Dances in Walla Walla

SEVEN SISTERS, 1919
—Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento

They thought they were wood nymphs
those girls in Isadora frocks.
Alice and her six sisters,
gossamer scarves trailing
through tall trees
in shafts of sunlight.
They sang as they spun
around in the trees and dreamed
of dances in Walla Walla
and halls of flowers
at the county fair.
Oh it was rare
the way they turned
and tumbled in the air
white arms raised
as they spun around and sang
their old Greek song.

_____________________

Victoria Dalkey’s poems have appeared in Abraxas, bakunin, Birmingham Review, Cimarron Review, Napa Review, and other small press publications. Her chapbook, Twenty-Nine Poems, was published in 1999 by Red Wing Press. Since 1976, she has written reviews, interviews and feature articles about art for The Sacramento Bee. Come celebrate the release of her latest chapbook, In the Absence of Silver, from Rattlesnake Press at The Book Collector (1008 24th St., Sac.) this coming Wednesday (August 10), 7:30 pm.

The Sacramento Poetry Center sponsors an open mic tonight, Open Mic with Lemonade, hosted by Bob Stanley at HQ for the Arts, 25th and R Sts., Sac., 7:30pm.

And one week from today (8/15) is the next deadline for Rattlesnake Review. Send 3-5 poems by snail (4708 Tree Shadow Place, Fair Oaks, 95628) or e-mail (kathykieth@hotmail.com). No cover letters, no simul-subs, no previously-pubs. The Snake also publishes artwork and photographs, and interviews, reviews, and articles, too (please query first for the prose stuff). More later in the week about exciting additions for the next issue!

—Medusa (hi, Sammie!)


Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.