It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that we have lost one of our beloved Blue Heron Review contributors and friends, Judy Wucherer, on September 13th, 2019. I wanted to post a special tribute to Judy and her loving, supportive spirit, in honor of her contributions to the literary community. I first met Judy, when she was a contributing poet for the One Vision project, sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council. She was a poet on the project in 2010 for her poem, “Wild Imaginings” (paired with artwork by Ann Kummrow), and also in 2011 for her poem, “In the Window” (paired with photography by Susan Foley). For the 2011 show at the Oconomowoc Arts Center, Judy and Susan’s collaboration was chosen for a special performance, with music and interpretive dance, on the main stage at the OAC.

Judy Wucherer’s work appeared in Blue Heron Review, Verse Wisconsin, Echoes Poetry Journal, The Avocet: A Journal of Nature Poetry (online and print), the Pewaukee Area Arts Council project, One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry, and WI Fellowship of Poets’ museletters and calendars. She was a life-long resident of Wisconsin, though her muse was often elsewhere. Judy was a loving mother and grandmother. She had a career as an antiques dealer, while also being an avid writer, artist, and supporter of the arts.

Judy was a beloved friend and will be greatly missed. I was personally so blessed to know Judy for almost 10 years.

Known for her Haikus, below are some of Judy Wucherer’s poems, previously published in Blue Heron Review. I hope you enjoy them.

Blue Heron Review Issue 6 (Summer 2016)
(1 poem)

shaken and stirred
summer sensations ignite
blame it on the moon

Blue Heron Review Issue 5 (Winter 2016)
(2 poems)

the egret rises
a soft white feathered prayer
of grace – ascending

***

a slight blue s-curve
heron catches light
effortlessly