Monday, September 12, 2005

I Have a City to Cover With Lines

Here's a little something for Monday:

from CLEVELAND UNDERCOVERS
—d.a. levy

but that was then
NOW i am, and do not expect
tomorrow or yesterday today.
instead i write in exstacy
and when someone stops to say
"Hey, that's not true!"
i yell backwards,
"For who......and fuck rhyme."
i have a city to cover with lines,
with textured words &
the sweaty brick-flesh images of a
drunken tied-up whorehouse cowtown
sprawling and brawling on its back.

_______________________

Like a wide-eyed teenager, I've just discovered The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry, ed. by Alan Kaufman and S.A. Griffin (Thunder's Mouth Press, NY, 1999, $24.95) and am revelling in the revelations of alternative American poetry snuzzled among its pages. (Mention of locals, too, such as Ann Menebroker, D.R. Wagner, Ben Hiatt...) Whether you like the poetry or not, the history it contains, including the "mimeograph revolution" and the frontal attack on censorship policies, is something that should be required reading. To me, poetry is like music—classical, jazz, ethnic, etc.—and The Outlaw Bible has lots of jazz, rock, and headbanger in it. Check it out. Know your history, even if your ear prefers the classical. You may surprise yourself...

By the way, B.L. Kennedy (with a little help from his friends) will be sponsoring the d.a. levy tribute at HQ on Saturday, October 29.

Josh McKinney reads for SPC at HQ tonight (25th & R, Sac, 7:30). Tomorrow night (9/13) begins Chip Spann's Sutter LAMP Writing Workshop Series, 6:30-8:30 pm, six weeks, Sutter Resource Library, $10. Call Chipp for details: 916-454-6802. Wednesday (9/14) Anne Lamott (yes, Anne Lamott) gives a reading/talk to benefit the Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project, 7 pm at The Grand on 12th & J, Sac. $35. Info: Carrie Rose, 916-643-7917. Thursday (9/15) Cheryl Klein from LA at Luna's, 1414 16th St., Sac, 8 pm. FRIDAY: Escritores del Nuevo Sol presents an All-Spanish reading (Fausto Avendano, Betty Sanchez, Amado Nervo, Antonio Machado) at La Raza Galeria Posada, 15th & R, Sac, 7:30. $5/$3 students & members. Info: Graciela, 916-456-5323.

More levy:


THE BELLS OF THE CHEROKEE PONIES
—d.a. levy

i thought they were
wind chimes
in the streets at night

with my young eyes
i looked to the east
and the distant ringing
of ghost ponies
rose from the ground

Ponies Ponies Ponies

(the young horse becomes
a funny sounding
word)

i looked to the east
seeking buddhas to
justify those bells
weeping in the darkness

The Underground Horses
are rising

Cherokee, Delaware, Huron
we will return your land to you

the young horses
will return your land to you

to purify the land
with their tears

The Underground Horses
are rising
to tell their fathers
"in the streets at night
the bells of Cherokee ponies
are weeping."

______________________

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.
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