Of Porridge and Amulets

PORRIDGE
—Rhony Bhopla, Sacramento

Open your mouth wide,
brown lumps, mixed in warm cream milk;
nipples, float to tongue.

_______________________

That'll wake us up! Thanks, Rhony!

Snake-pal and rattlechapper (Voices on the Land) Patricia Wellingham-Jones got a bit of press today in The Sacramento Bee, in the "Scene" section's main article, one about women and friendships: "Calling it off: When a friendship goes bad..." Check it out!

Today (Friday, 5/19): I Can Do That! A Very Special Festival of the Arts will showcase the artistic talents and accomplishments of students with disabilities: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St., Sac., 9 am-1 pm. Puppets 'n everything! Info: Alice at 916-277-6747.

Also today (5/19): the Our House Defines Art poetry reading will feature Laverne & Carol Frith, editors of Ekphrasis, along with rattlechapper/spiralchapper/Formalist-in-Residence for Rattlesnake Review Joyce Odam (who is also Editor of PDQ and Brevities). Their reading will be followed by an open mic. Our House Defines Art Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center (just south of Hwy 50), El Dorado Hills, 7:00 pm. No charge. Info: 916-933-4278.

Also today (5/19) at the Sutter Cancer Center, 2800 L St., 2nd floor, Rm. 220, 7-8:30 pm: Jose Montoya, former Sacramento Poet Laureate and co-founder of the Royal Chicano Air Force, inspired Luis Rodriguez in the 1970s. Writing led Rodriguez out of addiction and crime to become a leading Chicano writer, author of 10 books, including Always Running, now in its 20th printing. Through language and imagination, Montoya and Rodriguez uplift young people and motivate them to change their lives. This is the first time these two legendary figures have appeared together. Info: sutterwriters.com.

Saturday (5/20), 8 pm, Headquarters for the Arts/Sac. Poetry Center celebrates its first anniversary at 25th & R Sts. in Sac. In addition to the current exhibit of works by Asylum Gallery's artists, they've got a stellar line-up of local poets, musicians, and filmmakers for your entertainment, including Crawdad Nelson, Indigo Moor and Robbie Grossklaus. Adrian Bourgeouis and Bob Stanley and Mary Zeppa will channel the Music of the Spheres for your listening enjoyment. Plus the world premiere of a short film by Bob Moricz, Sacramento's most outre auteur! Food and libations, and the whole thing is free.

Coming up Monday (5/22): Susurrus, Sacramento City College's annual prize-winning literary journal for student works, is set for distribution. On May 22 at 7:30 pm, Sacramento Poetry Center will host a contributors' reading for this new issue. Readers will include Tony Caselli, Donna Lee, Ted Yannello, Mike Bezemek, Brian Northere and others, with special appearances by SCC's own Jan Haag and Danny Romero. That's Monday at HQ, 25th & R Sts., Sac.

Also Monday, for seniors: a Think Postcard! workshop at Hart Senior Center, 915 27th St., Sac., 9:30 a.m.

Now a nummy poem from Sacramentan Jeanine Stevens, whose rattlechap, The Keeping Room, is available at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Ah, trade routes—reminds me of my days on a tall ship...

TRADE ROUTES
—Jeanine Stevens, Sacramento

The amulet grows heavy
against my chest.

White soured chalk,
like battery acid, rakes

swollen lips. I ignore
your blunt, surly

negotiations, watch
the stream between us

shrink. How tied we are
to each other's breath. I step

across, heave gulps of air
and exchange salt for gold.

(Previously published in Poesy)

_______________________

Thanks, Jeanine!

How about a little Amy Lowell—

PINE, BEECH AND SUNLIGHT
—Amy Lowell

The sudden April heat
Stretches itself
Under the smooth, leafless branches
Of the beech-tree,
And lies lightly
Upon the great patches
Of purple and white crocus
With their panting, wide-open cups.

A clear wind
Slips through the naked beech boughs,
And their shadows scarcely stir.
But the pine-trees beyond sigh
When it passes over them
And presses back their needles,
And slides gently down their stems.

It is a languor of pale, south-starting sunlight
Come upon a morning unawaked,
And holding her drowsing.

_______________________

—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.)