poetry variations on a theme

Welcome. I'm Cynthia Gallaher, a Chicago USA-based poet, and author of four collections of poetry and three chapbooks, many with themes, such as Epicurean Ecstasy: More Poems About Food, Drink, Herbs & Spices and my poetry chapbook on liquids, Drenched. My nonfiction memoir/reference/creativity guide Frugal Poets' Guide to Life: How to Live a Poetic Life, Even If You Aren't a Poet won a National Indie Excellence Award. 

Besides the United States & Canada, my poetry has appeared in publications from England, Scotland, Netherlands, Sweden, Eastern Europe, Africa, India, Japan, China, Hong Kong & New Zealand.  

Watch this 30-second book trailer.

Watch this 15-minute reading from the book.

Epicurean Ecstasy

In Epicurean Ecstasy: More Poems About Food, Drink, Herbs and Spices, (The Poetry Box, Portland) Cynthia Gallaher celebrates not only historical and modern pleasures of the kitchen and the table, but also the seasonal evolutions that take place in the cultivated fields and wild terrains, and of those who harvest these foods and bring nourishment to our homes.

Epicurean Ecstasy is the larger sequel to Omnivore Odes, a chapbook of 22 poems which appeared a handful of years ago from Finishing Line Press. Thus, the “More” in Epicurean Ecstasy, with all new and a greater number of poems not found in the first volume.

Drenched

Drenched, published by Main Street Rag, is a poetry chapbook dedicated to water & liquids. 

Watch this 30-second book trailer.

Listen to a sample poem reading from Drenched.

Frugal Poets' Guide

Frugal Poets' Guide to Life: How to Live a Poetic Life, Even If You Aren't a Poet, nonfiction memoir, writers' reference, & creativity guide, w/a brief history of Chicago's poetry scene. 

Watch this 30-second book trailer.

Watch 30-minute program on Poetry Today.

Watch reading including excerpts from Frugal Poets, live from Marble House Project.

Swimmer's Prayer

Swimmer's Prayer, published by Missing Spoke Press, comprises poems about Chicago and the Midwest.

Omnivore Odes

Omnivore Odes: Poems About Food, Herbs & Spices, published by Finishing Line Press.

Watch this 30-second book trailer.

Listen to a sample poem reading from Omnivore Odes.

More about my books, public readings & social media sites

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My Amazon Author Page       News & Readings          

Poets & Writers Page              Linktree account

Visit my Alibris Online Used Book Shop       

Haiku Registry profile w/sample haiku The Haiku Foundation

Society of Midland Authors member bio

Poets & Patrons Chicagoland Member Spotlight

View this scrolling commercial art archive of my ancestral cousin Neysa McMein, member of the Algonquin Round Table circa 1920s

A recently favored quote: "To want the world is fire; to obtain it, smoke." ~ Tzigane (gypsy) saying

Video poem on "Cats" from Earth Elegance     

Email: swimmerpoet@gmail.com