Turquoise Laughter and Poems for Judy

I just finished editing a book of my father’s poetry – it is an expanded version of his chapbook “Turquoise Laughter” – it is available at Lulu.com. I love the poems in this book, but it is hard to be objective about your father’s poetry! I was so fortunate to grow up in a house where language, story-telling, song and poetry was so valued.

“This collection of poetry, by artist and educator James D. Cain, is a heartfelt celebration of life, relationships, and the natural world, particularly the enchanting landscape of California’s Central Coast. Rooted in a deep spiritual connection to nature, these poems explore the sacredness of the earth, the divine in everyday moments, and the profound beauty found in both human connections and the environment. The poems also pay tribute to an extraordinary relationship and marriage, reflecting the intertwining of love, spirituality, and a reverence for the natural world.”

It was also difficult to edit this book because as his son, I was actually there on the beach back in the 60s and 70s when he wrote some of these poems. I remember playing in the sand at Pismo Beach when he read me a poem he had written about seagulls – I was 6 of 7 I think. I told him it was nice but I prefered his pelican poem better (What a lovely bird is the pelican/ His beak can hold more than his belly can/ He can hold in his beak/ More than he can eat in a week / and I don’t know how the helican!) He may not have written that one. He told me to go play in the water. But this is a very special collection. I am hoping to be down on the Central Coast of California for some poetry readings with him soon. Watch this space.

CC-by Monica Murren, 2019