Portuguese American poet, Michael Garcia Spring, of Azorean roots, has passed away following complications with gallbladder cancer.
The author of many poetry books and one children’s book, Spring was known for his love for the sea and his devotion to writing and martial arts.
Spring’s writing received noteworthy recognition, including a Robert Graves Award, the Turtle Island Poetry Award, and an honorable mention for the Eric Hoffer Book.
He served as a writer-in-residence for Fishtrap, Inc. In 2019 he was named Poet Laureate of Southern Oregon by The Southern Oregon Guild. He also served as poetry editor for The Pedestal Magazine, Cobra Lily Review, and Flowstone Press.
His most recent poetry collections include drift line and dentro do som / inside the sound, a bilingual edition translated into Portuguese by Maria João Marques, published in 2021 by Companhia das Ilhas in the Azores.
His other books include Unfolding the Field (Flowstone Press, 2016), Root of Lightning (Pygmy Forest Press, 2011), Mudsong (Pygmy Forest Press, 2005), and Blue Crow (Potpourri Press, 2003).
In 2016, he was the recipient of a Luso-American Fellowship from DISQUIET International to attend the prestigious Disquiet literary program in Lisbon, Portugal, where he further immersed himself in his Portuguese roots.
Proud of his Portuguese heritage, Spring felt a deep connection to the sea, enjoying scuba diving. He was also fond of the Portuguese guitar and Fado and cherished experiences such as spending time in Lisbon and the Azores, and observing otters, sea lions, and seals along the Oregon coast.
He lived in O’Brien, Oregon, and spent much of his free time on his motor sailboat in Brookings, where he found peace surrounded by the natural world he loved.
Interviewed in 2023, by Millicent Borges Accardi, for the Portuguese American Journal, Michael Spring stated that, although he was “half Portuguese” he considered himself Luso-American.
He said, “I like to say that I’m Azorean or Azorean-Portuguese because my maternal bloodline has been traced back almost exclusively to the Azores since the early 1700s and probably beyond. Hopefully, with more research, I can find out more. Because I identify as a Luso-American, and I’m a poet, I seek publication in the Lusosphere. When submitting to Luso publications, I submit as Michael Garcia Spring to honor my Azorean-Portuguese lineage. “Garcia” is my mother’s maiden name.”
Spring also spoke of his strong relationship with the sea, “I don’t know how to explain it. I live about an hour away from the coast. I’ve spent a lot of time along the rocky shorelines between Humboldt County, California, to Newport, Oregon. A couple of years ago I bought a 33 ft. Nauticat – a bluewater motorsailer – moored in Brookings, Oregon.”
About his exploring his Portuguese heritage, Michel Spring visited Lisbon and the Azores. Of Lisbon, he said, “In Lisbon, I loved the miradouros! My favorite was Miradouro da Graça the viewpoint that honors Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. Outside of workshop activities, I attended several music events from experimental Jazz to traditional Fado in the Alfama district. I marveled at the cobbled streets and azulejos and products made from cork. I was introduced to vinho verde, bacalhau dishes and pastel de nata. I sought out art everywhere from wall murals and bookstores to museums and gardens. And the cafes! Before writing, I developed a morning ritual of um café e um pastel de nata.”
Visiting the Azores, where he met with local fellow writers, he recalled, “I landed in Ponta Delgada of São Miguel to meet Vamberto Freitas face to face. Vamberto and I have been corresponding since my first book blue crow came out in 2003. He led a class at the University of the Azores that translated my book into the Portuguese language and encouraged me to visit São Miguel. When I arrived in Ponta Delgada, he introduced me to José Carlos Oliveira Frias of Livraria Solmar and they gave me a tour of São Miguel – the Green Island! We had lunch in a volcano (Furnas) and visited the twin lake complex of Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Such colors! I was also introduced to Urbano Bettencourt one of my favorite poets. After a few days in São Miguel, I then spent an additional week visiting Faial and Pico. I stayed on Faial where my grandfather and grandparents were born, and then took a ferry to Pico where my great-great grandparents and numerous other ancestors were born. I got to walk the landscapes of my ancestors! I loved the harbor cloud forests of Faial and the Capelinhos Volcano. And, in Pico, the houses made of volcanic rock! And the lighthouses! And Mount Pico where, two years later, I would climb for my 55th birthday! And the food and wine! When I got off the ferry in Pico from Faial, I walked from Madalena to São Roque. Yes, I walked! I took in every scent and sound possible.”
Michael Garcia Spring was married to Jazmine Blu, and the father of Max Spring, Tai Spring, and Sierra Muñoz.
Carolina Matos/Editor
