work boots and overalls . .....

06/03/2024

It’s the green I miss the most When I close my eyes and imagine home. Roads that wind like snakes over the mountains, Through a tunnel of leaves as bright as any stained glass–...

It’s the green I miss the most When I close my eyes and imagine home. Roads that wind like snakes over the mountains, Through a tunnel of leaves as bright as any stained glass–

29/02/2024

Richard Marius was born on July 29, 1933 in Martel, Tennessee, and grew up in Lenoir City, Tennessee. His father emigrated from Greece with a chemical engineering degree from Belgium. His mother was a journalist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. The fifties and sixties were busy for Marius. He received a B.S. in journalism at the University of Tennessee in 1954....

Richard Marius was born on July 29, 1933 in Martel, Tennessee, and grew up in Lenoir City, Tennessee. His father emigrated from Greece with a chemical engineering degree from Belgium. His mother was a journalist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. The fifties and sixties were busy for Marius. He receiv...

21/02/2024

A small boat skims across the surface of a lake, an old man at the helm. His white hair flutters in the wind. He is smiling. The sun is shining. He guides the boat into a quiet alcove and kills the engine and tosses an anchor overboard. He leans over the side of the boat and peers into the emerald water as the ripples disappear and his reflection appears....

A small boat skims across the surface of a lake, an old man at the helm. His white hair flutters in the wind. He is smiling. The sun is shining. He guides the boat into a quiet alcove and kills the engine and tosses an anchor overboard. He leans over the side of the boat

15/02/2024

Founded in 2009, SEEED, or Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development, is an exceptionally designed non-profit with a mission to help young people find a way out of poverty. Their story is so unique because SEEED is an entirely local grown organization, cultivated from concerns about housing costs, high utility bills, and gun violence. These issues, paired with the fact that few real opportunities exist out there for youths to succeed and excel, prompted SEEED to start digging for a solution....

Founded in 2009, SEEED, or Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development, is an exceptionally designed non-profit with a mission to help young people find a way out of poverty. Their story is so unique because SEEED is an entirely local grown organization, cultivated from concerns about housing costs,...

08/02/2024

the blues of sky and peak birthed a band of red-gold flame . . ....

the blues of sky and peak birthed a band of red-gold flame . . .

31/01/2024

At the age of 28, tired of bouncing from job to job . . . I opted to go back to school for a nursing degree. Once the transferable credits were applied from my B.A. in psychology, I could finish the program in only two and a half years. I just had one problem—I was broke....

At the age of 28, tired of bouncing from job to job . . . I opted to go back to school for a nursing degree. Once the transferable credits were applied from my B.A. in psychology, I could finish the program in only two and a half years. I just had one problem—I was broke.

27/01/2024

We're continuing our exclusive interview with Knoxville, Tennessee's Poet Laureate, Joseph "Black Atticus" Woods....

We're continuing our exclusive interview with Knoxville, Tennessee's Poet Laureate, Joseph "Black Atticus" Woods.

26/01/2024

Near the tail end of 2023, Appalachia Bare had the great honor of interviewing Knoxville, Tennessee’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Woods, aka Black Atticus. The esteemed Woods is a hip-hop artist and spoken word poet who weaves words into a tapestry of storytelling and poetry. In 2013, he co-founded Good Guy Collective, a community that encourages and inspires artists to create music through hip-hop....

Near the tail end of 2023, Appalachia Bare had the great honor of interviewing Knoxville, Tennessee’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Woods, aka Black Atticus. The esteemed Woods is a hip-hop artist and spoken word poet who weaves words into a tapestry of storytelling and poetry. In 2013, he co-founded Good...

18/01/2024

Poke: n. Chiefly Southern US A sack; a bag. I wish everyone a belated Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm. In East Tennessee, 2024 has come roaring through like a mad badger, bringing with it a snowstorm I hadn’t experienced since I was a child. My mind hearkens to winters in the holler....

Poke: n. Chiefly Southern US A sack; a bag. [Middle English, likely Old North French] I wish everyone a belated Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm. In East Tennessee, 2024 has come roaring through like a mad badger, bringing with it a snowstorm I hadn’t experi...

20/12/2023

We’re nearing the end of the year and the holiday/ winter season is just around the corner. The chilled air carries a magical, fresh scent; holiday bells jingle our benevolent ears; families and friends gather for grand meals or just plain old togetherness. This season affords us the chance to hear our family stories, our histories, our proud moments, and some we might like to sweep under the rug....

We’re nearing the end of the year and the holiday/ winter season is just around the corner. The chilled air carries a magical, fresh scent; holiday bells jingle our benevolent ears; families and friends gather for grand meals or just plain old togetherness. This season affords us the chance to hea...

Appalachia Bare