The Whole Field • Volume 5 • No. 20 • FULL Moon • October 26, 2026
Conservation Farmers • 18" x 24" • Mixed Media, Oil on paper
Jim's Pond • 24" x 36" • Oil on canvas
21st Century Farmers • 18" x 24" • Mixed Media, Oil on paper
A note from Taylor: A little less than a year ago, we had the honor of sharing three poems from Yvonne. Today, three more. Click through for all three, including Only Light and Our Roof Opened.
The Bones of Things I Cannot Fix
after John Rybicki
by Yvonne Stephens, originally published in Dunes Review
Do you know the last time we spoke
was on my deck
through our phones. You were
at home and you were
in your car. Funny thing, how
we could see each other there,
through our phones. Your hair
made more beautiful by the
late summer humidity. All the hair
wanted to do was expand
to meet the touch of your hand
as you moved it from your face
I can never see your beautiful hand
move your strays from your face
no never again, not even through
this phone. And that is something
maybe I’d never say, but I might
write it. I want to fix what happened
even though I know there is ash,
and phones, and cars, and bones of things
I cannot fix.
About the author: Yvonne Stephens lives with her husband and two children in Northwest Lower Michigan. She has worked as an assistant in the fields of mycology, forestry, and neurology research, volunteered for two years in the AmeriCorps, and was an employee for Crosshatch from 2009-2016, where she served as Events Coordinator then Artist Residency Coordinator. She is currently an assistant librarian in the small rural community in which she lives. An award-winning poet, Yvonne was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2015, and her poems have appeared in various publications including the journal Dunes Review, and Family Stories from the Attic anthology.
The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration
|| 1 || Want to write like Yvonne? You're out of luck. Her minor-key, cathartic work with a dash of earth and whimsy flows from reflections, experiences, and understandings uniquely her own. You can delve into sharing your own stories your own way, though, at this memoir writing workshop (also detailed in the Weft below). It'll be great to have Lane Regan here in these parts; what a gift and opportunity. More on Lane here: This Food & Wine Best New Chef's Restaurant Is So Remote, Beavers Can Block the Only Road In.
|| 2 || Speaking of written words, here are two pithy selections that have stuck with me recently:
“…to open the way, a cultural breakthrough need not involve masses of people but must be done decisively by someone.” - From chapter two, On Errantry, of Jim Corbett’s book, Goatwalking
“Why work with such effort and care for something which is doomed? And to that I reply: Working is a way of preserving the knowledge my sons are losing. I dig the holes, wait for the tender moon and plant out these saplings to give an example to my sons if they are interested, and, if not, to show my father and his father that the knowledge they handed down has not yet been abandoned. Without that knowledge, I am nothing.” - From Pig Earth, book one of John Berger’s Into Their Labours trilogy
The Weft — News and Events
We’re heartened by a wide-range of expressions of resilient communities and gatherings. Here’s a smattering of regional events and happenings that reflect that diversity, collected for your consideration. Choose your own adventure!
|| 1 || Antrim Writers Series - Lane Regan. Lane (Iliana) Regan is the Michelin-star chef and prior owner of Elizabeth restaurant in New York, which she turned over to her employees in 2020 in order to run the Milkweed Inn Bed and Breakfast in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Their debut memoir, Burn the Place, was longlisted for the National Book Award, the first time a food writer has been nominated since Julia Child. In addition to working as the chef and owner of Milkweed Inn, they earned an MFA in writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and authored a new memoir, Fieldwork: A Forager's Memoir.
-Reading and Book Signing: Nov. 18, 7-8:30pm, Boston Winery (Elk Rapids).
-Memoir Writing Workshop: Nov. 19, 1-3pm, Grass River Natural Area (Bellaire).
|| 2 || Wagbo presents: Pine Needle Basketry with Kathy Leist. November 7th, noon-4pm. Learn the art of creating a traditional pine needle basket. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Click here to register. And if basket-making isn't in the cards, consider the full-moon feast potluck and open-mic jam with Sam Cooper TONIGHT at 5:30pm.
|| 3 || Ship Yard is back! A program of Crosshatch at The Alluvion, Ship Yard is a way to support upcoming songwriters in our region. The application is free, and accepted artists receive:
-a high-quality audio and video recording (including files for later mastering) of your performance
professional head shots from photographer Tyler Franz
-a high-quality space to perform
-a generous and attentive audience
-lots of technical support
-a $50 /musician stipend (capped at $250/band)
|| 4 || Upcoming Ship Yard performances:
Nov. 3 - Clairvøyant + Thirty Below
Dec. 1 - Handsome Dan and the Hooligans + Meski
|| 5 || Happenings at The Alluvion Between Now and the Next Whole Field include: Funky Uncle + DJ Ras Marco, Dancing @ The Alluvion with Amelia - “Thriller Night”, The Rodney Whitaker Sextet, Big Fun + DJ Ras Marco, Ship Yard presents: Clairvøyant & Thirty Below, The Jeff Haas Trio feat Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, and The Claudettes with Lost Swimmer.
Find more information at thealluvion.org.
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