Cnawan Stone, Davis
Photo by Sandra Shannonhouse
SAVING DAVIS, CALIFORNIA
—James Lee Jobe, Davis
The sun was blistering, and Davis, California was sweating
like a pig. Davis, California's shoulders were already red
and I thought I could see the early signs of dehydration.
Davis, California is a big town, or a small city; you pick.
Truckloads of sunblock (SPF 45 or higher) were needed.
Rehydration required every lawn sprinkler and hose in town.
Finally, I got Davis, California into the shade of an old
elm,
covered with a proper shirt, feet elevated, and a tall, cold
glass of ice tea. That is how I saved Davis, California.
____________________
FUNERAL
—James Lee Jobe
We don't look down at a corpse and say,
"You're exaggerating." —Julia Connor
We pack the body with raw herbs and wrap the wet cloth tight, as
if we could imprison Death itself, as if to strap down Death's
stench out of some nameless, ancient fear. The other Simians
ignore us, grunt, and move off through the high trees, their
spores grace the green leaves, they carry their young with them
everywhere.
Well, OK, my father, old J.L. Jobe, would have said it, "You're
exaggerating. Quit your bitchin' and get your ass back to work."
He would've leaned over the corpse threateningly and looked it
right in the eye, his one good hand balled into a hard, Southern
fist. And he would've meant it.
_____________________
—James Lee Jobe, Davis
The sun was blistering, and Davis, California was sweating
like a pig. Davis, California's shoulders were already red
and I thought I could see the early signs of dehydration.
Davis, California is a big town, or a small city; you pick.
Truckloads of sunblock (SPF 45 or higher) were needed.
Rehydration required every lawn sprinkler and hose in town.
Finally, I got Davis, California into the shade of an old
elm,
covered with a proper shirt, feet elevated, and a tall, cold
glass of ice tea. That is how I saved Davis, California.
____________________
FUNERAL
—James Lee Jobe
We don't look down at a corpse and say,
"You're exaggerating." —Julia Connor
We pack the body with raw herbs and wrap the wet cloth tight, as
if we could imprison Death itself, as if to strap down Death's
stench out of some nameless, ancient fear. The other Simians
ignore us, grunt, and move off through the high trees, their
spores grace the green leaves, they carry their young with them
everywhere.
Well, OK, my father, old J.L. Jobe, would have said it, "You're
exaggerating. Quit your bitchin' and get your ass back to work."
He would've leaned over the corpse threateningly and looked it
right in the eye, his one good hand balled into a hard, Southern
fist. And he would've meant it.
_____________________
Thanks, JLJ! For more information about Rattlechapper James Lee Jobe, check out his blog, as well as his page on rattlesnakepress.com (click on the links to the right of this column). And for more fun info on Davis (including mystery pix), check out daviswiki.com!
Mudlarking with Taylor Graham
While you’re ‘Netting, check out the online journal, Mudlark—specifically Mudlark Poster No. 70: Walking with Elihu, which features poems by our SnakePal, resident columnist, and Rattlechapper Taylor Graham. This is not her first appearance on Mudlark; her poems, "Cessna Down," "Last Seen at the ATM," "3/5, the Andes by proxy," and her essay, "The Search and the Poem," appeared as Mudlark Poster No. 1 (1997), inaugurating the Mudlark Poster Series. That’s http://www.unf.edu/mudlark. And while you’re Mudlarking, have a look-see at Susan Kelly-DeWitt’s poems from her new rattlechap, Cassiopeia Above the Banyan Tree. Both poets can also be viewed on their rattlesnakepress.com pages.
In November, Rattlesnake Press will release another chapbook by Taylor Graham, entitled Among Neighbors. (My apologies to the long-suffering TG for listing this title as Neighbors in the latest issue of Rattlesnake Review. @$&^%&%^!!!)
Medusa is back!
Cranky as ever, but firmly back in harness after a week of r&r (that's rock 'n roll). The latest issue of Rattlesnake Review (#15) has gone out to subscribers and contributors; if you didn't get one, and think you should, drop me a line at kathykieth@hotmail.com. There may still be some at The Book Collector; I'll leave some more there on Weds. But if you want one mailed to your home, send me two bux and I'll pop one into the p.o. Next deadline is November 15—sooner than you think!
And keep peeking at SnakeWatch down at Medusa's bottom :-) for on-going/up-coming info about the wily Snake's newest nefarious noodlings. We have lots of goodies planned for October, Sacramento Poetry Month, and for the rest of the year, as well.
______________________
This week in NorCal poetry:
•••Monday (9/24), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Jeff Knorr and David Alpaugh at HQ, 25th & R Sts., Sacramento. Open mic after. Jeff Knorr has authored three collections: Standing Up to the Day (poems), Keeper (poems and essays), and his newest book is entitled The Third Body from Cherry Grove Editions. He is also the author of a widely adopted textbook entitled Mooring Against the Tide: Writing Poetry and Fiction (Prentice Hall). His poetry and essays have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies including Chelsea, Connecticut Review, Red Rock Review, The Journal, and Like Thunder: Poets Respond to Violence in America (University of Iowa, 2002). He is an accomplished hunter and basketball player during pick-up games at the “Y”.
David Alpaugh's essay, "The Professionalization of Poetry", has prompted much spirited debate from poets on-line and off since it appeared in Poets & Writers Magazine. His poetry collection, Counterpoint, won the Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize and was published by Story Line Press in 1994. His poetry, drama, fiction and criticism have appeared in over 100 journals and anthologies, including Exquisite Corpse, The Formalist, Modern Drama, Poetry, Wisconsin Review and Zyzzyva. He has also published three chapbooks: The Edge and Slow Burn for Ozymandias (Coracle Books) and The Greatest Hits of David Alpaugh (Pudding House Publications). His most recent book is Heavy Lifting (Alehouse Press). He was a guest speaker at The Squaw Valley Community of Writers in the summer of 2003 and discussed his essays on "Professionalization" at the Associated Writing Programs convention in Chicago in March 2004. David Alpaugh coordinates and emcees a popular monthly poetry reading series in Crockett and has, for over 20 years, operated Small Poetry Press, a chapbook design and printing company.
•••Tuesday (9/25), 8:30 PM: The second season of Poetry Night at Bistro 33 (PNB33) begins this coming Tuesday evening at the outdoor patio of Bistro 33 (downtown Davis, 226 F St.). Co-hosted by University Writing Program faculty "Dr. Andy" Jones and Brad Henderson, the PNB33 Fall 2007 season kick-off will feature the ultra-talented, dynamic, and romantic Terry Moore. The author of fifteen books of poetry and several spoken word CDs, Terry Moore has earned a significant base of fans in California and beyond. The Sounds of Soul Black Music Awards named him Poet of the Year in 2001 and Best Male Spoken Word Performer in 2005. A twelve-time poetry slam champion, Moore has opened for the Temptations, Maya Angelou, and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire. (For more on Moore, see http://www.terrymoore.info/index.html/., and check out B.L. Kennedy’s interview of him in Issue #13 of Rattlesnake Review.) The show starts at 8:30 PM and is FREE. After the featured poet, plan to stay from 9:30-10:30 PM for the energetic open-mic featuring novice poets, songwriters, and comedians from around the greater Davis/Sacto area. Many poets are currently scheduled to appear at Bistro 33 this fall, including Eve West Bessier, James Ragan, and Sandra Gilbert. Info: Bistro 33 at (530) 756-4556.
•••Thursday (9/20), 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sacramento. Featured readers, with open mic before and after. Info: 916-441-3931.
•••Sat. (9/29), 12-4 PM: Artists Embassy International is proud to present the winners of their 2007 world-wide poetry contest in this Saturday’s Dancing Poetry Festival, in which poetry and dance are combined for an afternoon of beautiful words and beautiful movement. All winning poets have been invited to read at the Festival at the fabulous California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco’s Lincoln Park. For information and advance ticket sales, call 510-235-0361 or email Artists Embassy International at naticaaei@aol.com. For more info, visit www.dancingpoetry.com.
_____________________
THE SOUND OF CHAIRS
—James Lee Jobe
I wake up with a jolt, the clock shines 3 A.M. at me. I lose my
dream of a girl who shaves her head but has a long mustache like
a man; the ends frame her mouth and seem to point south, to
South America. In the dream I kiss her to see if the mustache is
disgusting. It isn't, but it isn't fun either. We are in a
seedy, run-down café somewhere in this strange city I often
visit in dreams, and with the kissing over we stand to leave.
The sound of chairs scraping across the dirty floor is still in
my ears as I bolt upright in bed. It is a lonely sound.
______________________
YOLO: HOW TO LIVE IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY
—James Lee Jobe
Watch the Moon a lot. It slips
through blue-black night
on the gliding wings
of a Swainson's Hawk.
The Moon won't tell you anything,
but somehow just watching Him
swing through his arc is comforting.
Make up your own name for the Moon,
maybe Lenny or Sugar. This is your life
anyway.
This is life in Yolo.
Walk down green Putah Creek
with magpies and crows,
or splashy Cache Creek
with the current singing.
Let the water cool your tired feet.
Let the day flow past you downstream.
Listen to water on limestone rocks.
This is your day
anyway.
Count magpies all day long.
Just do the things
you were already going to do,
but keep an eye out for magpies,
and keep a tally.
Your whole family could do this;
at night, just before bed,
everyone tells how many.
"Goodnight, Son. 14 magpies."
"Goodnight, Dad. 18 magpies."
If enough people do this,
form a league and keep statistics,
like in baseball. This is your smile
anyway.
This is life in Yolo.
Grow your hair very long, wild.
When the South Wind whistles
cool up from the Delta,
your hair will feel free
blowing back. Check
the weather report daily
so you'll know when.
This is your secret joy
anyway.
On election day write magick spells
that protect your own heart. Always
vote for truth or kindness.
Be like a child
when it comes down to Hope.
Burn sage on election day.
The scented smoke
will carry the Truth
to Heaven. This is your government
anyway.
This is life in Yolo.
Spy on the Sun
like you're J. Edgar Hoover
watching the Communists.
Know where to expect Her
to be in the Sky
for all four seasons.
Weave a magick rope
from the reeds at Cache Creek
to lasso the Sun
on cold Winter days.
This is your year
anyway.
And keep track of your dreams.
There are worlds inside you
that only dance out at night.
Each one is a train ride
with the Teeth Mother.
Try to love them all.
This is your dream
anyway.
This is life in Yolo.
This is life in Yolo.
_____________________
—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.) For more info about the Snake Empire, including guidelines for submitting to or obtaining our publications, click on the link to the right of this column: Rattlesnake Press (rattlesnakepress.com).
SnakeWatch: Up-to-the-minute Snake news:
Journals: The latest issue of Rattlesnake Review (#15) is available for free at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sacramento, or send $2 to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. Next deadline is November 15. The two journals for young people, Snakelets and Vyper, are on hiatus; no deadlines this Fall.
September's releases: The Snake returned with a bang on Wednesday, September 12, presenting Susan Kelly-DeWitt's new chapbook about growing up in Hawaii, Cassiopeia Above the Banyan Tree, at The Book Collector. Also available now: a littlesnake broadside from dawn dibartolo (Blush), and a continuation of B.L. Kennedy's Rattlesnake Interview Series (#4—frank andrick).
Coming in October: Rattlesnake Press celebrates Sacramento Poetry Month on Wednesday, Oct. 10 (at The Book Collector, Home of the Snake, 1008 24th St., Sacramento, 7:30 PM) with the release of Spiral, a rattlechap by Kate Wells; Autumn on My Mind, a littlesnake broadside by Mary Field; and #5 in the Rattlesnake Interview Series by B.L. Kennedy, this one featuring Sacramento Poet Laureate Julia Connor. Also released that night will be Conversations, Volume One of the Rattlesnake Interview Anthology Series (a collection of B.L.'s conversations with eleven Sacramento poets)—plus other surprises (and cake!). Be there!