SPLEEN
—Ernest Dowson
I was not sorrowful, I could not weep,
And all my memories were put to sleep.
I watched the river grow more white and strange,
All day till evening I watched it change.
All day till evening I watched the rain
Beat wearily upon the window pane.
I was not sorrowful, but only tired
Of everything that ever I desired.
Her lips, her eyes, all day became to me
The shadow of a shadow utterly.
All day mine hunger for her heart became
Oblivion, until the evening came,
And left me sorrowful, inclined to weep,
With all my memories that could not sleep.
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•••Tonight (Weds., 10/11), 7:30 PM: Rattlesnake Press presents Sharyn Stever at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac., celebrating the release of her new chapbook, Heron’s Run. Sharyn Stever was born in Lodi, California and grew up roaming the riverbanks and wetlands of the Central Valley. She lives in the small farming community of Dixon and teaches writing and literature at Solano Community College. Also emerging that night will be Mysterious Rebus, littlesnake broadside #28 from Sacramento Poet and SPC Board Member Tim Kahl. Come hear Tim read a poem or two from his latest creation. Refreshments and a read-around will follow Sharyn and Tim's readings; bring your own poems or somebody else's. (More info: kathykieth@hotmail.com)
•••Also tonight, 10-midnight: Mahogany Poets presents Mics and Moods at Capitol Garage, 1500 K St., Sac. Features and Open Mic; 21 and older. $5. Info: 916-492-9336 or www.malikspeaks.com.
Food sex:
This Sunday (10/15), 7-9 PM: Get Lit @ CAV in San Francisco presents SexyFood, an evening of genre-bending fun for cunning linguists. Celebrate acclaimed wordsmiths as they unleash their vibrant sexy side, as they deftly seduce a room full of people with food as their weapon of choice. Mingle and sip exotic wines from Cav’s excellent, sophisticated cellar. Featuring: Christie Nelson, Kit Kennedy, Roxi Power Hamilton, Warren Longmire, Christine Rosakranse and surprise readings. No-host bar and light appetizer menu. CAV Wine Bar, 1666 Market St. (next to Zuni Café) at Franklin & Gough, San Francisco. Info: 415.437.1770 or www.cavwinebar.com. Email questions, ideas, writing submissions for future shows, etc: sexyfood@gmail.com
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UNTITLED
—Archilochus
There's nothing now
We can't expect to happen!
Anything at all, you can bet,
Is ready to jump out at us.
No need to wonder over it.
Father Zeus has turned
Noon to night, blotting out
The sunshine utterly,
Putting cold terror
At the back of the throat.
Let's believe all we hear.
Even that dolphins and cows
Change places, porpoises and goats,
Rams booming along in the offing,
Mackerel nibbling in the hill pastures.
I wouldn't be surprised,
I wouldn't be surprised.
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—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, 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.)