The Story Behind “Lucky Penny” in the South Carolina Bards Poetry Anthology 2023
I’m delighted to share that my poem “Lucky Penny” is featured in the South Carolina Bards Poetry Anthology 2023, published by Local Gems Press and expertly curated by editor James P. Wagner.
The Emotional Core of “Lucky Penny”
Inspired by my late mom’s charming yet poignant belief in the magic of lucky pennies, “Lucky Penny” explores the often capricious nature of fortune.
My Southern mom wasn’t particularly lucky in many ways, but she always gave her lucky pennies to me. This small gesture blossomed into a broader exploration of luck, fate, and the inheritances—emotional, not material—that shape us.
The Creative Process
Translating such personal and intricate emotions into words was no easy task. How do you encapsulate a lifetime of maternal wisdom, luck, and love into a few stanzas? Through multiple drafts and quiet reflections, “Lucky Penny” found its form. The poem aims to stir memories, provoke thought, and perhaps even inspire its readers to examine their notions of luck and inherited wisdom.
The Power of Small Gestures
Today, I intentionally drop pennies on the ground for others to find. It’s a small act, but one that feels like sharing a slice of inherited luck, a nod to the loving gestures my mom extended throughout her life. The poem is a literary extension of this act– the small things that often hold immense power in our lives.
Book Release
Join us for the book launch.
Saturday, August 26th, at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm) at:
Cambria Hotel Charleston Mount Pleasant
1472 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
The evening will feature readings from the book and perhaps even a penny-dropping ceremony to bring a touch of luck!
Thank you for being part of this journey. I hope “Lucky Penny” resonates with you, whether through shared experiences or the universal language of poetry.
