Richard is a very solid contributor to the poetry scene in Sacramento, not only providing a venue for readings (and lately it seems like there is a reading at TBC every week!) but by serving on the Board of the Sacramento Poetry Center. Unfortunately, Richard has had to resign from the Board due to his plate spilling over with other activities. It's obvious, though, that Richard has a great love for our poetry community, and will continue to serve in many capacities—not the least of which is providing a Home for the Snake. Thanks, Richard and Rachel, for putting a roof over the head for the Rattlesnake Reading Series and books. (Go on down there and say hey to R & R and little Ru—and while you're at it, pick up a copy of Snake 6 and of Mary's The Battered Bride Overture, now available.)
Here's a poem from Tiger's Eye co-editor Colette Jonopulos. Tiger's Eye: A Journal of Poetry is always looking for submissions, both for the journal and for its bi-annual contests. Visit them at www.tigerseyejournal.com or contact them at tigerseyepoet@yahoo.com for more information.
Into the Woods
The wood nymphs, decked with
daisies trim. John Milton
He studies her toughened
heels, small feet that
brought her to these woods,
this tent of old-growth
trees weary from months of
rain and lack of light. “So
rough,” she says to tree’s
flared trunk, the tips
of her fingers raw from
touching. He wants to lay
an altar in front of her, a silken
scarf or striped prayer
shawl, pine needles gathered
at its center, blue fire
ringing its edges. He watches
her eyes (the color of bark),
her tensed legs prepared to
flee his cage of furtive need.
He does not know her
boundaries, the words that
might unravel her hair, so
he captures resin droplets,
smears the balm along the
smooth blade of her
shoulder, curve of her hip,
course edges of her heels.
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Thanks, Colette.
Medusa