These poems gathered to discuss rhythms as urgent and Earthly as rain, as heartbeat, as ripening fruit. Rhymes within tides within lifetimes. Together they weave a rope from time, place, and emotion, because everyone, sooner or later, needs something to hold on to.
Available from your local bookstore, online retailers such as Indiebound, or message me for a signed copy. You can also request a copy from your local library!
Legacy Book Press donates a portion of sales from this book to the Thurston County Food Bank!
If you are in the PNW, please consider visiting these stores that currently stock my books!
Orca Books Cooperative, Browsers Books, Last Word Books, and Timberland Regional Library in Olympia, WA
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Vault Books and Brew in Castle Rock, WA
The Book Bin in Salem and Corvallis, OR
Grassroots Books and the Corvallis-Benton Public Library in Corvallis, OR
Browsers Books in Albany, OR
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Cannon Beach Book Company in Cannon Beach, OR
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Bob’s Beach Books and North By Northwest Books & Antiques – Lincoln City, OR
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Dudley’s Bookshop Café and Pegasus Books in Bend, OR
Herringbone Books in Redmond, OR
The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino, CA
Cover art designed by Anna Bride. More of her work can be found on her website.
Praise for “The Moon and Other Fruits”
“The poems, often rooted in a specific place indicated in their subtitles, take readers on a journey of exploration and reflection on the beauty and strength of life-cycles, on the flow of energy from rain and sunlight, into fruit, into us. A wise man is able to comprehend the secrets of life and share this knowledge with others. Here, ‘enlightenment’ means not some grandiose achievement, but understanding the flow of “waves within tides within lifetimes.” It is good for us to read this inspired and inspirational verse… Highly recommended!”
– Dr. Maja Trochimczyk, President of California State Poetry Society, President of Moonrise Press, author
“Edward Abbey’s famous advice to young people was: ‘Flee to the wilderness! The one within, if you can find it.’ Frederick Livingston has fled into the wilderness—both of the world and his own uncharted soul—and returned bearing gifts.
With astounding wordcraft and an unceasing sense of wonder, these poems take us on a journey that spans the planet, and the heart. If you’ve ever sat on a mountaintop, aching with joy and a desire that you can’t quite put your finger on, these poems are for you. If you’ve ever stared at the moon and felt tears welling up in your eyes, these poems are for you. This is a book to put in your backpack, or keep under your pillow. These are poems to devour slowly, on a train heading into new and mysterious lands.”
– Wess Mongo Jolley, author and editor
“From the garden to Kentucky, kitchen to orchard to Africa, Japan to forest trail, follow Frederick Livingston in “The Moon and Other Fruits” as he travels and honors the moment with deep attention to what’s around him. In these well-considered lines he offers us what has grown and ripened between his well-tuned senses and the world… Take the hint to slow down and read these poems aloud. Listen and you’ll be drawn in, asked to take part, and come out better for the journey.
The coherent love of synched sounds and related themes ties together the variety of density and light—like walking through forest, into meadow, and back—in ways that can keep contemplation and delight alive as you go.”
– Don Freas, poet, designer/craftsman, sculptor
“I haven’t enjoyed a poetry book this much in years. Each section is perfectly organized, masterfully written, and ripe with truth and love. Livingston peels away the nature of his story and journey as a poet with unique eloquence. It’s rare to find a book that speaks to your soul with every word and breath. This is one of them — a book for every occasion, moment, and turn of the moon.”
– Amanda Marrero, editor-in-chief of The Fieldguide Poetry Magazine
“A friend gave me your wonderful collection a couple weeks ago and I was VERY happy to own it and savor it–so many succulent pieces, dripping with wordplay and imagery and beautiful emotions. Your illustrations are perfect and add so much joy! Thanks for donating your proceeds as well–good use for poems!”
– Victoria Floor, author
Sample Poems
Welcome 