The Marsh in May and 30 Poems with 29 Paintings by Ronald Rand.

Is it possible to see the miracles of life happening right before our eyes?

The Marsh in May brings the reader into an unforgettable journey of soaring poetry on nature and the joys and mysteries of life, accompanied by twenty-nine full-color, luminous paintings by Cultural Ambassador and world-acclaimed solo performer, Ronald Rand in a stunning debut volume.

Within these pages, you’ll discover myriads of worlds within words – a harmonious dance between each poem and painting with some written as shape poems; others as odes to Thomas Wolfe, Edwin Booth, Jean-Claude van Itallie, and to the poet’s mother; and transforming experiences around the world to fantastical places including Kathmandu, Mostar, Olympia, and Fez.

Float along the Tennessee River, travel back in time to when art appeared in caves thousands of years ago, experience when Helen Keller first recognized water, and sit in a field with a chimney alone. Take a moment to rest easy within and soar inside Ronald Rand’s heartfelt paintings and poetry.

For everyone who loves poetry, nature, and the gift of life, you’ll be transformed by the miracles revealed in The Marsh in May.

The first book of Lucky Shoe Press with an introduction by author/publisher, Lawrence Knorr, Ph.D. 

Features 29 full-color acrylic paintings by Ronald Rand, and a painting each by playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie, portrait artist Martha Carpenter, and Maribee.

Reviews:

“The Marsh in May and 30 Poems with 29 Paintings by Ronald Rand is a deeply immersive, poetic exploration that captures our daily collective witness and powerful pauses “as the gong of life dances in the breeze.” Ronald Rand delivers an image-rich, quiet explosion of vibrant art and poems that become universal offerings of solitude, wisdom, healing, joy, and radical empathy.”--Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina Poet Laureate 

by Ronald Rand
Page Count: 80 (color artwork)
Trim Size: 8 x 10
Publish Date: September 30, 2025
Imprint: Lucky Shoe Press
Genre: Poetry and Art

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Animals & Nature
POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Motivational & Inspirational
POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Places
ART / Individual Artists / Artists’ Books