Ricketson to Read from "Stutters: A Book of Hope" Thursday, June 13

    Mary Ricketson will be reading from Stutters: A Book of Hope at Narrative Books and Records Records in Murphy Thursday, June 13, at 4:30 pm.

Mary Ricketson

   The North Carolina Literary Review calls Stutters "a poetry collection about struggle. It is a book about people’s cruelty to someone who is different. And yet it is ultimately a celebration of endurance, growth, and the ability to look beyond oneself to help others. 

    The poems flow from Ricketson's life.  From childhood teasing and shame to finding peace and success as a mental health counselor and poet.

    Speech and language pathologist Emory Prescott says, "Hearing Mary speak and recite her poetry is a time-stand-still kind of experience. Her canter draws you in, and though there is an occasional stutter or repetition, she has a bravery that elevates her through the moment and onto further words and prose."

    Ricketson has been writing poetry for over 25 years.  Her poems have been published in numerous poetry reviews, six other full-length poetry collections, and two chapbooks.  She won first place in the 2011 Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest 75th anniversary national poetry contest.  Inspired by nature and her role as a mental health counselor, her poems reflect the healing powers of nature, a path she follows from Appalachian tradition, with the surrounding mountains as midwife for her words.