When They Are Roused

AFTERNOON SUN
—C.P. Cavafy

This room, how well I know it.
Now this one and the one next door are rented
as business offices. The whole house has become
offices for agents, and merchants, and Companies.

Ah, this room, how familiar it is.

Near the door over here was a sofa,
and in front of it a Turkish rug;
close by, the shelf with two yellow vases.
On the right; no, opposite, a closet with a mirror.
In the center the table where he used to write;
and the three large wicker chairs.
Beside the window was the bed
where we made love so many times.

The poor objects must still be somewhere around.

Beside the window was the bed;
the afternoon sun reached it down to the middle.

...One afternooon at four o'clock we separated
for a week only...Ah me,
that week lasted forever.

________________________

Two more book sales:

In addition to the four listed on yesterday's post, Friends of the Davis Public Library have a sale starting at 10 AM on both Saturday (10/6) and Sunday (10/7). That's the Blanchard Room of the Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St., Davis. Info: 530-753-3436.

And the Friends of the Roseville Public Library have a sale Saturday (10/6) from 9 AM-4:30 PM. Prices range from 25 cents to $5. Roseville Civic Center Plaza, 316 Vernon St., Roseville. Info: 916-783-3892.


Also this weekend:

•••Saturday (10/7), 7 PM: First Saturday Poetry Series, hosted by Noah Hayes and Felicia McGee. Sojourner Truth Art Center, 2251 Florin Rd. (corner of Tamoshanter and Florin). All ages/$5. Come early for workshop. Info: www.malikspeaks.com

•••Also Saturday, 11 AM: Escritores del Nuevo Sol's writing workshop/potluck. La Raza Galeria Posada at its new location: 1024 22nd St., Sac. Info: Graciela Ramirez at 916-456-5323 or joannpen@comcast.net

•••Sunday (10/8), 2:30-4:30 PM: Poets on the Ridge meets at Juice & Java, 7067 Skyway, Paradise. Readings and Open Mic. for all ages. Info: 530-872-9633.

•••Sunday (10/8), 7 PM: Poets Corner Presents Richard Beban @ Barnes & Noble Stockton (Weberstown Mall on Pacific Ave. and March Lane). Info: 209-951-7014 or email David Humphreys at: david324h@yahoo.com.

•••Monday (10/9), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center will present Richard Beban, author of Young Girl Eating a Bird, at SPC, 25th & R Sts., Sacramento. See yesterday's post for a bio.


Bari found a place:

According to today's Sacramento Bee, B.L. Kennedy found a spot to show the video he and Linda Thorell produced about the history of poetry in Sacramento. It will be shown at the Crest Theater on December 6. Unfortunately, they were unable to find a venue that would allow them to show it for free, so they'll have to charge $5 a head. But of course it will be well worth it!

_______________________

THE WINDOWS
—C.P. Cavafy

In these darkened rooms, where I spend
oppressive days, I pace to and fro and around,
searching for the windows.—When a window
opens it will be a consolation.—
But the windows are not found, or I cannot
find them. And perhaps it is better I do not find them.
Perhaps the light will be a new tyranny.
Who knows what new things it will show?

_________________________

HE SWEARS
—C.P. Cavafy

Every so often he swears to start a finer life.
But when night comes with its own counsels,
its compromises, and its promises;
but when night comes with its own vigor
of the body, craving and seeking, he returns,
forlorn, to the same fatal joy.

_________________________

WHEN THEY ARE ROUSED
—C.P. Cavafy

Try to guard them, poet,
however few there are that can be kept.
The visions of your loving.
Set them, half hidden, in your phrases.
Try to sustain them, poet,
when they are rosed in your brain
at night, or in the glare of noon.

(Today's poetry was translated by Rae Delven.)

_______________________

—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.)