Strains of Katmandu

PINE STRAW
—Patricia Wellingham-Jones, Tehama

This tree has curly hair
a small friend chortled
spying the contorted white pine

In autumn I tug
from its branches tufts of needles
seared by the sun

Gather handfuls of pine straw
each strand curved
in a gentle brown arc

They create a natural nest
in my palm

I tuck the crisp-feathered cluster
into a hollow
at the base of an oak

Picture the creature
who might find it
claim it as home

The turn-pat-settle
of some small animal safe
in the dark

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Thanks, PWJ! Today is the last day of the Fall Snake-a-Thon; send Medusa (kathykieth@hotmail.com) your autumn poems by midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 26 (that's tonight!), and I'll send you a free copy of Phil Weidman's new rattlechap, Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems—or something else equally dandy, if you already have Phil's book.

Tonight (9/26), after you send me your Fall poems, go hear Craig Paulenich read at 7 PM from his new book of poetry, Drift of the Hunt, the first offering from nobodaddies press. CSUS Library Gallery, Sacramento. Free.

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PoemSpirits Resumes:

Local poet/artist/musician José Montoya is the first Fall featured reader at PoemSpirits, which will begin its fifth year this Sunday. Series co-facilitator JoAnn Anglin will also present a brief overview of the work of Poet Sharon Olds. Also open mic: All are invited to bring a poem of your own (or another’s) to read. Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd., 2 blocks north of Fair Oaks Blvd, between Howe and Fulton Avenues. UUSS Foyer/Lounge. Snacks available. Info: JoAnn Anglin, 916-451-1372, or Tom Goff/Nora Staklis, 916-481-3312.


rainflowers.org needs you!

Donald Anderson of Stockton writes: We've cleaned up and added content! I am looking for music, poetry, art, drama, writing, in audio, visual, and/or written original creations, or event-listing information, or references to arts-related websites. The main links are all accessable from http://www.rainflowers.org/home.html

Also, our upcoming paperback book, Sun Shadow Mountain, has added web content to view, linked at http://www.rainflowers.org/books.html

So if you have time, please help me with your...

1. links to any arts-related websites or resources, OR
2. events in any California area that qualify the above, OR
3. submissions to publish on our website, OR
3. submissions that you have for the book, OR
4. submissions that you have for the newsletter.

You may reach me (Donald Anderson) at emailtoo_live_forever@yahoo.com, by phone (209-943-2449) or by post mail at Donald Anderson, P.O. Box 121, Farmington, CA 95230. And you may reach my co-publisher at Nikki Quismondo, pisces03142001@yahoo.com, or by phone at (209-570-7917).

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Here's a lovely collection of Fall poems from Pat Pashby, whose littlesnake broadside, Potpourri, is available for free at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Or send me an SASE and I'll mail you one.

FALL CALL
—Patricia A. Pashby, Sacramento

Piles of leaves, nudged loose
by the brisk winds of autumn—
patchwork quilt for lawns.

Blushing, pumpkin-shaped
persimmons, hang like lanterns
awaiting moonlight.

_______________________

GREEN TOMATOES
—Patricia A. Pashby

I undress the garden and surrender to fall—
digging, hoeing, stripping the veggie decay.
Hidden under the leggy spindly sprawl—
orphaned, lime-green, stunted stowaways.
I'll make salsa dip or pan fry for a tasty buffet.

_______________________

A WALK IN THE PARK
—Patricia A. Pashby

They drift down, falling softly at her feet—
a crackling, crunchy, comforter of leaves.
She strolls along and all her woes retreat.
Embroidery of color drapes the trees
as strains of Katmandu float on the breeze.

_______________________

SHE TALKS TO THE OPEN WINDOW

and the fresh fall breeze
answers back
brushing her face and hair
and the wind chimes
chant to the persimmons
as they slowly blush orange
and the joyful squirrels
sputter as they sample
each fruit for ripeness
and she hears
the answers
in the wind

—Patricia A. Pashby

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NOT AN ORDINARY DAY
—Patricia A. Pashby

The scent of autumn mingles with the
remnants of the waning summer heat

as we drive down the curved road in
pale morning light, passing emerald

lawns, dotted with granite headstones,
faded plastic flowers clinging

to niched walls. Here and there balloons
whisper of young residents not yet settled.

A small white canopy shades rows
of folding chairs filled with family,

talking about his kindness and generosity
toward everyone fortunate enough to have known him.

A closed, flag-draped casket rests near pictures
of a youthful smiling man.

Four uniformed veterans, from a war long forgotten,
stand at attention, rifles in hand.

They fire a salute, followed by the melancholy strains
of Taps—echoing our last goodbys across the green.

We linger awhile
feeling the slight chill of fall in the air.

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Thanks, Pat! Everybody else—last chance! Get those Fall poems in toot-sweet!

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, 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.)