The Fox in Our Yard

Irene Lipshin

ELEGY
—Irene Lipshin, Placerville

Ghosts of soldiers of the last war to end all wars shadow
mourning protestors, chant No more war, no more killing.

They march in step to the elegy of a banging drum,
its somber rhythm resonates—

Who shall overcome? The answer forms in the cadence
of marching feet of the people, standing, walking, running

for the peace, the freedom, the prayers
of Mahatma, Martin, Mother.

(Previously appeared on poetsagainstthewar.org website)

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Thanks, Irene! About herself, Placerville/Red Fox Underground Poet, Photographer and Teacher Irene Lipshin says: In my photography exhibit, "A COURAGE OF WORDS," I have combined my passions of poetry, photography and activism to give voice to the social and political issues of our time. The photographs illustrate ordinary citizens standing up for peace and justice using nonviolent actions and many universally recognized symbols, images and words.

During the turbulent sixties, I witnessed the futility of war, the brutal injustices here and abroad and the ultimate success of nonviolent protest. As a journalism major in college, I focused on the stories of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., the daily news and photographs of war across continents and the struggle for equality and human rights at home. Through my study and observations I began to understand how information through pictures and words could transform a national conscience, inspiring me to document and influence social change through photography and poetry.

This collection of photographs is gathered from my own experiences of travel and activism, and of hope and faith in the human being’s ability to make social and political changes using peaceful conflict resolution. I am a documentary photographer and poet—always ready to capture the real life event or story that moves viewers and readers to examine points of view or beliefs, to ask questions, to look at both sides of issues. I have found that my photos, as well as my poetry, can create space for dialogue, contemplation and awakening.

I’m a member of the Red Fox Underground Poets in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center of Sacramento. My poetry has appeared in many publications, anthologies and websites and includes the Rattlesnake Press chapbook, Shadowlines, and a littlesnake broadside, Territorio Nuevo. I include the fun of poetry and photography in my classes at a local elementary school in Placerville, where I teach reading and coach participants in the annual El Dorado County Oral Interpretation Festival.

The photography exhibit and poetry reading, "A COURAGE OF WORDS," are sponsored by the El Dorado Peace and Justice Community in “The Season for Nonviolence”. It will be held this coming Saturday, March 17, at the Cozmic Cafe, 594 Main St., Placerville, 530-642-8481. There will be a reception from 5:30-7 PM, followed by a poetry reading featuring all six members of Red Fox Underground at 7 PM, followed by refreshments. Irene's photos will be on display through March.

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Poetry tonight:

•••Tuesday (3/13), 7 PM, 126 Voorhies Hall on the UC Davis campus: UCD presents María Meléndez. See yesterday's post for a bio of this fine poet.


And tomorrow:

•••Wednesday (3/14), 7:30 PM: March's rattlechap release from Rattlesnake Press will be Skin Stretched Around the Hollow by ex-Sacramentan-turned-Portlander Steve Williams at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Rumor has it that there will be some other Oregonians present, as well. Refreshments and a read-around will follow; bring your own poems or somebody else’s. Also released that night will be Ultrasound, a littlesnake broadside by Brad Buchanan, and the latest issue of Rattlesnake Review (Lucky 13!). Maybe. If I get it done; the jury's still out on that...


And beyond:

June 8-10, 2007, Ellen Bass will lead a workshop on The Writing Life at Esalen. She writes: This weekend will allow us to leave the rush of our busy lives and be still enough to hear the stories and poems that gestate within us. We'll write, share our writing, and hear what our work touches in others. We'll help each other to become clearer, go deeper, take new risks. With the safety, support, and inspiration of this gathering, you will have the opportunity to create writing that is more vivid, more true, more complex and powerful than you've been able to do before. Whether you are interested in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, or journal writing, this workshop will provide a time to immerse yourself in the writing life. Both beginners and experienced writers are welcome. Esalen fees cover tuition, food and lodging and vary according to accommodations—ranging from $320 to $605. The sleeping bag space is an incredible bargain. Some work-scholarship assistance is available, as well as small prepayment discounts and senior discounts. All arrangements and registration must be made directly with Esalen, but if you have questions about the content of the workshop, feel free to email me or call me at 831-426-8006. Please register directly with Esalen at 831-667-3005 or at www.esalen.org

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BUGLE CALL
—Irene Lipshin

Through mountain passes and static
airwaves the car radio drops the numbers
and words of body counts and names of the dead.

Thirteen marines killed
from what battalion, in what province,
while brother fights brother.

A disembodied voice urges Congress to spend
another five billion, expend 20,000 more troops
for a middle-east surge, the only hope, he pleads.

It’s all classical, the news ends, the music begins—
Wynton Marsalis plays J. Michael Haydn’s
Trumpet Concerto in D—

taps for the marines,
taps for mothers and fathers,
taps for war.

(Previously published in El Dorado Peace and Justice Community Newsletter January 2007)

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GANDHI’S CHILDREN
—Irene Lipshin

If we are to reach real peace in this world
we shall have to begin with the children. —Gandhi

Opening the morning news, I stare
into the face of a mother cradling a child,
blank saucers gazing at her house of rubble.
Who should she trust in this quest
of men against men and war of gods?
Words on the page written in blood
scrawls revive our terror colored by alerts
and warnings of anything that moves.

Yet, when we discover
the fox in our yard, intruder of our space,
we do not banish her, do not shoot to kill,
do not fight over boundary lines, last breath
going down. She is merely passing through,
touching the soil with wings we know, wings
that will fly us to the same heaven—foxes,
Iraqis, Americans all in the same grave,

mothers leaning over to cover children
with the same good-bye.

(Previously appeared on the poetsagainstthewar.org and voicesinwartime.org websites, as well as in the chapbook, Shadowlines, published by Rattlesnake Press, 2006.)

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—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.)