I lived on a farm in Iowa while earning my MFA from the Writer's Workshop. The harsh winters caused the Iowa River to freeze into solid, deep ice. In early spring warm weather caused melting. People gathered on the banks to hear the huge slabs burst apart and shoot into the air. My memory of those scenes led to the poem.
Gary Stein taught English and Creative Writing in high schools and colleges before becoming a lawyer. He's published one full-size book, Touring The Shadow Factory, and two chapbooks. He's married, has two sons, and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
