Ocean West Drive (Silkscreen, 1974)
—Poems by B.Z. Niditch, Brookline, MA
—Artwork by Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011)
PLYMOUTH
Amid the rocks
and sand on the beach
the trees reached out
after the storm hid me
in the Mayflower
breeze
glowing in the
sun shower.
Blue Atmosphere, 1963
ROCKPORT
This time against
the water and ibis
from Pigeon Cove
to the harbor of waters
flowing out of the mouth
of breezes blowing off the shore
paths of knowing the intense
love of nature.
Mountains and Sea, 1962
HELEN FRANKENTHALER
At the paintings
Jacob's Ladder
and Mountains
and the Sea
the surging ocean
in the rudder’s tides
you navigate
your oils
in painted spirals
from whirlpools of motion.
Jacob's Ladder, 1957
LOCKED IN CABIN FEVER
(JOHN CLARE)
Locked in cabin fever
becoming a believer
first in sorrow and sadness
then in tomorrow's madness
then in despair
was I upon my bed
John Clare
lived in dread.
Cloud Burst, 2002
SIMONE WEIL
I feel your
long suffering
in a pure soul
that sought for justice
as a fearless cloud
being assured
another will take
your hand.
The Human Edge, 1967
NEWS
Access
to the process
of deciphering news
with banner headlines
behind unmasking
deadlines
asking for a manner
of what you choose
to believe the press
by asking questions
demanding answers
the public will still
in private lose in views
to testify with intelligence
as they spy to impress
and we the public
confess to a chance crisis
of surveillance only to guess.
_____________________
Today’s LittleNip:
WHEN
—B.Z. Niditch
When there are
war clouds in the air
pray for peace
do not despair
be aware of life
not of strife
your mind's thoughts
are beyond compare.
____________________
Many thanks to B.Z. Niditch for his fine poems today!
National Poetry Month continues throughout April; frank andrick sent a link to Tweetspeak and its poetry coloring book for National Poetry Month: www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2016/03/24/de-stress-way-national-poetry-month-new-coloring-page-poems-coloring-book/. Tweetspeak is a fun site for poets, including poetry prompts, poem-a-day, and lots of articles. Check it out at www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/.
—Medusa
—Anonymous Photo
Celebrate poetry tonight at Poetry Unplugged at
Luna’s Cafe, 8pm, featuring Josh Hernandez and
Ian Kappos plus open mic;
Luna’s Cafe, 8pm, featuring Josh Hernandez and
Ian Kappos plus open mic;
or harness up the filly and head over to
Winters for
Winters Out Loud (open mic), 15 Main St.,
Berryessa Gap,
Winters, 7pm. Scroll down to
the blue column (under the green column at
the right) for info
about these and other upcoming poetry events in our
area—
and note that more may be added at the last minute.
Photos in this column can be enlarged by clicking on them once,
then click on the X in the top right corner to come back
to Medusa.
