The Fiesta of the World

Sleep is like a bridge
which reaches from today to tomorrow.
Below, like a dream,
the water flows by.

—Juan Ramon Jimenez

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One Poem at a Time

Cher Wollard writes: Copies will soon be available of One Poem at a Time, a collection of Charlene Villella's last poems, most of them concerning her journey with cancer. This is a lovely book, containing 65 poems and a half-dozen of her beautiful nature photographs in full color. It was compiled over the past year by her daughter Vicki and some of Char's friends, and is being published by Mustard Seed Press. And, while the topic is grim, the poems are infused with Char's irrepressible good humor.

For those of you who don't know, Charlene was a gifted poet and photographer. She was the first Poet Laureate of Pleasanton and was named honorary Tri-Valley Poet Laureate Emerita. She was a member of the Ina Coolbrith Circle and Crystal Writers. Her work was published in many literary journals and anthologies, plus her own previous collections, and was honored with numerous awards. She taught poetry workshops, and especially enjoyed working with young poets. She ran the poetry competition at the Alameda County Fair for years; started the literary events which are now a tradition at Century House; and was a co-founder of the annual Pleasanton Poetry and Arts Festival. She died in April 2005 after a long struggle with breast cancer.

The initial run for this very special book is 100 copies. About half of these are already spoken for. I would like people to pre-order, so we'll know if we need to do a second printing. The cost of the book is $20, including tax. At the family's request, any profit from the sale of the books will go to the Pleasanton Poetry and Arts Festival. To reserve a copy, e-mail Cher at c.wollard@comcast.net. Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address, and how many copies you would like.

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The Unitarian Universalist Poetry Workshop

Rattlechapper James Lee Jobe writes: The idea of this free workshop is to create new poems themed on the seven Unitarian Universalist Association Principles and Purposes:

•The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
•Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
•Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
•A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
•The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
•The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
•Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

We will meet for 8 nearly-consecutive Fridays, covering one principle per week. The eighth week, we will read our finished poems. Each workshop will last two hours. We will first hear poems from both local and international poets that relate to the principle of the week. There will be discussion on both the poems and the principle. There will be various other materials as well, recorded poems, some visual aids. Then there will be a writing time. Each session will finish with a reading and discussion of the these first drafts. Revisions will be done at home, and I will be available to offer suggestions through e-mail, mail or on the phone.

If you are a Unitarian Universalist, this is an opportunity to look at the principles in our covenant in a new and creative way. If you are a poet of any faith, this is an opportunity to get some motivation—and some poems—in a new way. If you are both, like I am, this is an opportunity to mix your faith and your art.

There is no charge, and people of any faith or background are welcome. Meeting times are Fridays, 7-9pm: Sept 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, (skip Nov 3), Nov 10, 17, in the library of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road, Davis. Contact James Lee Jobe at 530-750-3514. Leave a message and I will call you back. Or email me at clan_of_the_dog@yahoo.com.

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Poet's Lane:

Cynthia Bryant of Poet’s Lane (www.poetslane.com or PoetsLane@comcast.net) writes: Most everyone has a 9/11 poem; I have decided to include them in our Monthly Themed poems for September on Poet’s Lane. So send them my way at PoetsLane@comcast.net, with your picture if you like, any previous publishing information of the poem, and your contact information. The other theme for is School Days, or Work Days or Autumn poems.

If your poems have a Get It Off your Chest feel to them instead, you can send them also to PoetsLane@comcast.net and I will put them up for you.

Looking for publications for poetry? You might want to check out www.poetslane.com on the links page and see what we have listed, or list your own publication so others can know about you.

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Nightfall. Large clouds smother the town.
The street lamps stand, drowsy and sorrowful,
and the yellow moon travels between rain and wind.

A moist odor ascends from the countryside.
A star rises, greenish, by the old spire.
The seven-o'clock stagecoach goes by...Dogs bark...

Coming out on the road, one feels upon his face
the cold moonlight...From the white cemetery,
upon the hill, comes the sobbing of the tall black pines.

—Juan Ramon Jimenez

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LIGHT AND WATER
—Juan Ramon Jimenez

The light above—golden, orange, green—
among the misty clouds.

Oh, trees without leaves,
rooted in water,
branching in the light!—

Below, the water—green, orange, golden—
among the misty vapors.

Among the misty vapors, among the misty clouds,
light and water—what magics!—vanish.

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I am like a distracted child
whom they drag by the hand
through the fiesta of the world.
My eyes cling, sadly,
to things...
And what misery when they tear me away from them!

—Juan Ramon Jimenez

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Don't run, go slowly,
it is only to yourself that you have to go!

Go slowly, don't run,
for the child of yourself, just born
and eternal
cannot follow you.

—Juan Ramon Jimenez

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Watch for Snakebytes, the monthly e-note from Rattlesnake Press, coming today to an e-box near you. If you're not on the mailing list for this monthly update of Snake news, write to me at kathykieth@hotmail.com and I'll put you on it. Track the Snake and his posse on their willy-nilly monthly adventures! Find out who's reading at the next rattle-read! All the latest Snake news and more, more, more!

—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.)