North/South Appalachia

07/18/2026

North/South Appalachia would like to thank our contributors/Editors over the years from Quimby, Pickford and Cheshire Publishing, Avant Appalachia, The Watershed Journal & Studio Appalachia

07/18/2026

This group was created in February of 2019 for the Poets and Artists of Appalachia. Share your poetry and art here, N/S is inclusive and represents the voices of our region. Produced by Studio Appalachia. Attention; Selected Poetry and Art shared in the North/South Appalachia Group may als o be e-published in the North/South Appalachia Blog @

North/South brings Poets and Artists together to further encourage Poetry and the Arts in the Appalachian region and supports Reconnecting McDowell. For electronic/print publication information contact [email protected]

07/03/2026

https://sites.google.com/view/northsouth-appalachia/anthology

North/South publishes a periodic print/Kindle anthology of our electronic journal for the region @ northsouthappalachia.blogspot.com Proceeds to benefit Reconnecting McDowell.

07/03/2026

By Artist Victor Huggins Jr www.artnet.com/artists/victor-huggins-jr/

07/03/2026

North/South publishes a periodic print anthology of our electronic journal for the region @ northsouthappalachia.blogspot.com Proceeds to benefit Reconnecting McDowelll. Produced by Studio Appalachia
https://sites.google.com/.../northsouth-appalachia/anthology

07/03/2026

Please visit @ Reconnecting McDowell

"Reconnecting McDowell" is a comprehensive, long-term effort to mak...

07/03/2026

Who’s this

is what Mam Brianigan asked
when she called the parsonage
and I answered the phone,
said, "Tonto," and heard her laugh
I
It was a Saturday, or in the summer,
I found my way to Dad's study
in the church. A book of paper
matches, a garbage can I didn't
look into. Strike and toss, strike
and toss. The flame, not as large
as a pencil eraser, faded out.
and then the flames rose up
along the wall and I ran,
told on myself and the firetruck
appeared like the way answers
to prayers are supposed to arrive.
II
Not much damage. I was whipped
with my beaded Indian belt.
Reminded myself Indians
don't cry. The signs were being sent.
III
On a Sunday morning, after the wall
had been painted, the song director
opened worship with I Feel Like
Travelling On. Dad took the pulpit,
smiled a hard smile. Said, "This will
be my last sermon here. God has
called me to the evangelistic field."
IV
Now, over 60 years later, I wonder
if that fire had spread to his heart,
burned one divine bridge to cross
another.
If that fire was a sign and wonder
of my relationship with the church,
my kid nickname, a step towards
the woods that would guide,
haunt me all my life. The sanctuary
not built by human hands.
V
He left a lot of money on the table
to be an evangelist.
I like to think that fire was a spark
that landed in his heart. He didn't
do church politics well, but he
could preach, and he let me walk
the woods. Didn't ask me to be
like him. My favorite verse -- My
help cometh from the hills."
I don't think he was surprised.

- Byron Hoot

04/01/2026

This group was created in February of 2019 for the Poets and Artists of Appalachia. Share your poetry and art here, N/S is inclusive and represents the voices of our region. Produced by Studio Appalachia. Attention; Selected Poetry and Art shared in the North/South Appalachia Group may also be e-published in the North/South Appalachia Blog @

North/South brings Poets and Artists together to further encourage Poetry and the Arts in the Appalachian region and supports Reconnecting McDowell. For electronic/print publication information contact [email protected]

02/27/2026

A Little Honey

It’s been a hard winter without the hibernation

dreams of bears to keep me asleep in the promise

of spring. I’ve had dreams awaken me before

dawn, which is not the best time to be awakened

by a dream. The snow has been deep and the cold,

cold for too long. I am not as much a bear

as I think I am. I have the restlessness of a man

too long restrained by conditions that cannot

be changed until they are. The trick is to awaken

like a bear in spring when the time comes.

I growl a bit, huff some in the mornings,

look at the calendar as if it can tell me something

I don’t see. Get another cup of coffee,

add a little honey.

-Byron Hoot

02/14/2026

https://northsouthappalachia.blogspot.com/2026/02/below-hull-stavros-niarchos.html

Enjoy the Mediterranean light before sunset. Talk among the crashing waves with equal abandon. Dive in the sea with architect friends. Why n...