Our Sainted Lady Esther

Matt Welter

Matt Welter’s poems blend elements of myth, history, and nature. He artfully rearranges tales of familiar characters, such as harpies, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Wizard of Oz with sry, contemporary twists. Each poem delves into the emotional landscape of women, from the story of a fisherman’s daughter to a paeean for Ester Williams. These poems are clever, accomplished, and imbued with subtle humor.

Matt Welter is a poet, naturalist and storyteller. He holds a Bachelors of Art in English from New Mexico State University and a Masters of Science in Environmental Education from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His work has been featured in hundreds of small press journals, including ArtWord Quarterly, Wisconsin Academy Review and Rosebud. Welter was nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, including once for the title poem. He is inspired by the poetry of Sylvia Plath, Dorothy Wordsworth, Diane Ackerman, Laurie Anderson, R. C. Hildebrandt and Laurel Mills.

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Excerpt

Spider Trust

She knows that
when the thin line
of a jumping spider
creases her brow
she will be safe.

She feels her strides
gain with each glistening
grass spider web she sees
on the old railroad grade
ahead of her.

She releases
half a mile more
of her fear
each time an orb web
nets her upper torso.

The spiders tell her
that no one else
has yet
been on the trail
this morning.