We Got Poetry, Oh Yeah!

Busy week! Get out your blackberries...

This Tuesday (9/6), HQ (25th & R Sts., Sac.) is hosting a benefit, starting at 8pm. There's no cover, but there will be a donation jar; all proceeds go to the Red Cross for the victims of Katrina. Some of the performers will include The Devil's Troubadour, Bob Barango, Poet Robert Roden, Art rockers dRAW PiNKY, and LAS PESADILLAS. Also, Bob Moricz will be screening the trailer for his new feature film, PALACE OF STAINS!!! Jay Greenberg be playing a few tunes as well, and Richard Hansen, publisher of the Poems-for-All chapbook series and proprietor of The Book Collector, will be your master of ceremonies.

On Thursday (9/8), Gilberto Rodriguez will interpret works by the French poets at Luna's for Poetry Unplugged, 1414 16th St., Sac., 8 pm. Free.

On Friday (9/9), the Nevada County Poetry Series will present Gail Entrekin, Luke Breit and David Meltzer at the Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley, 7:30. $5; refreshments and open mic.

James Lee Jobe will be reading at The Other Voice series in the library of the Unitarian Church in Davis, 27074 Patwin Rd., this Friday (9/9) at 7:30 pm, hosted by Allegra Silberstein (530-753-2634).

Bloom’s Day Celebration Sat., Sept. 10, 8 pm: Tribute, Roast, and reading of all things Bloom. As in Gene Bloom. Gene will present what he wants when he wants. It’s His Day! Includes the reading/performance of works by the Sacramento-based Poet, Gene Bloom by James Lee Jobe, Robert Rodan, Barbara Noble, Gilberto Rodriguez, Richard Hansen, Rachel Savage, Robert Lozano, frank andrick, plus these poets will present some of their own original and tribute work. And even more! Special musical guest Jay Greenberg. Hosted by Richard Hansen.

Or head over to Santa Rosa for the Sixth Annual Sonoma County Book Festival. More than 24 poets will join 80 other nationally acclaimed and locally treasured authors, independent booksellers, publishers, and readers of all ages on Saturday, September 10, in Old Courthouse Square, downtown Santa Rosa. 10 am-5 p.m. Free. California State Poet Laureate, Al Young, will announce Sonoma County's new Poet Laureate at 12:30. Young will read at 12:45. Other readers includes Sacramento's Josh McKinney (reading at noon), as well as Ellen Bass, Gillian Conoley and many others.

And then Sunday, ride over to Stockton as Poet's Corner presents Robert Grossklaus, Barnes & Noble in Weberstown Mall, 7 pm. Info: poetscornerpress.com

Josh McKinney will also be reading at SPC (HQ, 25th & R) next Monday, 7:30.

We got poetry, oh yeah!

Oh sure—we all know about that "Hog Butcher of the World" business. But have you read poems from another side of Carl Sandburg?


BEE SONG
—Carl Sandburg

Bees in the late summer sun
Drone their song
Of yellow moons
Trimming black velvet,
Droning, droning a sleepysong.


PAINTED FISHES
—Carl Sandburg

Green fishes on a red-lacquered tray
Are worn bringing a sea of beer
From draught-faucets to oak tables.
Between bartenders and customers
They are losing their green fins.


MARGARET
—Carl Sandburg

Many birds and the beating of wings
Make a flinging reckless hum
In the early morning at the rocks
Above the blue pool
Where the gray shadows swim lazy.
In your blue eyes, O reckless child,
I saw today many little wild wishes,
Eager as the great morning.


POPPIES
—Carl Sandburg

She loves blood-red poppies for a garden to walk in.
In a loose white gown she walks
and a new child tugs at cords in her body.
Her head to the west at evening when the dew is creeping,
A shudder of gladness runs in her bones and torsal fiber:
She loves blood-red poppies for a garden to walk in.

___________________________

—Medusa

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.