Steve K. Bertrand Book order

The Art of Writing PoetryI can walk the same berry patchseveral different times,and find a ripened berryhidden somewhere amongst the vines.

This collection of one thousand haiku entitled Between Tides was inspired by experiences gathered within what I refer to as the Bowl, that geographical region in the Pacific Northwest located between Mount Baker and Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Peninsula. They are poems of mountain, air, forest, and sea. Some are written in the seventeen-syllable Japanese haiku tradition (5-7-5), but most follow a less structured or "Americanized" version of the form, which isn't uncommon among English translations of Japanese haiku. Haiku is the world's shortest poem. One might say they are the world's shortest story. Haiku captures either physical nature or human nature. They live in the moment. I liken the discovery of a haiku to finding sand dollars on a beach. I find haiku an excellent way to clarify and preserve experience. These poems have been influenced by studies in Zen Buddhism and Native American tradition. They are a celebration of the unique seasons and great wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

Paine Field was named in honor of hometown hero Topliff Olin Paine, an Army Air Corps pilot during World War I. Located 6 miles south of Everett and 20 miles north of Seattle, Paine Field-- known as Snohomish County Airport--got its start as a WPA project in the 1930s. Situated on 1,000 acres, this airport was shaped by numerous events, such as World War II, the Korean War, and the arrival of Boeing, as well as social, political, and environmental issues that continue to influence its destiny. Throughout its 77-year history, Paine Field has continued to evolve into a thriving aviation community. At the heart of its success has been the key role of general aviation. A rags-to-riches story, Paine Field has grown from a small regional airport into an aeronautical complex that garners worldwide attention.