David Humphreys, Stockton
BLIZZARD
—David Humphreys
It comes down in heavy feathers
to a deep cushioned room,
floating to a thick quilted womb
light flakes chilly on ice face and hands
piling up powder for a skier's dreams.
You know exploding trees of eastern ice
in sunshine warm blue mornings but
this close knit blanket wraps you sleeping.
_______________________
Today's featured poet is David Humphreys, who sends us another snow poem. Thanks, David! Not all publishers allow/make time for their own poetry, but David remains diligent about his, and is a regular contributor to the Snake and to Medusa. And we appreciate it.
I asked DH for a bio, and he said to refer you to poetscornerpress.com for info about him and his busy publishing enterprise. In fact, Medusa has a link to his site; just click on it over there at the right of this column.
Readings this weekend:
•••Tonight (Sat., 2/24), 3 PM: The Central California Art Association & Mistlin Art Gallery announce a poetry reading at the gallery, 1015 J St., downtown Modesto. This earlier start time is to accommodate the many readers scheduled to read in celebration of the "Gathering of Voices", an ongoing poetry series, by Tina Arnopole Driskill, which appears each month in Stanislaus Connections. A donation to the gallery is strongly encouraged. A "pot luck" reception will follow at 5 PM. The public is welcome.
•••Also tonight, 9 PM: "The Show" Poetry Series at Wo'se Community Center, 2863 35th St., Sac. (off 35th & Broadway). $5. Info: 916-455-POET.
•••Monday (2/26), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center will feature Julia Levine and Kate Northrop at HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. Free; open mic.
_______________________
THIS AND ANOTHER THING AS WELL
—David Humphreys
This and another thing
are notes fluid in a sudden
flock and feather dip and
swerve, trills and ripples
shimmering, hearts beating a
loud history down all the ages.
Peace is found in the ember
lit smoke of dragon ship fires,
sonata wind in bending grass.
Out in the world, fallen soldiers
fill the flower fields, catacomb
bones from a truly great explosion.
Rosin on cello bow, reed in oiled
woodwind, the world whirls in
galaxy tempest. The world sighs
in sifting sand, whispers a nuzzling
fur of comfort and affirmation.
Courage bristles a scimitar thorn.
Ash billows. Thunder rumbles,
kettle drums and cymbals crash.
_______________________
MY SON'S BIRTHDAY
—David Humphreys
Remembering such a time of pride and joy.
Look at him now tall and fine taking you
straight back in a bright lightning to your
own wedding day waltz with your new bride;
one two three, one two three, swung round
and round. A traffic torrent rushes sizzles
in the rain soaked street outside. Rosin on cello
bow, reed in oiled woodwind, the world whirls
in galaxy tempest. The world sighs in sifting sand,
whispers a nuzzling fur of comfort and affirmation.
Courage bristles a scimitar thorn. Ash billows.
Thunder rumbles kettle drums and cymbals crash.
And if he is suddenly taken away as he might so easily
be by some hit and run or soldier's finishing truth of
honor I will fold up these wings and become my next
dark shadow, tunnel digger mole of retribution. I will
rain rage upon mine enemies, beware.
______________________
—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.)
—David Humphreys
It comes down in heavy feathers
to a deep cushioned room,
floating to a thick quilted womb
light flakes chilly on ice face and hands
piling up powder for a skier's dreams.
You know exploding trees of eastern ice
in sunshine warm blue mornings but
this close knit blanket wraps you sleeping.
_______________________
Today's featured poet is David Humphreys, who sends us another snow poem. Thanks, David! Not all publishers allow/make time for their own poetry, but David remains diligent about his, and is a regular contributor to the Snake and to Medusa. And we appreciate it.
I asked DH for a bio, and he said to refer you to poetscornerpress.com for info about him and his busy publishing enterprise. In fact, Medusa has a link to his site; just click on it over there at the right of this column.
Readings this weekend:
•••Tonight (Sat., 2/24), 3 PM: The Central California Art Association & Mistlin Art Gallery announce a poetry reading at the gallery, 1015 J St., downtown Modesto. This earlier start time is to accommodate the many readers scheduled to read in celebration of the "Gathering of Voices", an ongoing poetry series, by Tina Arnopole Driskill, which appears each month in Stanislaus Connections. A donation to the gallery is strongly encouraged. A "pot luck" reception will follow at 5 PM. The public is welcome.
•••Also tonight, 9 PM: "The Show" Poetry Series at Wo'se Community Center, 2863 35th St., Sac. (off 35th & Broadway). $5. Info: 916-455-POET.
•••Monday (2/26), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center will feature Julia Levine and Kate Northrop at HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. Free; open mic.
_______________________
THIS AND ANOTHER THING AS WELL
—David Humphreys
This and another thing
are notes fluid in a sudden
flock and feather dip and
swerve, trills and ripples
shimmering, hearts beating a
loud history down all the ages.
Peace is found in the ember
lit smoke of dragon ship fires,
sonata wind in bending grass.
Out in the world, fallen soldiers
fill the flower fields, catacomb
bones from a truly great explosion.
Rosin on cello bow, reed in oiled
woodwind, the world whirls in
galaxy tempest. The world sighs
in sifting sand, whispers a nuzzling
fur of comfort and affirmation.
Courage bristles a scimitar thorn.
Ash billows. Thunder rumbles,
kettle drums and cymbals crash.
_______________________
MY SON'S BIRTHDAY
—David Humphreys
Remembering such a time of pride and joy.
Look at him now tall and fine taking you
straight back in a bright lightning to your
own wedding day waltz with your new bride;
one two three, one two three, swung round
and round. A traffic torrent rushes sizzles
in the rain soaked street outside. Rosin on cello
bow, reed in oiled woodwind, the world whirls
in galaxy tempest. The world sighs in sifting sand,
whispers a nuzzling fur of comfort and affirmation.
Courage bristles a scimitar thorn. Ash billows.
Thunder rumbles kettle drums and cymbals crash.
And if he is suddenly taken away as he might so easily
be by some hit and run or soldier's finishing truth of
honor I will fold up these wings and become my next
dark shadow, tunnel digger mole of retribution. I will
rain rage upon mine enemies, beware.
______________________
—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.)
