November 23, 2024 - Jane and Maxine Kumin

Jane and her favorite poet/essayist

Jane was a fan of Maxine Kumin’s poems and essays for decades. Maxine lived on a farm in NH, which intrigued Jane, but she loved the fact that Maxine was a rider and kept horses. Maxine also was a very close friend of Anne Sexton and was shattered by her suicide.

Here is a beautiful tribute written about Kumin after she died at age 88 in 2014. Reading this tribute and seeing a bit of her poetry may explain to you why Jane was so enamored of her. You can copy and paste this into an Internet address bar.

https://lambdaliterary.org/2014/02/in-the-garden-of-life-a-tribute-to-maxine-kumin/

When Jane and I visited Powell’s Books in Portland, OR, Jane was thrilled when she found an autographed book of poetry called Nurture by Kumin. Her books of essays and poems were Jane’s “go to” reading before bed or if she awakened in the night.

Jane’s catch of the day at Powell’s books

Here is a wonderful interview of Maxine by the poet Henry Taylor.

When I was trying to find A quote for Jane’s foot stone at Druid Ridge Cemetery, one by Maxine Kumin seemed so appropriate. Jane was a very brave woman. She liked trying new things and appreciated her own wilderness, in her humble way. Elissa, Jean and Peg all loved this quote that I picked out for her foot stone, so here is the design.

Jane was truly beloved, as those who were at the celebration of life could clearly see. Reading the speeches on this Substack is truly a view of Jane in 360 degrees.