Without a Paddle

by Don Rearden

Overview

Without a Paddle: Poems of Alaskan Resilience 

A powerful and moving collection of poems by renowned Alaskan author Don Rearden.

Don Rearden, acclaimed author of the riveting novel "The Raven’s Gift" hailed as a Washington Post Notable Selection for Fiction, delves into the soul-stirring realm of poetry with his latest masterpiece, "Without a Paddle." As a Professor and Chair of the Department of Writing at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Rearden's literary prowess shines through in this poignant collection.

Recipient of numerous accolades including the prestigious Alaska Literary Prize, Contributions to Alaska Literacy Award, and Rasmuson Project Award, Rearden is celebrated for his profound contributions to Alaskan literature. His ability to captivate audiences spans genres, from best-selling memoirs like "Never Quit" to the powerful young adult adaptation.

In "Without a Paddle," Rearden invites readers on an emotive journey through the rugged landscapes of Alaska, exploring themes of resilience and human connection with poetic grace. With each verse, he paints a vivid portrait of life in the Last Frontier, offering a poignant reflection on the indomitable spirit of its people.

Experience the beauty and resilience of Alaska through the lyrical lens of Don Rearden in "Without a Paddle," a collection that transcends boundaries and resonates with the soul.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942549710
Publisher:	Di Angelo Publications
Publication date:	12/01/2020
Pages:	177
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Don Rearden is the author of the critically acclaimed novel, The Raven’s Gift (Penguin) a Washington Post Notable Selection for Fiction. In his review of the novel, Michael Dirda of The Washington Post called Rearden, “a master of suspense.” Rearden is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Writing at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

A novelist, screenwriter, and poet, recent honors include an Alaska Literary Prize, a Contributions to Alaska Literacy Award, a Rasmuson Project Award, a University of Alaska Innovate Award, and the Anchorage Reads Novel of the Year. He co-authored the best-selling memoir Never Quit (St. Martins) and wrote the young adult adaptation of Never Quit (St. Martin’s / Scholastic). His latest co-written work, is Warrior’s Creed (St. Martins). Rearden lives in an undisclosed mountain location with his wife, two kids, and an abundance of bears.

Read an Excerpt

EXCERPT Page 22: 

My Tarp Coffin

With a jump I awoke and in the tempest
my heart broke,
and with the tent sank into the darkness

of the lake.

All alone, but still alive shivering, struggling, to survive with a tarp
my coffin made
and in the screaming wind
I stayed.

From the mountain sky torrential rain -
muscle quivers
giving way to pain

and finally, the morning ray blowing in
the frigid day.

From the cold cocoon I came drenched and weary
from the rain.
Into the brush,

with tarp and knife to build a fire ... for my life.

Creeping cold
caressed my soul,
the sleepless night was taking toll
and finally, a twig alighted a chance, a hope -
when flame ignited.

As the wind and rain raged
a separate battle had been waged and from the brush a victor strode warm and strong against the cold, with the flames devoured fear
and finally, the sky would clear – for a peek, the shore I neared, where my tent had disappeared. 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

déjà vécu 10 

Foreign Cold 11 

Holy Water 12 

Sleepover with a Seal 13 

Porch Wolf 14 

Headline: State of Alaska 15 

My Tarp Coffin 22 

Through Alders 24 

The Kuskokwim 25 

Edwin Wheeler 27 

SEE YOU 29 

The Honey Bucket Museum 31 

Atauciq, Mairuq, Pingayun 32 

Weight of a Paper Warrior 35 

Portage to the Past 37 

A Glacial Goodbye 38 Notice 39 

How to Build a Bomb 41 

Vitruvian Man 42 

VILLAGE SCHOOL BUS 43 

Earth Day Sale 44 

Caring, On Ice 45 

Spring Runoff 45 

Magic Carpet Kid 46 

For a Day 48 

ASSESS THIS 49 

After the Marathon Bomber 50 

Bake Sale for Big Oil 51 

Two Ways to Freeze 52 

More Snow Fall 53 

Tundra Tapeworm 54 

On the Raven Commute 55 

Seal Oil Salesman 56 

Kim Jong-un: Too Much in the Sun 58

For Dan Bigley 59 

ON TODAY’S AGENDA 60 

Blue Berry Blue 61 

100% Tundra Cotton 62 

A Loving Unkindness 63 

Musk-Ox Stew, Mexican Beer 64

April Fools’ Gold 65 

Justice 66 

Scars and Claws 67 

in the presence of God, dead 69 

Growing Seasons 69 

No Tremors 70 

Drum On 71 

Tears for Yuma 73 

Fly Forever 74 

Like Wedding Guests 75 

The Sun Woshippers 76 

Somewhere, Florida 77 

Armadillo 78 

From Left Field 79 

You Can Be a Princess, Too 80 

The Spaceship Earth Ride 81 

RE: Help 82

Marks of a Man 84 

Bear Air 85 

A Girl Named Pounds 86 

Groom Song 87 

Old Man in the Tree 88 

Without a Paddle 89 

New Neighbor Hoods 92 

The Raven Hair Girl Who Became 93

the Sun dream neighbors 94 

On Time 95 

the future thins 96 

Thunderbirds and Thinking Small 97 

Before the Citizens United 99

first kite 100 

The Genocide Assignment 101 

Bear Aware 102 Lincoln’s Chair 103 

Old Dog’s Turn 104 

Dear Son, About That Animal 105 

All the Signs Say 106 

Nature’s Lowest Denominator 107 

two sisters strong 108 

So Many Aprils 109 

Ruling by Fractal 111 

Saved by Captain America 112 

Return, Raven 113 

The Three Year Old at Bedtime 113 

Death by Social Media 114 

Death by Social Media, 2.0 115 

Unbridled Progress 116 

Two Hundred Years 117 

Field Trip to the Ghost House: 118

Admit One This Was 119 

Crocodile Killing Walrus 121 

Freedom in Chains 122 

Coup Counts - for Chief Joe 123

Medicine Crow Death by Social Media 3.0 124 

Guns in the English Classroom 124 

History 125 

The Weight of the Immeasurable 127 

Like Riding a Bike 127 

After ANWR 128 

Mosquito 129 

Not to Be 130 

Simple Sauce 131 

Tundra Prom 132 

They Say... 133 

Before the Avalanche 134

Old Wounds and Flaws 135 

SEEK 136 

The Rising Leaves 136 

Unbecoming Man 137 

Earth Day 137 

Ghost Ride 138 

Tiring 139 

Monster Mine 140 

Presidential 141 

Dog People 143

Shards and Chandeliers 144 

On This Day in History 145 

Arctic War(n/m)ing 146 

Listen and Learn 147 

psychopomp (psuchopompos) 149 

The Crystal Ball 150 

the medicine rises 151 

the snow tells stories 152 

thinking of you 153 

the truth 154 

Message Sent 155 

On the Fence 156 

Dead Horse Trail 157 

Missing: Socks 158 

Cutting Caribou 159 

Today, Refused 159 

World of Birds 160 

Empty Nest 161 

Listen 162 

Political Decorum 163 

The Shaman Girl 164 

Girl Made Climate Change 165 

Red Blue 165 

This I Miss 166 

The Treasure Hunters 167 

Lugenpresse 168 

Zoom 170

Soothing Souls 170 

ESKIMO BASEBALL 171 

Spring Change 172 

For the Essentials 173 

I’m Just Saying 174 

Uncertain Endings 175 

Last Poem 176