By David Vowell, Contributing Writer
Murphy – The Cherokee County Arts Council will present a reading by local poet Mary Ricketson from her book Precious the Mule at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5.
Ricketson said of her book, “Precious the Mule is different from my other collections of poems. I wrote in response to a sudden and growing connection with my neighbor’s prize Arabian mule who was injured in a freak and unusual way. I visited the mule often, followed his story, and grew to love the mule I had previously only passed by. I felt deeply.
“I began to write, my feelings grew, and I kept writing. I nourished a universal feeling of kindness, human compassion and hope. A relationship can grow simply by caring and connecting.”
Ricketson lives in Murphy and works as a mental health counselor. Her books are available at Narrative Books & Records, 104 Tennessee St., Suite C, in downtown Murphy.
The Cherokee County Arts Council is at 33 Valley River Ave. downtown. The public is invited to this latest of the Arts Council literary events. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.
Details: Call David Vowell at 828-835-0550.
The writer is executive director of the Cherokee County Arts Council.