Nancy Tuttle Adam

Poet Nancy Tuttle Adam has been a part of Nantucket's community since the age of two.

Her father, Henry Emerson Tuttle, was one of America's foremost etchers of birds and the first president of the Artists Association of Nantucket.

Her father's etchings not only decorate her home, but also grace the walls of the Art Institute of Chicago, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and the British Museum in London.

Her mother, Isabelle Tuttle Adam, was also very involved in the artist colony here on Nantucket.

"I grew up with an appreciation for the simple pleasures of life, the pastels of a Nantucket sunset, the life affirmation of a bird's expectant call, a picnic with friends on the beach," said Adam. "I have both of my parents to thank for that."

Adam's poetic influences include Emily Dickinson, Galway Kinnell and Elizabeth Hollister Frost, who is also Adam's aunt.

In her dedication to "Nantucket X 12," a collection of 12 poems, one for each month of the year, Adam writes in the dedication a poem for her Aunt Betty:

"The heather you dug in

When spring was ripening the moors

PHOTO BY LEN GERMINARA Is overflowing, spilling

Purple flowers to your door."

Adam studied with Kinnell, who also became a major influence on her work.

"I had already taken a course on poetics and although I enjoyed it, nothing of note can be said," she said. "However, the next semester the same course was offered with one major difference, Galway Kinnell was the professor and I was allowed to repeat the course, a real treat!"

In Adam's poem "April: ruffles and flourishes," Kinnell's influence is seen:

"A Fanfare of forsythia

Bursts over and around the split rail fence,

And further on, brash daffodils, Their trumpets flaring, abound." Active in the Unitarian Church since 1985, Adam has served on many committees and has enjoyed singing in the choir.

Her days are now spent quietly at work in her harbor view apartment in the Landmark House that she shares with her elusive cat Tango. Friday afternoons she invites poets to her home for conversation and constructive critique. Space is limited, but she might entertain adding one or two new poets.

At the urging of Rev. Jennifer Brooks, Adam started the poetry group.

"I hadn't written with focus in some time and as I'm not able to get out in the manner that I was used to and having poets come here seemed like a good idea," said Adam. "The group started with Jennifer and myself and has grown from there. Having the group has spurred me to set goals and follow through on them. I had it in mind to put this collection of poems together for several years and I kept putting it off. I'm very pleased with the way it's turned out, and the reaction has been very favorable."

If you would like to contact Adam she can be reached at NancyTAdam@ verizon.net. I