Description

Epicurean Ecstasy:

More Poems about Food, Drink, Herbs & Spices

by Cynthia Gallaher

In Epicurean Ecstasy: More Poems About Food, Drink, Herbs and Spices, Cynthia Gallaher celebrates not only historical and modern pleasures of the kitchen and the table, but also the seasonal evolutions that take place in the cultivated fields and wild terrains, and of those who harvest these foods and bring nourishment to our homes.

Epicurean Ecstasy is the larger sequel to Omnivore Odes, a chapbook of 22 poems which appeared a handful of years ago from Finishing Line Press. Thus, the “More” in Epicurean Ecstasy, with all new and a greater number of poems not found in the first volume.

A Sample Poem from the book:

“Massachusetts Cranberries”

afloat, a party of redheads on a giant waterbed,
squeezed into cozy corners before they freeze
by sleepy workers hip-high in prophylactic waders.

or are they gathered like scarlet colonies
of miniature planet mars vanquished to earth,
set loose from ancient-armored spaceships barrels.

through the processing factory window
brigades of tangy spheres bounce madly
florid against the backdrop of thick snow.

then bagged like pachinko parlor booty,
to soon become Thanksgiving sauce,
tart juice tender to holding tanks,

or strung white, red, white, red,
both self-contained and exploded on thread
in rows with popcorn.

About the Author

Cynthia Gallaher is author of three other full poetry collections: Earth Elegance, Swimmer’s Prayer and Night Ribbons, and three poetry chapbooks: Drenched: Poems About Liquids; Omnivore Odes: Poems About Food, Herbs and Spices; and Private, On Purpose.

She also published the nonfiction memoir and reference Frugal Poets’ Guide to Life: How to Live a Poetic Life, Even If You Aren’t a Poet, which won a National Indie Excellence Award.

Gallaher appears on Chicago Public Library’s list of “Top Ten Requested Chicago Poets,” and was named one of “100 Women Making a Difference” by Today’s Chicago Woman magazine for her writing and ecological work. She has also received numerous grants from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council.

Committed to the organic and sustainable foods movement, and a proponent of clean drinking water, Gallaher is a former officer on the board of directors of Illinois Consumers for Safe Food (a local affiliate of The Center for Science in the Public Interest) and has also served as a volunteer for Lake Michigan Federation’s (now the Alliance for the Great Lakes) Shorekeepers initiative and the Green Team of the Chicago Park District. She is also a certified yoga instructor and aromatherapist.

What They’re Saying…

Cynthia Gallaher weaves threads of science with seeds of the sacred.  The result – a walk along a path that informs with delight. Certainly the best herbal poetry since Shakespeare.

— Steven Foster, senior author of National Geographic’s A Desk Reference of Nature’s Medicine and
Peterson’s A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs

Epicurean Ecstasy: More Poems About Food, Drink, Herbs and Spices is extraordinarily enjoyable; it prompted me to reconsider nourishment and what our own spiritual sustainability requires. Intelligent. Satisfying. Just beautiful. I’m awestruck by Gallaher’s dedication in playing a role on insisting on good, healthy food for the community.

— Dee Sweet, Associate Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay,
and Wisconsin State Poet Laureate Emerita

Book Launch Readings: