Hidden Rooms

SINCE NINE O'CLOCK—
—C.P. Cavafy

Half past twelve. The time has passed quickly
since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp,
and sat down here. I sat without reading,
and without speaking. With whom could I speak
all alone in this house.

Since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp,
the vision of my youthful body
has appeared and found me and reminded me
of closed heavily scented rooms,
and pleasure long past—what audacious pleasure!
And it also brought before my eyes
streets that have now become unrecognizable,
centers full of movement that are ended,
and theaters and cafes that once used to be.

The vision of my youthful body
appeared and brought me also the sad memories;
family mournings, separations,
feelings of my dear ones, feelings
of the dead so little esteemed.

Half past twelve. How the time has passed.
Half past twelve. How the years have passed.

_______________________

This week in Nor Cal poetry:

•••Tonight (Monday, 10/23), 7:30 PM: the Sacramento Poetry Center presents Joshua Clover, author of The Totality For Kids (2006) and Madonna anno domini (1997), winner of the Walt Whitman Award from The Academy of American Poets. Clover teaches at UC-Davis, and contributes to Village Voice and The New York Times. Host Tim Kahl. SPC/HQ for the Arts, 1719-25th St., Sac. (25th and R Sts.), 916-451-5569.

•••Also tonight: The Moody Blues Poetry Series, 8 PM, presents Ms. Ashleigh with music by DJ Barney B. $5 at A Taste of Laguna, 9080 Laguna Main in Elk Grove. Hosted by Ms. La-Rue. 916-284-7831. The Moody Blue Poetry Series happens every Monday.

•••Tuesday (10/24): Bistro 33 in the Historic City Hall, 226 “F” Street, at 3rd and “F” Streets in Davis. Open-mic signup begins at 8 PM, the warm-up readers (Jones and Henderson) begin at about 8:30, and the feature (Terry Moore) begins around 8:50 for half an hour or so, maybe longer. Open mic afterward, with perhaps a musical interlude. http://www.bistro33.com/bistro33_davis/home.html or Andy Jones: aojones@ucdavis.edu or 530-756-4556.

•••Weds. (10/25), 6-7 PM: Hidden Passage Poetry Reading, 352 Main St. in Placerville. It's an open-mic read-around, so bring your own poems or those of a favorite poet to share, or just come to listen.

•••Thursday (10/26), 8 PM, featured Poets Art Beck and Mary Mackey plus open mic. Hosted by B.L. Kennedy. Luna’s, 1414 16th St., Sacramento.

•••Also Thursday, 8-11 PM: Vibe Sessions presents Kevin Sandbloom at Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton Blvd. (next to Colonial Theater), Sac. $5, hosted by Flo-Real. Open Mic for comedians, singers, poets.

•••Saturday (10/28), 7-9 PM: "The Show" Poetry Series features Neo-Soul Vocalist Kevin Sandbloom from LA, plus extended open mic time. Also Born 2B Poets with special guest Bloom Beloved. Wo'se Community Center (Off 35th & Broadway), 2863 35th St., Sac. $5. 916-455-POET.



Wanda Coleman writes of Things Falling Apart:

I am guest-editing next issue of L.A. Review. I've got to make my editorial decisions by November 15th. (Theme: Things Fall Apart—But I'll look at anything.) Anyone interested, and not afraid of rejection slips, can send poems the old-fashioned away: 3-5 poems regular mail with SASE (63 cents) for acceptance or return to me at: Wanda Coleman, Guest Poetry Editor, Los Angeles Review, P.O. Box 3537, Grenada, Hills 91394.

_______________________

AND I RECLINED AND LAY DOWN ON THEIR BEDS
—C.P. Cavafy

When I entered the house of pleasure,
I did not remain in the room where they celebrate
recognized loves with some semblance of order.

I went into the hidden rooms
and I reclined and lay down on their beds.

I went into the hidden rooms
that they are even ashamed to name.
But not shameful to me—for then
what kind of poet or craftsman would I be?
I'd rather lead a hermit's life. It would be more consonant,
much more consonant with my poetry;
than for me to enjoy myself in the commonplace room.

_______________________

HALF AN HOUR
—C.P. Cavafy

I neither had you, nor will I ever have you,
I guess. A few words, a coming close
as in the bar the other day, and nothing more.
It is a pity, I do not deny. But we of the world of Art
sometimes create pleasure with intensity of mind,
and of course only for a short while,
which almost gives the effect of the real.
So in the bar the other day—the merciful
alcohol also helping much—
I had a perfect erotic half-hour.
And it seems to me you understood,
and you purposely stayed somewhat longer.
That was very necessary. Because
for all of imagination and the magic alcohol,
I needed to see your lips too,
I needed to have your body close to me.

________________________

THE BANDAGED SHOULDER
—C.P. Cavafy

He said that he had hurt himself on a wall or that he had fallen.
But there was probably another reason
for the wounded, bandaged shoulder.

With a somewhat forceful movement,
to bring down from a shelf some
photographs that he wanted to see at close range,
the bandage was loosened and a little blood ran.

I bandaged the shoulder again, and tying it
I was somewhat slow; because it did not hurt,
and I liked to look at the blood.
That blood was part of my love.

After he left I found a blood-drenched rag
in front of the chair, from the bandages,
a rag headed for the garbage;
which I brought up to my lips,
and which I held there for a long time—
the blood of love on my lips.

________________________

—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.)