LA BELLE SAISON
—Jacques Prévert
Starved lost frozen
Alone without a cent
A girl of sixteen
Standing still
Place de la Concorde
At noon August Fifteenth
THE LAST SUPPER
—Jacques Prévert
They are at table
They eat not
Nor touch their plates
And their plates stand straight up
Behind their heads.
SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
—Jacques Prévert
From a plaited basket
The father picked a little paper ball
And he threw it
In the bowl
Before his fascinated kids
Then sprang up
multicolored
The great Japanese flower
Instantaneous water-lily
And the children were hushed
Wonderstruck
Never later in their memory
Could this flower fade
This sudden flower
Made for them
Instantly
Before them.
—Jacques Prévert
Starved lost frozen
Alone without a cent
A girl of sixteen
Standing still
Place de la Concorde
At noon August Fifteenth
THE LAST SUPPER
—Jacques Prévert
They are at table
They eat not
Nor touch their plates
And their plates stand straight up
Behind their heads.
SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
—Jacques Prévert
From a plaited basket
The father picked a little paper ball
And he threw it
In the bowl
Before his fascinated kids
Then sprang up
multicolored
The great Japanese flower
Instantaneous water-lily
And the children were hushed
Wonderstruck
Never later in their memory
Could this flower fade
This sudden flower
Made for them
Instantly
Before them.
I'm posting Prévert today because on Saturday, May 13, the Alliance Française de Sacramento will present Poésie en mai: from Villon to Prévert, a reading of 15 poems from the 15th to the 20th century in French and English, 5-6 pm. The reading will be held at the Alliance Française on 1721 25th St., Sac., $4 for members, and $6 for non-members. Seating is limited, so please RSVP ASAP (no later than May 10): 916-453-1723.
Tonight (Thursday, 4/27) will be another Think Postcard workshop, this time at Luna’s Café (1414 16th St., Sac.) at 5 pm. Then, at 8 pm, Poetry Unplugged will feature poet/performer D.R. Wagner. This rare reading and performance brings the multi-talented D.R. to the Luna stage, showcasing just some of his multi-means of expressing the impossible. D.R.’s fame reaches back to the mimeograph revolution. His woven poetry—employing textiles to display text, texture and colour—is amazing and the source of numerous galleried art exhibitions throughout the country. He has worked in written word and sound for jazz, rock, ambient, lounge and country ensembles.
See Medusa’s March 21 post for details of the postcard project. Events will continue through June; check www.sacculture.com for a complete schedule. To obtain blank postcards or inquire about hosting a workshop, call 916-566-3986.
Don’t forget to send in poems by May 1 for Snakelets, the journal of poetry from kids 0-12, and VYPER, for ages 13-19. Send 'em to kathykieth@hotmail.com. And the deadline for Rattlesnake Review #10 is also coming up in a couple of weeks: May 15. Send 3-5 poems, no bio/no cover/no prev-pubs/no simul-subs.
TRAVELING SHOW
—Jacques Prévert
Happy as the trout climbing the torrent
Happy the heart of the world
On its waterspout of blood
Happy the barrel-organ
Bawling in the dust
With its citrus voice
A popular tune
Without rhyme or reason
Happy the lovers
On the Russian mountains
Happy the russet-haired girl
On her white horse
Happy the brown boy
Who waits for her smiling
Happy this man in mourning
Standing in his skiff
Happy the fat dame
With her paper kite
Happy the old fool
Smashing plates
Happy in his carriage
A very small baby
Unhappy the draftees
On the rifle range
Sighting the heart of the world
Sighting their own heart
Sighting the heart of the world
Bursting out laughing.
_______________________
—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.)
