Poetry Like Kudzu

Everything is Nothing
Painting by Kasey Rae, Canyon Country

THREADS OF LIGHT
—Allegra Silberstein, Davis

The sun half-way to noon,
dew still shining in the grass.
Under a valley oak
a clump of violets.

In a certain angle
of afternoon sun
starlight comes
from a piece of broken glass.

The sun dips in the west—
a daffodil drinks light.
Shadows yearn to the east,
evening turns to night…

Today no great list
of tasks completed
but so much space between
to gather simple joys:

threads of light
to weave into a flame
that glimmers in the dark
like a chalice.

__________________

Thanks, Kasey and Allegra! Watch for more of Allegra Silberstein, Kasey Rae, and Margaret Ellis Hill in Snake 19, due out in mid-September.


Next Monday at SPC:

•••Monday (8/18), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Nancy Wallace and Melen Lunn Fureby at HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sacramento. Refreshments and Open Mic. Nancy Wallace writes: I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, married, went and lived in Canada for ten years and then moved to California. I’ve never wanted to leave California, but in going back to visit my family of origin, I’ve discovered my roots and we are a family of Canadian Americans (I’ll have to read my poem “Borders” sometime.) I have three children, all growed up and living in California. I’ve lived downtown (again) since 1980. I also love to give parties. But I was always lonely—everywhere I went, no matter how many people I met, I never met the same people again—until I found the writers in Sacramento. It was a little like heaven—people from all those walks of life, all those years of living just show up—people like Arthur Butler, Beautiful Willow, Bari Kennedy, Gene Avery, Becci Broussard, Jeannie Keltner, Kathryn Holwein, Rodrick Bedingfield and others. For the first time in my life, I really feel part of a community, a place where I can be liked and disliked but not kicked out—because I’m a writer, I belong because I’m a writer, not because I’m liked or I’m good, I just am a writer.

Melen Lunn Fureby writes: Poems began popping up off the pages of my journals around the time I moved to San Francisco from Philadelphia, in 1979. I wrote a lot in the '80's but my increasing commitment to a career in Special Education has squeezed my time for poetry considerably! I am grateful to the 3rd Sunday writers group for helping me find a pocket in which my muse can breathe.

Coming Monday, August 25: Ann Keniston and June Saraceno.

__________________

HOW LONG IS WAIT...
—Allegra Silberstein

In the heat of summer
we long for autumn, yet
falling leaves come unbidden.

How long is wait
beneath the hollow
bridges.

How far hunger
when the owl’s high cry
slices the night.

How long is wait
beneath the sky when
meteors fall.

In the cold of winter
we remember
falling leaves.

__________________

MELTING WAX
—Allegra Silberstein

I pick at wax residue
candle light nearly spent
the remainder of a meal
with bent thoughts like crumbs
brushed from the table
after the dishes are cleared.

Faint candle-glow
recalls falling winter snow
from that dawn when I was young
on a Wisconsin farm.
Light flickers like memories.
Melting wax feeds the charred wick.

___________________

James Lee Jobe took exception to a word that Raindog Armstrong used in one of his poems that was posted here yesterday. James writes: Looking at Raindog's poem on your blog I had to wonder; would he call my Asian wife a gook? My child? I suppose so. The word is despicable. The fact that it is in an attempt at art does not justify it. There is a difference between free speech and bigotry. I ask that you post this note as a voice of protest.

I wrote back that I thought the word was used to show one of the many ways "Johnny's" head had been messed with. JLJ replied: On the context of the word in the poem, I hear what you're saying, but it's still cheap. I've used hard language in poems, things one does not say in polite company, but in a lifetime of writing poems on many subjects I've never found a poem that benefited from a racial slur, and this poem is no different. Armstrong could have easily used "ready to kick Charlie's ass" or something similar.

What do you think?

__________________

Today's LittleNip:

MY POETRY LIKE KUDZU GROWS
—Margaret Ellis Hill, Wilton

I want to reach deep into the ground;
Grow in all directions. I want

my leaves to flicker with rain, glow
copper and gold, become spongy like earth.

I want to be unhindered, springing life
into brave tales that make marks on the world.

I want my mind to expand, to understand
the patience of an avocado seed waiting in water.

__________________

—Medusa

P.S. Want to read some really BAD prose? Peggy Hill says go to http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/scott.rice/blfc2008.htm for the results of San Jose State's annual Bulwer-Lyton contest.


SnakeWatch: What's Up With Rattlesnake Press

The Snake will be snoozing through July and August, leaving Medusa to carry on alone. Then on September 10, we shall burst back onto the scene with Thirteen Poems, a new chapbook from Patrick Grizzell; #2 in Katy Brown's series of blank journals (Musings2: Vices, Virtues and Obsessions); a littlesnake broadside (Wind Physics) from Jordan Reynolds; plus Issue #19 of Rattlesnake Review (deadline is August 15). Meanwhile, look in on Medusa every day, and, for heaven's sake, keep sending stuff! The snakes of Medusa are always hungry...


Medusa's Weekly Menu:

(Contributors are welcome to cook up something for any and all of these!)

Monday: Weekly NorCal poetry calendar

Tuesday: Seed of the Week: Tuesday is Medusa's day to post poetry triggers such as quotes, forms, photos, memories, jokes—whatever might tickle somebody's muse. Pick up the gauntlet and send in your poetic results; and don't be shy about sending in your own triggers, too! All poems will be posted and a few of them will go into Medusa's Corner of each Rattlesnake Review. Send your work to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. No deadline for SOW; respond today, tomorrow, or whenever the muse arrives. (Print 'em out, maybe, save 'em for a dry spell?) When you send us work, though, just let us know which "seed" it was that inspired you.

Wednesday (sometimes): HandyStuff Quickies: Resources for the poet, including whatever helps ease the pain of writing and/or publishing: favorite journals to read and/or submit to; books, etc., about writing; organizational tools—you know—HandyStuff! Tell us about your favorite tools.

Thursday: B.L.'s Drive-Bys: Micro-reviews by our irreverent Reviewer-in-Residence, B.L. Kennedy. Send books, CDs, DVDs, etc. to him for possible review (either as a Drive-By or in future issues of Rattlesnake Review) at P.O. Box 160664, Sacramento, CA 95816.

Friday: NorCal weekend poetry calendar

Daily (except Sunday): LittleNips: SnakeFood for the Poetic Soul: Daily munchables for poetic thought, including short paragraphs, quotes, wonky words, silliness, little-known poetry/poet facts, and other inspiration—yet another way to feed our ravenous poetic souls.

And poetry! Every day, poetry from writers near and far and in-between! The Snakes of Medusa are always hungry.......!

_________________

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their POETRY, PHOTOS and ART, as well as announcements of Northern California poetry events, to kathykieth@hotmail.com (or snail ‘em to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726) 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.) Medusa cannot vouch for the moral fiber of other publications, contests, etc. that she lists, however, so submit to them at your own risk. For more info about the Snake Empire, including guidelines for submitting to or obtaining our publications, click on the link to the right of this column: Rattlesnake Press (rattlesnakepress.com). And be sure to sign up for Snakebytes, our monthly e-newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on all our ophidian chicanery.