MAY DAY
—Frank Taber, Sacramento
young leaves make a great noise
when the north wind blows
branches sway and gyre
riding the turmoil
rolling with the random buffets
as dry air takes its moisture toll
gesturing at thousand-mile dust
with bursts of green
as if breaking into speech
of first and amazing words
_______________________
Thanks, Frank! This poem is included in Frank Taber's upcoming rattlechap, Northwind on I-5, which will be premiered at a reading next Wednesday, March 8, at The Book Collector (1008 24th St., Sac.), 7:30 pm. Frank has been involved in Sacramento poetry for years 'n years 'n years; it's time his work be sent out into the larger world in the form of a collection.
Also released that night will be the newest Snakelets, the journal of poetry from kids 0-12 (this issue is a good 'un, as always—they are SOOOOOOO cute!); and Sacramento poet Judy Halebsky will read from her new littlesnake broadside, Almost Turning Over.
I'm also hoping that the new Rattlesnake Review will be available that night, but I dunno—it's really FAT—and PHAT—so we'll have to see. (Suspense!—Cool! Will she, or won't she?) It's gonna be close. But I do have to say that, after a year of difficult bonding, the printer 'n me are getting along VERY fine. Plus, I moved it to a spot where it gets more power, and the speed of printing has more than doubled. Shazam! More power!!
Teaser: the new Snake will feature all the usual columnist suspects, each of whom continues to outdo him/herself—including reviews and mini-reviews, challenges, challenge results, interviews, art and photography, And of course poetry poetry poetry poetry poetry, and other just-plain dandy stuff. We also have a dual report from two gals (Colette Jonopulos and Laura LeHew) who attended a residency program, as well as some samples from Blood on the Page, the book of writings being launched Saturday, March 11 by Sutter Cancer Center.
Some of our poetry this time came from our friends who are from "Chico and higher" in the state. Snake Pal and Rattlechapper Patricia Wellingham-Jones helped me pull together poets from Chico northward all the way to the Oregon border. There are quite a few of them in the mountains and valleys of our upper state. Here's a poem from Dewell H. Byrd of Eureka, a poet who has been in (I believe) every single Snake since the beginning:
GOURMET
—Dewell H. Byrd, Eureka
Purple mussels clutch wet rocks
push Chinese Hats up the pylons
Green ribbons rooted in crevices
weave the water
host
countless Dungeness Crab eggs.
Crab cakes:
saliva flows.
_____________________
Thanks, Dewell! The Snake will emerge when he's ready...
Tonight (3/3), The Other Voice in Davis presents Kathleen Lynch at 7:30 in the library of the Davis Unitarian Church at 27074 Patwin Road, Davis.
Frank's poem notwithstanding, it ain't May yet. Another rain poem:
THE GREAT FIGURE
—William Carlos Williams
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
with weight and urgency
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city.
________________________
—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.)