Bamboo Dreams

Photo by D.R. Wagner, Elk Grove

GARDEN RESURRECTION
—Don Feliz, Sacramento

Walking out after April rain
I take a new path past beds
of yellow and red tulps,
you liked to call them,
to show how different you were:

interested in everything:
every person, every time,
a renaissance woman, poet,
activist, leader, friend to anyone
who needed you.

I discover new yards of
purple pansies, exploding azaleas,
white clouds of laurustinus blossoms,
scarlet photinia leaves, redbud
and dogwood trees showing off.

I’ll take your spirit to Holland
on May Day to see fields of tulps…

_____________________

BAMBOO DREAMS

and sunset beaches, sea-scented
winds.
Waves in motion, splash cliffs in
rhythm.
Skies meet the oceans, ripples of
the seas separate the two.
Sands that glisten white and gold
move with currents.
Motions of our earth’s emotions,
and bamboo dreams.

—Olga Blu Browne, Sacramento

_____________________

MAMA’S LOOKING GLASS
—Olga Blu Browne

Looking glass, looking glass past or presnt
which will it be.
Ghosts of my past, or tell of the future. Who
is it I see?
Is that mama or me? Gray hair and wrinkles,
who can that be?
Is it yesterday, or my today? Looking glass
looking glass, look away.

_____________________

VANISHED
—Olga Blu Browne

Vanishing history, wrapped in the arms of
memory’s shadows.
Breath escapes like someone lost or once
loved.
Ghosts are the only reflection in time,
hidden in the mirror.
Essence of ebony, night lingers here.

_____________________

THE WHITE GLOVE
—Carl Bernard Schwartz, Sacramento

There it was slapping at my face
I clearly saw and felt its wrath
A challenge had been made
Sealed with a dare

It is all about honor
I must defend my family name
Bowing out is not an option
Stones, blades, guts, honor

I cut into your tough side
You just laugh at me
It is my blood spilling
Not yours

Higher, higher I reach and cut,
Reach, cut, reach, cut
Until I lose my footing
You laugh at me again

Arisen and refreshed I return
determined this time to finish
Defeat you utterly
Completely

You have all the time
To stymie my efforts
Endless hours
To outlast me

It’s not over between us
Victory will be mine
You cannot hide from me
Indefinitely

The changing seasons
Melted the white glove away
Leaving a frightened, naked
mountain.

_____________________ 

Today's LittleNip: 

Tule fog rampant
no edge between sky and ground
life limbo lingers

—Michael Cluff, Highland, CA

_____________________ 

—Medusa

Some of the merry-makers at last Thursday's reading at 

Luna's Cafe, including Crystal Lee-Fernandez, Josh Fernandez, 

Annie Menebroker, Bill Gainer, and Giuliana Vita-Gabrielli.
Josh, Annie and Bill read to celebrate the release of
Josh's new book from R.L. Crow Press.

—Photo by Sandy Thomas, Sacramento