James Landwehr

CONTACT:
Jim Landwehr
215 W. College Ave.
Waukesha, WI 53186
Email: jimlandwehr@att.net
Website: www.jimlandwehr.com

BIO:
Jim Landwehr retired in 2023 after 37 years in mapping and GIS. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Geography/Anthropology in ’85. He has been an active member of WFOP and the Wisconsin Writers Association for years and has served on the Program Committee for the Wisconsin Festival of Books. He was poet laureate for the Village of Wales, WI from 2018-2019 and has also served as a judge for the Jade Ring Contest by the WWA. Jim loves fishing, kayaking, biking and pretty much all things outdoors. He lives in Waukesha with his wife, Donna.

In 2010 his first poem was published by Verse Wisconsin and fueled his interest in publication of both his poetry and nonfiction. He has been writing furiously ever since. He credits Sarah Sadie and Wendy Vardaman for inflicting him with this obsession.

PUBLICATIONS:
Jim has five poetry books, Thoughts from a Line at the DMV, Genetically Speaking, On A Road, Reciting From Memory and Written Life. He also has four published memoirs, At the Lake, Cretin Boy, Dirty Shirt, and The Portland House. His non-fiction stories have been published in Main Street Rag, The Sun Magazine, Story News, and others. His poetry has been featured in Rosebud Magazine, Blue Heron Review, The Orchards Poetry Journal, and many others.

Poetry

Huffy

beneath these wheels of my three speed Huffy
summit avenue races by – a road taking me
and my brothers past the mansions of attorneys
brokers and bankers – we are not impressed by
their wealth and stature – because we are going
fishing while they build their empires on
scotch and mutual funds – we aim to build ours
on peanut butter sandwiches and fat carp down
at the mighty miss – school’s out for summer
and fall is a distant dream that is lost in the
bottom drawer of my tackle box swinging
precariously from the handlebar of my
three speed Huffy.

Previously published in Every Writer's Resource

Winter Kite                                                                                           

We flew the kite
in the living room
of our old house.
Me in my stocking cap
Wife in long johns
Daughter in her down jacket
One cold February night.

It was beautiful
in that northwestern wind
Tail dancing near the mantelpiece
it dipped and frolicked
between the hurricane lamp
and the windup clock
lightly grazing the ceiling fan

Insulation is overrated

Previously published in Off The Coast