ABUNDANT RAIN
—Ann Privateer, Davis
Splashing night
the road reflects light lilke
black linoleum.
Engines hum, press home
wonder if
Joan of Arc will lead them?
Rain clears the way
candy wrappers
swirl toward sewers
where nothing shines.
Rain piles. Wind will
not cease, yet meals will be eaten.
_________________
Thanks, Ann!
Some wonderful things crossed my desk while I was gone, including submissions for Snake 9 (deadline 2/15). Three others of note:
•••The latest issue of Tiger's Eye: A Journal of Poetry, which includes poetry from Rattlechappers Taylor Graham (Living With Myth) and Jeanine Stevens (The Keeping Room, to be released 1/11), as well as new Snakepal Laura LeHew of Eugene, who sent us poems for Snake 8. Plus, Sacramentan Nancy Wahl scooped up First Prize in the current TE poetry contest! This TE also includes a "complementary insert", an expanded broadside, from slam poet Jean C. Howard (yes, slam—check it out!). TE Co-Editor Colette Jonopulos is herself a rattlechapper (The Burden of Wings).
•••The Vietnamese International Poetry Society's fourth anthology, Flowers of Love, which was sent to me by President Sinh Quang Le, who has had poetry published in two issues of The Snake. This anthology, published in 2004 (Be Davison Herrera is an Associate Editor), contains poems in Vietnamese, French and English, and includes work from Sacramento Poets Lawrence Brooks, Jason Cudahy, Tom Goff, Nora Laila Staklis, and Leah Levine in addition to many fine Vietnamese poets across the country. Order it from nhuhoalesinh@yahoo.com.
•••Good news, indeed! Battery Park City Authority in New York has designated Poets House the long-term, non-profit tenant of a 10,000 square foot space in a new building in Lower Manhattan, starting in 2007, with rent-free occupancy guaranteed through 2069! Space for the library's current (and rapidly growing) 45,000 items will expand, and the new facility will be readily accessible on the cusp of the financial district and one of the best-used and most beautiful parks in the city, with views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. Rattlesnake Press has chapbooks in the Poets House library, and this new success (and glimpses of longevity) is excellent news, not only for the Snake, but for the thousands of poets everywhere who are displayed within its walls. For the move, they have a fundraising goal of $6.5 million, 75% of which has already been met. More information at www.poetshouse.org.
_____________________
I didn't get to wish you Merry Christmas, but Happy New Year! Let's get racy with D.H. Lawrence:
NEW YEAR'S EVE
—D.H. Lawrence
There are only two things now,
The great black night scooped out
And this fireglow.
This fireglow, the core,
And we the two ripe pips
That are held in store.
Listen, the darkness rings
As it circulates round our fire.
Take off your things.
Your shoulders, your bruised throat!
Your breasts, your nakedness!
This fiery coat!
As the darkness flickers and dips,
As the firelight falls and leaps
From your feet to your lips!
___________________
May all the best lines come to you in 2006—wow! 2006!
—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. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)