Lorene Erickson, a contemporary poet, playwright and author, will be presenting her most recent literary accomplishment, "Bread Upon the Waters," at Shaman Drum tonight.

This compilation of poems collectively exposes profound insights into familial relationships through a stream of rhythmic, delicate words.

The poems both touch the reader"s heart and implore him or her to relate their own experiences to the stories presented in each poem.

In pieces such as "Somalia" and "Masada," Erickson explores the universality of strong sentiments, namely compassion and fortitude, while maintaining unsentimentality.

Laura Kaisischke, author of "Fire and Flower," describes "Bread Upon the Waters" as "a book of patient and luminous dreaming. Lorene Erickson is a poet of the physical world, with a vision of the strange beauty beyond it."

The founder of Lotus Press, Naomi Long Madgett, describes the book as "contemporary poetry at its best. Lorene Erickson weaves language like finely spun gold and leads the reader into new depths of awareness and understanding I am grateful for her gift."

A former Teacher of the Year in Michigan, Erickson previously taught English literature and writing in Michigan public schools and at Washtenaw Community College. Along with her poetry, Erickson enjoys writing plays, short stories and literary reviews.

Prior to "Bread Upon Waters," she wrote two chapbooks titled "Seasons of Small Purpose" and "Blood Mother."

A current resident of Bradenton, Florida and Oscoda, Michigan, Erickson frequently stages her plays in both states.

Erickson is sure to provide her fans with a reading that will compel them to recapture their childhoods, embrace their mothers and realize the power of words.

For an enchanted evening of homespun literary tapestries and cadenced musical intonation, come to Shaman Drum tonight at 8 p.m. for a reading by Lorene Erickson.