Daybreak on the Water

As a child Gary Lark camped where a creek joins Oregons North Umpqua River sleeping in the rivers voice. Confessing that theres a part of me still there / surrounded by enormous trees / the river singing me alive he offers us Daybreak on the Water his song-cycle paying homage to the Umpqua. Here the communion among river and poet and reader is palpable: at the fishermans table the platter is passed from hand to hand / each tongue tasting the river / in the salmons flesh. This fishermans river-poems carry what the Umpqua carries the wonderment of living things. -Paulann Petersen Oregon Poet Laureate EmeritaDaybreak on the Water is a vivid and authentic reminiscence of a rugged playful deliberate and reflective life among the wild woods and waterways of Oregons Umpqua valley. Larks warmly told and deftly detailed narratives provide a natural and cultural history that will entertain and edify generations of readers. We meet many colorful characters-loggers anglers clammers boatbuilders poachers sheriffs sweethearts and old friends- that allow us to press ourselves into the tides of each other / releasing our unutterable selves. -Henry Hughes Oregon Book Award-winning poet and author of Back Seat with Fish