Description
Intracoastal follows the journey of two people from the Midwest heading to the Coastal South in search of a new place. They settle between a salt marsh and the sea. There has been a major storm—Hurricane Florence—the landscape is starting over as the two people are. The work is a collection of seventy-seven mostly short poems, visually crisp that leave us feeling resplendent.
Praise for Intracoastal
“Franco Pagnucci’s new collection of poems captures a year-long journey along the shoreline, tracing the evolving landscapes shaped by the passage of time. From the New Moon of spring to the fierce winds of September, the ocean remains a steadfast presence—alongside the creatures and communities that call it home.” —Edel Reilly, Dean – Education and Humanities Services, Indiana University – PA
“Within just a few lines, Pagnucci’s poems in his ninth book, Intracoastal, uncovers the beauty of the everyday scenes of the coast and a salt marsh, instantly transporting the reader.” —Dr. Christina Saracina, Atlantic Chiropractic and Rehab
“Sometimes wistful, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and often moving, these poems, inspired by the seashore and salt marshes of eastern North Carolina, bring to life the beauties of the landscape, the sea, and the creatures that inhabit the area. They speak eloquently of beginnings and endings and reflect the author’s keen observations of the natural world around us.” —David Gaebler, Professor of Law Emeritus, Northern Illinois University
Geri Bates –
I have had the pleasure of living next door to Franco and Susan 🥰 I too moved from a northern state to coastal North Carolina! I truly am so blessed to have seen my new world through Franco’s magical words… This book totally opens one’s eyes to the special wildlife that we share here! It also reveals a very lovely joyful marriage that he and Susan have ❤️ Thank you Franco
William Spofford –
After a half-century in the Upper Midwest, exploring his connections with nature in seven prior books of poems, Franco moved with his wife, Susan, from the woods of northwestern Wisconsin to the coastal plain of North Carolina—a “tearing away from neighbors, lakes, trees” to begin “the long journey south” where ultimately “Intracoastal” would illuminate yet another cycle of exploration and clarification: “Every day we walked coast or salt marsh, / watching the changing light / and looking for our place.” They knew “this world is not ours,” not just inhospitable, but even hostile at times, as when its cold, northwest wind “sandblasted us / and shoved us back / to say we didn’t belong.”
Eventually, however, they do find their place: “here we were / new in a new place blessed to be walking together.” And ultimately the two worlds achieve equilibrium: A “tricolored heron” waiting “on a post of a bridge rail” did not move as Susan “stepped close / enough to close the gap / between [their] worlds.” As Susan took her picture, the heron “must have felt / the loop close and trusted / and stayed still in that warmth / spreading outward.” There it was: “Trust held you both and the moment / in the air.”
And, of course, “Intracoastal” is also a love story.
Theresa Pina –
This was my first book by Franco Pagnucci and I absolutely loved it! Every word is obviously written from the heart. His writing combines poetry and storytelling in a way that feels both personal and universal. From coastal living to the deep affection for his family, every time I read it, I discover something new.