If anthologies of poetry are like a "harvest," or a "gleaning," it could be said few "hunters and gatherers" range as far and wide as June Cotner to bring in a good crop.
Cotner scans hundreds of existing collections for inspirational poems to include in her books. She clips and files hundreds of poems from magazines. Then she puts out a call for pieces through "want ads."The result has been impressive. Two popular collections of prayers and poems: "Graces: Prayers and Poems for Everyday Meals and Other Occasions" and "Bedside Prayers: Prayers and Poems for When You Rise and Go to Sleep."
Next up is "Blessings of the Heart: Prayers and Poems for Everyday Life and Special Occasions" and "Prayers of the Universe," a collection of prayers with a global focus.
Cotner is rather adept at sowing, then reaping the rewards.
"The whole process of doing these spiritual anthologies has enriched me," she says. "I began it when I was going through a very painful divorce and the last thing I felt like doing was pray. But doing the books put me in contact with many wonderful people, and they've sent me their expressions of the heart."
For now, poets whose work show up in the volumes are paid with copies of the books themselves. But Cotner is creating an escalating royalty plan where poets will benefit financially as the books grow in popularity. And the first two volumes have been popular. "Graces" is already in its 16th printing, having sold more than 100,000 copies. "Bedside Prayers" is also doing well.
"I guess the difference between the two is `Graces' is meant to be shared. Rather than do poems that specifically thank God for food, I wanted to do a book that included more general things that show an appreciation for life. `Bedside Prayers' is more for an individual."
And what kind of poems does she pick?
It only takes a few pages to see that she favors sweetness, shortness, simplicity and honesty. The poem "Renewal" by Marian Wright Edelman might stand as an example of what she selects:
Lord, unwrinkle my tired soul
unsnarl my garbled thoughts and words
unwind my gnarled nerves
and let me relax in Thee.
So far, contributions have come from all over the world. With one notable exception.
"I was checking and found I haven't had a prayer or poem from anyone in Utah. I'd like to hear from some Utahns."
So here you go. If you have a prayer or short poem for "Prayers of the Universe" or the upcoming anthology called "Family Celebrations: Prayers, Poems and Toasts for Every Occasion," send it to June Cotner, P.O. Box 2765, Poulsbo, WA 98370. (Deadline for the "Prayers of the Universe" poems is Feb. 5, 1998.)
Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your submission.