S/HE SAID
—Ann Wehrman, Sacramento
“I’m more linear, actually,” you offer,
back erect as the plane of your cheek,
gaze burrowing into my viscera—
we talk about language,
feelings shifting behind our words.
I (the circle to your straight line,
port to your ship) receive
the thrust of your argument,
then return to myself.
Tied and swabbed, you sway within
my waters’ gentle kisses—
inclusive, eternal,
woman’s language, woman’s love.
_____________________
Thanks, Ann!
This is a big week for poetry in our area, as witnessed by page 4 of The Sacramento Bee’s Sunday Ticket section yesterday, with poetry lined up almost every day. Shazam!
•••Tonight (1/23), Maddy Walsh will read at Sacramento Poetry Center. Maddy is a charming young poet who has had many adventures, which she writes about very effectively. Hear her at HQ (25th & R Sts., Sac.) at 7:30 pm. Info: 916-451-5569.
•••Wednedsday (1/25) is the annual Burns Night: A Tribute to the Scottish Bard at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac.), 8 pm. During the open mic, read a selection from Robert Burns, other Scottish poets, or poetry of your own that celebrates either Burns, Scotland or Libations. Info: 442-9295.
•••Also Weds.: The Mahogany Urban Poetry Series at Sweet Fingers Jamaican Restaurant, 1704 Broadway, Sac., 9 pm. Info: 916-492-9336. $5 cover.
•••Thursday (1/26) features Bill Pieper at Poetry Unplugged (Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac.), 8 pm. Info: 441-3931. Also that night: Poetic Light Open Mic, 8-10pm at the Personal Style Salon, 2540 Cottage Way, Sac., Info: 470-2317; or Evening of Poetry, 7 pm, Gwen's Caribbean Cuisine, 2355 Arden Way, Sac. Info: 916-284-7831.
•••Friday, on the 27th, San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman will read with Agneta Falk at the Art Foundry Gallery, 1021 R St., Sac., 8 pm. Refreshments; $5 contribution requested. This reading is made possible in part through a grant from Poets & Writers, Inc. Info: www.breitpoet.com/foundry.html.
•••That same night (Friday, 1/27), the Nevada County Poetry Series’ Annual Fundraiser presents California's new Poet Laureate, Al Young, and the Inkwell student writers from the Nevada Union High School. Tickets can be purchased in Grass Valley in advance at Odyssey Books, The Book Seller and Cherry Records ($8 general, seniors and students, and $2 for those under 18) or at the door ($10 and $3). Refreshments included. The show will be in the Main Theater at the Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley, CA. Info: 530-432-8196 or 530-274-8384.
•••The 27th is also Thomas Crapper’s birthday. Tom, born in 1910, did a heckuva lot to improve what we lovingly refer to now as, well, The Crapper.
•••And Saturday (1/28), Poetry Now Editor and Rattlesnake Press Asst. Wrangler Robbie Grossklaus will be releasing his new chapbook, Kissing Einstein, at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac., 8 pm. Robbie is not releasing this beautiful publication through Rattlesnake Press, despite my whining, because he is anxious to make a mark for his own publishing house, Polymer Press. Fair enough; the loss is mine. Info: 916-442-9295.
•••Also Saturday (1/28): Brothers to the Sisters, with Tika and Franklin and the Ladies of Mahogany, Wo’se Community Center, 2863 35th St., Sac., 7-9 pm., $5. Info: 916-455-7638.
Finally, Colette weighs in with a poem about aging:
IN OUR VEINS
—Colette Jonopulos, Eugene, OR
The gods forget their dream of us, drop
their protective arms, leave us like
the ‘69 Ford moored in the driveway. We
imagine glory recaptured, new upholstery,
white leather with deep stitches, cracked
dashboard replaced, wheels perfectly rounded
without scars from pulling too close
to the curb, suspension no longer
jarring. We demand the original red, take
her top down even in the misted
foothills, slide through curves, right ourselves
and keep driving, never using the rear-view
mirror. Still-slumbering gods forget the pact
of youth, the lie of Mercury in our veins,
eternal bodies that cruise coastal waters
in scant clothing hoping for the high
of sex, or something close. Bodies like ours
need time to stretch in the morning, our
fenders rumpled, tie-rod ends leaky; when
the new models parade their aerodynamic
selves, we recognize their cocky attitude, fearless
maneuvers, we shake the shoulder of
the gods, long tired of our whining engines.
_______________________
Thanks, Colette!
—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.)