Lola drawing by Sam the Snake Man KiethHappy Valentine, Lola, dear —
tender nothings for your dainty ear —
cherry-sweet kisses for your snaky lips
and sapphire belts for your slender hips —
chocolate and brandy and sweet love songs
to keep you purring all night long.
You're one hot mama, Lola, my pet
wishing you the best Valentine yet!
—Katy Brown, Davis
_______________________
Thanks, Katy! Valentine's Day was indeed excellent for the Snake family, given that we had a reading with good friends and good poetry. Drop in to The Book Collector and pick up a copy of littlesnake broadside #31, rattlechap #31, and the new Snakelets #9.
The poetry continues:
•••Today (2/15) is the deadline for Rattlesnake Review (Lucky #13!); send 3-5 poems plus art and/or photos to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. No bio/cover/simul-subs or previously-pubbed, please.
•••Today (2/15) and Friday (2/16): Garrison Keillor is going to read "Chicken Killing" on "The Writer's Almanac" Feb. 15th and "My Methodist Grandmother Says" on "The Writer's Almanac" Feb. 16th. The poems, which are both from Mary Mackey's new collection, Breaking the Fever, are also going to be available on the American Public Radio website and in podcast. In the Bay Area the show will be playing at 9 AM on KALW (91.7 FM). If you like, you can hear them as early as Monday, Feb. 13, by checking out their website at Writer's Almanac web site. You can also get the schedule for other parts of the country since different stations play The Writer's Almanac at different times.
•••Tonight, head on over to Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sac., 8 PM, and see what's up with Poetry Unplugged, including open mic before and after.
WINTER'S FINEST
—Elizabeth Parrish, Stockton
Fishing vessels
Are dusted with snow
The harbor shows traces of ice
Pilings on the pier
Are laden with candles
Pine trees carry
Heavy cream
Houses huddle in the chill
Docks shrug
With the tide
All appears tranquil,
Smoke emanates from chimneys
Winter wears its finest pearls
Seagulls scour the beach
And the sun rises slowly.
______________________________
BIRDS IN WINTER
—Elizabeth Parrish, Stockton
Two elegant egrets
Skirt the pond
With its thin layer of ice
Like frozen sculptures
Pausing for a catch
They peck at the layer,
Wading with hip boots
While the last
Of the creamy cherry blossoms
Fall like confetti.
It's too cold for spring,
Yet daffodils
Add golden cups of sunlight
To the frost,
Impervious to the chill.
Then the egret squawks,
Skimming across the pond,
Beckoning the spring
Jewels to open,
While I perch
On the iron rail,
Like a flightless bird
Wishing to dive into
The depths of summer.
___________________________
—Elizabeth Parrish, Stockton
Fishing vessels
Are dusted with snow
The harbor shows traces of ice
Pilings on the pier
Are laden with candles
Pine trees carry
Heavy cream
Houses huddle in the chill
Docks shrug
With the tide
All appears tranquil,
Smoke emanates from chimneys
Winter wears its finest pearls
Seagulls scour the beach
And the sun rises slowly.
______________________________
BIRDS IN WINTER
—Elizabeth Parrish, Stockton
Two elegant egrets
Skirt the pond
With its thin layer of ice
Like frozen sculptures
Pausing for a catch
They peck at the layer,
Wading with hip boots
While the last
Of the creamy cherry blossoms
Fall like confetti.
It's too cold for spring,
Yet daffodils
Add golden cups of sunlight
To the frost,
Impervious to the chill.
Then the egret squawks,
Skimming across the pond,
Beckoning the spring
Jewels to open,
While I perch
On the iron rail,
Like a flightless bird
Wishing to dive into
The depths of summer.
___________________________
Thanks, Elizabeth!
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their POETRY, PHOTOS and ART, as well as announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com (or snail ‘em to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726) 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.)
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their POETRY, PHOTOS and ART, as well as announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com (or snail ‘em to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726) 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.)