A Breeze in Their Teeth

from "Voyages"
—Hart Crane

I

Above the fresh ruffles of the surf
Bright striped urchins flay each other with sand.
They have contrived a conquest for shell shucks,
And their fingers crumble fragments of baked weed
Gaily digging and scattering.

And in answer to their treble interjections
The sun beats lightning on the waves,
The waves fold thunder on the sand;
And could they hear me I would tell them:

O brilliant kids, frisk with your dog,
Fondle your shells and sticks, bleached
By time and the elements; but there is a line
You must not cross nor ever trust beyond it
Spry cordage of your bodies to caresses
Too lichen-faithful from too wide a breast.
The bottom of the sea is cruel.

_______________________

Poetry events this weekend:

•••Saturday (6/10): Think Postcard! workshop from 6:30-8 PM at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac., facilitated by Poet (and rattlechapper) Mary Zeppa and Artist Claudia Smith. Info: 916-442-9295.

•••Also Saturday (6/10): Giant June Book Sale at Fair Oaks Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Blvd. (just south of Madison Av.) in Fair Oaks, 11 AM-4 PM. Books, videos, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, lots of books-on-tape. Half the proceeds go to their "adopted" library in Gulfport, LA, a victim of Hurricane Katrina.

•••Also Saturday (6/10), the fourth Youth Talent Show with host “Patricity” from 3-5 PM at Queen Sheba’s Fine Dining, 1537 Howe Av., Sac. They encourage youth of all ages to come on out and share their gifts in a positive and uplifting manner. It can be poems, essays, dance, a story, a song, a comedy. Let's encourage our youth with your presence. Free, but they do ask that you do at least purchase a soda or small item to support the restaurant for allowing them to use such a beautiful and warm spot. Info: 916-920-1020.

•••Sunday (6/11): Poet's Corner presents an Open Mike at Barnes and Noble, Stockton's Weberstown Mall, Pacific Ave/Yokuts Ave, Stockton. 7 PM. Free.

In other news:

Joyce Jenkins, of Poetry Flash in Berkeley, writes: Due to the imminent closing of Cody's Books on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, the Poetry Flash at Cody's reading series (produced by Poetry Flash magazine since 1982, founded in the early seventies) is relocating. Previously announced events for June and July will be held at Moe's Books in Berkeley and at DIESEL, a Bookstore in Oakland. A new fall schedule and venue will be announced later this summer. This communication refers only to the poetry reading series, not to the book parties presented by Cody's Books, which will continue in the two other Cody's locations, Fourth Street in Berkeley and Stockton in San Francisco. For more information about any of this and about June readings, please call Joyce Jenkins at (510) 525-5476, e-mail: editor@poetryflash.org, or see www.poetryflash.org. [EEEK!! Cody's is CLOSING?]

Reptiliana:

You may've heard—new Snakes will be out next week, in addition to the release of Rattlechap #25 and littlesnake broadside #25, both by the irrepressible B.L. Kennedy. (To further the chain of coincidences, this is Bari's 24th—well, okay, NOT his 25th, but close—book.) Anyway, as Reviewer-in-Residence for the Snake, Bari has written a very positive review of a new book, Typical Girl, by Snakepal Donna Kuhn. (Fine Tooth Press, POBx 11512, Waterbury, CT 06703, $11.95). So I wrote to Donna and said, "Quick—send pomes!" and she did, bless her. Herewith:

AGAIN
—Donna Kuhn, Aptos

baguette music, birds without eyes
echo the moon, so yr reptilian

threes a girl of leather scream
the freeway is the freeway

i dont want green wildlife, his cup of rain
like an instant pelican grabs the ocean

bites a breeze in their teeth
in my hand chaos chases

triangle sandwiches in their hot tub
goat baby teeth likes something

my husband is burning with mist
of a theater company, blue sandpaper

sunset sandwiches that drip with rain
a moon war bored like baby stars

i get mad and chase a girl with long chaos
my
husband is burning dolphins, movie stars

i dont want green wildlife girl and the wind
is her resolved clutch

_______________________

ASPECT
—Donna Kuhn

it was dangerous, boring, dangerous
she was something and u have a
long town again

moon, it was toned down
hope everyone is ego-tripping
i am in u with something fine

something dangerous
something dreaming stars
u have and u were

u were and u were
a restaurant, moon it was down
i am in u with fear

tundra aspect, moon on face
i am in u with a doubled moon

_______________________

Also in this upcoming Snake: poems about nuns, hawks, crazy people, "women who prefer tub baths", incest, tea, Hawaii, and of course snakes, snakes, snakes. Be there!

—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.)