Poet Norma Wilson releases her fifth collection

The arts have been a vital resource for people during the pandemic, as well as an inspiration for new art. A great example of the power of poetry to restore and inspire is Norma C. Wilson’s newest book, Continuity.

Conceived during the COVID-19 crisis, Continuity is Wilson’s fifth book of poetry, just released by Gyroscope Press of Gillette, Wyoming. Wilson began writing poems in the 1960s, continued writing sporadically during her 27-year career as an English professor at the University of South Dakota, and since her retirement has devoted all her writing to poetry.

Continuity looks toward the past as a lesson for survival through respect and love for the earth. Wilson connected with Gyroscope Review editor Constance Brewer during a poetry seminar at the Hill City Arts Council’s Writers Workshop in 2015. Continuity is Gyroscope Press’s first chapbook.

“Many of my poems are inspired by all three of my favorite muses—place, memory and art,” Wilson said. “Several of the poems were inspired by music. I love collaborations! Our experience of the arts is enhanced when two or more of them come together.”

USD Music Professor Emerita Susanne Skyrm’s photograph “Morning Light” graces the cover of Continuity, and two of the poems, “Standard Time for Poetry” and “Bashing the Blues,” were inspired by musical performances in Sioux Falls. Another poem, “Steel Drum Encore,” arose from a performance at the National Music Museum.

Continuity is listed for sale on Amazon.com and is also featured on the Gyroscope Press Facebook site. Learn more about Wilson and her poetry at her website, https://sites.google.com/a/usd.edu/norma-c-wilson/.

Norma Wilson