WHAT'S WITH THE DANCE GUYS?
—Michelle Kunert, Sacramento
Any man with a trade brings along his tools
whether maintenance or professional
or protective gear if they are police or firemen
But these guys who strut into local dances
they act like this is a 1950's cowtown
with nothing else but tight T-shirts, boots, and jeans
Maybe it's too manly for them to carry supplies,
if you know what I mean.
They come prospecting, but not for romances
Flirting with and flattering for
drinks or their supper
and not just to service the girls
An Octoberfest polka party surprise
is "Dr Fritz", a history professor with a Ph.D.
He brags he knows about waltzing
as well as all about Germany and Russia
But making his rounds with no kit bag
he must've flunked science and biology
acting unaware of the dangerous world out there
if he continues unprepared
(my kiss on his cheek meant I really cared!)
I pray to God he does not take house calls
or end up as a tragic emergency
________________________
Thanks, Michelle! Another NorCal Poet, David Humphreys, has tackled a villanelle. He says he was inspired to tackle a poem in this form by Taylor Graham's recent radio interview, in which she talks about and reads same:
TRILLIONAIRE
—David Humphreys, Stockton
Who will be first to cross this line,
entering a country that has never been seen
passing from billions to something divine,
place where mere mortals might not shine
as glowing or radiant glitter and sheen,
who will be first to cross this line?
Who will drink the champagne wine
and celebrate that which has never been seen
passing from billions to something divine?
Will they consider society’s line
a bequest to share with hungry and lean,
who will be first to cross this line?
Will responsibility be reward as fine
a treasure to him whose crown so clean
passes from billions to something divine?
Will he contribute his good golden mine
to honor and accolades and special bright glean,
who will be first to cross this line
passing from billions to almost divine?
________________________
Thanks, David! It's always good to stretch your poetic muscles a bit...
Correx!
I've been saying that the Ted Kooser reading tonight at UC Davis (Wyatt Pavillion Theater, 6:30 PM, free) was to be on Thursday, Oct. 25. This is clearly the wrong date; sorry for any confusion. Today is Oct. 26.
Also tonight:
Thursday (10/26), 7-9:30 PM: Colored Horse Studio, 780 Waugh Lane, Ukiah features Theresa Whitehill in its Writers Read series. An open mic session will follow the featured reading. Refreshments available. Donation requested. For more info: 707-275-9010 or 707-463-6989. This event is sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, and by Tenacity Press and Colored Horse Studio.
•••Or from 8-11 PM: Vibe Sessions presents Kevin Sandbloom at Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton Blvd. (next to Colonial Theater), Sac. $5, hosted by Flo-Real. Open Mic for comedians, singers, poets.
•••Or at 8 PM, featured Poets Art Beck and Mary Mackey plus open mic. Hosted by B.L. Kennedy. Luna’s, 1414 16th St., Sacramento.
Speaking of B.L. Kennedy, he writes:
You can now put the word out that as of Friday, October 27, The Crest Theatre will be selling advance tickets for the movie, I Began To Speak. They are priced at $10 and can be reserved by calling the office at the Crest (916) 442-5189 or emailing sid at sid@thecrest.com or just going down to the theatre. The seating is limited to 180, so pass the word.
Cranky Literary Journal is accepting submissions for Issue 8:
They tell us: Utne Magazine called it "replete with refreshing verbal imagery and thoughtful purpose." We are currently reading submissions for Issue 8, scheduled to debut in January 2007, and we urge you to send us your previously unpublished poetry or short fiction. You know, the stuff that happens to be witty, experimental, shrewd, rigorous, startling, stunning, slick, or at the very least, gorgeous. If you make the grade, you'll be sharing the pages with an interview by Cat Jones with the poet Sabrina Orah Mark, as well as a conversation between John Olson and the novelist Norman Lock. As usual, all topics and lengths are welcomed, but shorter tends to be sweeter, and while we promise to read your guilelessly romantic, explicitly sexual, or alarmingly rhyming holiday-themed pieces, we're not likely to publish them. Visit our spanking-new website at www.crankymag.org/submissions.html for submission guidelines and to get acquainted by browsing back issues. Or subscribe at http://www.crankymag.org/subscribe.html. (And watch for news of our chapbook contest; we' ll be announcing it in the next few weeks.)
_______________________
I KNOW A MAN
—Robert Creeley
As I sd to my
friend, because I am
always talking,—John, I
sd, which was not his
name, the darkness sur-
rounds us, what
can we do against
it, or else, shall we &
why not, buy a goddamn big car,
drive, he sd, for
christ's sake, look
out where yr going.
_______________________
—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.)