Lake Superior an
d the city of Duluth are often home to weekends away and mini-vacations on the chilly, vibrant water. Visitors and residents spend hours in the magical area, searching the beaches for driftwood and agates and enjoying the scenery. The lake holds a special place in the hearts of all who visit and live nearby. In Amethyst and Agate: Poems of Lake Superior (September 2015) published by Holy Cow! Press, the editors Jim Pearlman, Deborah Cooper, Mara Hart, and Pamela Middlefehldt put together a stunning collection of poetry that captures the essence of the lake and shows off its different personalities. On August 21, 2015, Dan Kraker for MPR News took a look at the special poetry collection.
Amethyst and Agate is just as unique and distinctive as the lake itself. The editors and poets all share a deep connection with the lake and its fluctuating personalities. Poet Deb Cooper, Duluth resident and editor of the collection, shared her love of the lake with Kraker:Â “Every time I travel away from Lake Superior, I feel like I’m sort of going against my own gravity… there’s always that pull to come back here.” Poet Gary Boelhower reflected on the wisdom the lake holds:”The lake tells me over and over about humility and mystery and wonder.”
Jim Pearlman in his office. Photo credit: Dan Kraker
Holy Cow! Press is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and they have published more than 125 books. Founder Jim Pearlman still runs the small publishing company out of his home office, just like he did 38 years ago when he started the company. He is proud to publish one of the few poetry collections that is focused entirely on Lake Superior and its many moods: “The poems are magical, mysterious, and also reveal the mayhem that Lake Superior can be.”
The poetry collection is obviously a work of love for the editors and poets– Lake Superior holds a mystical power over them, and their admiration for the special lake shows on every page of Amethyst and Agate.