Linda Larson is a member of Somerville’s literary group the “Bagel Bards,” and for many years she has perfected her craft. She and I go way back to the time when she was the editor-in-chief of the famed street newspaper “Spare Change News.” I was assisting the poetry editor at the time Don Di Vecchio, and I showed her an article I had written about the late Stone Soup Poetry founder Jack Powers. The article was rejected by some artsy magazine, but Linda liked it and published it– on the front page no less. Well, I have for better or worse been writing articles ever since.

Linda Larson, like many artists and writers has struggled with mental illness, but has overcome many obstacles and has a long career as a journalist and writer, as well as getting a M.A. from the John Hopkins Writing Seminars.

The Ibbetson Street Press published her first collection “Washing the Stones,” and Larson has come out with another collection “Mississippi Poems” published by the well-respected small ISCS PRESS of Littleton, Mass. Joseph P. Kahn of The Boston Globe writes that the collection explores: “…along with more universal truths about family and relationships, the brutality and tenderness we visit upon one another, and the tools we must equip ourselves in order to survive.”

In her poem “Causalities” Larson writes about a heartbreaking drunken encounter with a damaged Vietnam War vet. Here she encapsulates his experience as a medic and the tragic notes he transcribed for the loved ones for his often terminal charges:

“If it is a girl, please name her Marie

After Mother, I know you two don’t get along…”

“When I get home to you.

We’ll get married. I promise you. A big wedding

Just like you want…”

“Please tell her I didn’t mean to hit her.

I’d rather die than ever hurt her.”

In the poem “St. Mick, First Crush,” Larson captures Mick Jagger and in turn the heady atmosphere of the Sixties with a stunning flourish of imagery:

“Hashished I was into confusing your freckles with stars; so far gone I could only let you… Lucifer’s hummingbird, stunning in purple gorget, shooting up skyrockets, pulsating throughout a less than eternal night….. Yes Glorious word! You again, and I drank tea menthe, tasted the magic pipe…soon we were understanding Arabic, traveling the Venus express, winking at the eyes of smoke trees….

Larson has the ability to make a bottom dweller like a Catfish reach the high holy, as well as making the eating of Southern cuisine as evocative as any sensual pleasure. Highly Recommended. To order go to: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/mississippi-poems/14737743