Let the Typing Begin!

Snake 8 is now in the stages of being put down on paper, thanks to all of you—poets, columnists, artists, photographers—who sent me your wonderful work and who continue to allow yourselves to be associated with that-there rascally reptile. Target release date is early December.

In the mood for a road trip on this spectacular Fall day? The Central California Art Association & the Mistlin Art Gallery will host a poetry reading at 4 pm today in the gallery (10115 J St., Modesto), featuring the writing group Licensed Fools. Info: Gordon Preston (523-8916)...gordonbp@sonnet.com. I've been down there, and the gallery is very nicely appointed, situated in the middle of the reconstructed inner city of Modesto. I also know the Fools and their writing; way cool.

Also tonight is the 7th Annual Poetry Festival at Shasta College in Redding. It starts at 7:30 PM in Room 802, and many poets from the region will be participating, including Tehama Snake-pal Patricia Wellingham-Jones. Heck, that's only a couple of hours up the road. Stop at the bird sanctuaries on the way and say hi to our wintering friends.

Or stay in Sac and go to Underground Books to hear Flo-Real, Terry Moore, and Rob Anthony at "Candlelight Love Poetry Night". 35th & Broadway, Sac., $3, 7-9 pm. Sounds like a great place to take a date. Info: Terry Moore, 916-455-POET.

Tomorrow (Sunday 11/20) at 3 pm, FRIENDS OF ARTHUR & KIT KNIGHT (including Annie Menebroker, Joan Kruger, the Hansens and other Valley people) will host a goodbye potluck for poets/writers Arthur and Kit Knight, who are moving to Yerington, Nevada in December. This will be a sit-down late lunch potluck, so PLEASE RSVP richard@poems-for-all (916-442-9295) if you'd like to attend. Bring a dish to serve six, and any tributes or poems you'd like to read in their honor.

Also on Sunday is the Third Sunday Writing Group at 1:00. This is one of the long-running workshops in Sacramento, and meets at various locations around town. Info: Rebecca Morrison at eskimopi@jps.net.

And Monday night, Sac. Poetry Center features Bob Stanley, local poet and musician and SPC Board member who has served the Sacramento poetry scene well over the years. 7:30 pm at HQ (25th & R Sts., Sac.). Info: 916-451-5569.


THE ONE FURROW
—R.S. Thomas

When I was young, I went to school
With pencil and foot-rule
Sponge and slate,
And sat on a tall stool
At learning's gate.

When I was older, the gate swung wide;
Clever and keen-eyed
In I pressed,
But found in the mind's pride
No peace, no rest.

Then who was it taught me back to go
To cattle and barrow,
Field and plough;
To keep to the one furrow,
As I do now?

___________________

In honor of The Snake, another of which is in the throes of birth:

ADDER
—R.S. Thomas

What is this creature discarded
like a toy necklace
among the weeds and flowers,
singing to me silently

of the fire never to be put out
at its thin lips? It is scion
of a mighty ancestor
that spoke the language

of trees to our first
parents and greened its scales
in the forbidden one, timelessly shining
as though autumn were never to be.

______________________

Thanks, R.S! Medusa will send a free copy of Allegra Silberstein's new book, In the Folds, to anyone who can come up with R.S. Thomas' first name—but you have to show me (or tell me) your source...

—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. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)