Read the poem ‘Shaker Village’ by Bill Schulz

Local Poet's New Work Praised for Lyrical Depth; Anthology Seeks Underrepresented Voices

Bill Schulz, a Portland-native poet and painter whose recent collections include Dog or Wolf and Another Psalm, has released a new poem titled "For Autumn" that has drawn praise for its contemplative tone and vivid imagery. The piece, which likens itself to both a landscape painting and a prayer, unfolds gradually with images of shifting clouds, orchard mist, and warming sheep beneath green apple trees.

Critics have noted the work's "gentle sequence of images" and "slow, spacious unfolding, like a deep and nourishing breath." The poem appears in DEEP WATER: Maine Poems, an annual anthology produced in collaboration with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. Schulz's contribution offers readers a moment of quiet reflection amidst seasonal change.

Beyond individual authorship, DEEP WATER serves as a platform for diverse voices. The anthology explicitly calls for submissions from Black writers, writers of color, Indigenous authors, LGBTQ+ creators, and other underrepresented communities. Those interested can find submission instructions on the project's website.

The call for entries remains active through the end of the year, providing a window for emerging poets to contribute to the state's literary record.