—Poetry by Joseph Nolan, Michael Ceraolo,
Caschwa (Carl Bernard Schwartz)
—Public Domain Photos Courtesy of Joseph Nolan, Stockton, CA
THE RULE OF THE DRAGYN QUEEN
—Joseph Nolan
Somewhere, deep in scarlet,
Ruled a Dragyn Princess,
Soon, to become,
Queen!
The countryside
Was all a-buzz
To wonder
What it’d mean?
For the strongest
Female presence
To rule over the land,
With overflights
And fire-bright,
In skies,
Above all
She’d command?
Severe, could be
Her wrath,
Against those who’d
Take advantage
Against the weak
They found along
The path
Of their fragile
Suffering;
And thus she’d bring
Her dragyn wings,
To summon her to flight,
To soar above
Her underlings,
Beneath her,
To give fright
To all the cruel and wicked
Who boarded
In her land,
To warn them
To be fair and kind,
Lest her Dragyn’s fire
Should burn
Their eyes, out, blind!
—Joseph Nolan
Somewhere, deep in scarlet,
Ruled a Dragyn Princess,
Soon, to become,
Queen!
The countryside
Was all a-buzz
To wonder
What it’d mean?
For the strongest
Female presence
To rule over the land,
With overflights
And fire-bright,
In skies,
Above all
She’d command?
Severe, could be
Her wrath,
Against those who’d
Take advantage
Against the weak
They found along
The path
Of their fragile
Suffering;
And thus she’d bring
Her dragyn wings,
To summon her to flight,
To soar above
Her underlings,
Beneath her,
To give fright
To all the cruel and wicked
Who boarded
In her land,
To warn them
To be fair and kind,
Lest her Dragyn’s fire
Should burn
Their eyes, out, blind!
TORTILLAS, HASTA BOSSA NOVA
—Joseph Nolan
I like my tortillas
Un poquito sour,
Ahora.
El maize,
Debe ser,
Un poquito sour,
Ahora, mismo.
Harmony
Abandoned me
Seven Aprils ago,
When she had to leave,
When she had to go.
Aprils have been known
To leave lovers alone,
When blossoms bloom
On over-fragrant trees,
Overpowering, as though
Your nose were pressed
Into bouquets of flowers
And men bend to their knees,
Begging their old lovers
Not to go!
But time, comes Spring!
For lovers to be wandering,
Because the air is sweet,
Because another lover
Is there for them, to meet.
So, they step into the street
And walk away.
Watch them from behind!
The rhythm of a Bossa Nova,
Dancing off, to meet!
—Joseph Nolan
I like my tortillas
Un poquito sour,
Ahora.
El maize,
Debe ser,
Un poquito sour,
Ahora, mismo.
Harmony
Abandoned me
Seven Aprils ago,
When she had to leave,
When she had to go.
Aprils have been known
To leave lovers alone,
When blossoms bloom
On over-fragrant trees,
Overpowering, as though
Your nose were pressed
Into bouquets of flowers
And men bend to their knees,
Begging their old lovers
Not to go!
But time, comes Spring!
For lovers to be wandering,
Because the air is sweet,
Because another lover
Is there for them, to meet.
So, they step into the street
And walk away.
Watch them from behind!
The rhythm of a Bossa Nova,
Dancing off, to meet!
LOVE-DREAMS AND WAKING
—Joseph Nolan
We,
Who long for love,
But find it
Just in dreams,
Know the way
That waking breaks
The better-way
Things seemed,
When love
Could touch
In bright,
Broad smiles,
We danced into the light,
But, oh!
The pain of waking,
Since our dreams
Were out of sight,
When we went sadly
Back to living,
In worldly shadows,
Far from love, soft, bright
And wondered how
We might ever
Get together
‘Neath the
Moon’s sweet night?
—Joseph Nolan
We,
Who long for love,
But find it
Just in dreams,
Know the way
That waking breaks
The better-way
Things seemed,
When love
Could touch
In bright,
Broad smiles,
We danced into the light,
But, oh!
The pain of waking,
Since our dreams
Were out of sight,
When we went sadly
Back to living,
In worldly shadows,
Far from love, soft, bright
And wondered how
We might ever
Get together
‘Neath the
Moon’s sweet night?
YOUR PAPERS, PLEASE?
—Joseph Nolan
A snake has wrapped its flank
Around your rising, breathing chest.
When your chest no longer rises,
It will mean your death.
Its weight
Is in place.
It only needs a signal
To sing, “Amazing Grace!”
Health Passports,
Coming soon,
To segregate the willing
From those
Who know the spoon
Is full of poison,
And claim their freedom,
From demands,
Aboard trains,
When you board
At noon,
“Vos papieren, bitte?”
—Joseph Nolan
A snake has wrapped its flank
Around your rising, breathing chest.
When your chest no longer rises,
It will mean your death.
Its weight
Is in place.
It only needs a signal
To sing, “Amazing Grace!”
Health Passports,
Coming soon,
To segregate the willing
From those
Who know the spoon
Is full of poison,
And claim their freedom,
From demands,
Aboard trains,
When you board
At noon,
“Vos papieren, bitte?”
TWO POEMS FROM DUGOUT ANTHOLOGY
A collection of poems about baseball
by Michael Ceraolo, S. Euclid, OH
Maud Nelson
I don't want to debate Rube Foster
as to who had the toughest row to hoe in baseball;
that discussion leads nowhere
Now, as to recognition:
I accomplished just about everything he did
in the sport and business of baseball,
yet he's in the Baseball Hall of Fame
and has had several books written about him,
neither of which is true for me
* * *
Helen Callaghan
Fathers playing catch with sons? Sure
But what about mothers playing catch with sons?
Or anybody playing catch with daughters?
Obviously, somebody played catch with us
or we wouldn't have become ballplayers
And where well over a hundred fathers
have had sons who also became major-league ballplayers,
I am the only mother who had a son
who also became a major-league ballplayer
And since, as of today, there is no league
where women can play baseball,
I will, sadly, have that distinction
for the foreseeable future
A collection of poems about baseball
by Michael Ceraolo, S. Euclid, OH
Maud Nelson
I don't want to debate Rube Foster
as to who had the toughest row to hoe in baseball;
that discussion leads nowhere
Now, as to recognition:
I accomplished just about everything he did
in the sport and business of baseball,
yet he's in the Baseball Hall of Fame
and has had several books written about him,
neither of which is true for me
* * *
Helen Callaghan
Fathers playing catch with sons? Sure
But what about mothers playing catch with sons?
Or anybody playing catch with daughters?
Obviously, somebody played catch with us
or we wouldn't have become ballplayers
And where well over a hundred fathers
have had sons who also became major-league ballplayers,
I am the only mother who had a son
who also became a major-league ballplayer
And since, as of today, there is no league
where women can play baseball,
I will, sadly, have that distinction
for the foreseeable future
THE JOKE IS ON US
—Caschwa, Sacramento, CA
the Thursday paper’s
7-day forecast for the
Valley shows Monday as
“Warmer with showers
possible”
and then Tuesday as
“Chance for a couple
of showers”
of course they don’t have
the cards in their hand to
confidently share what the
odds of rainfall really are…
so they make liberal use
of the Joker card to
tease us with the chance
or possibility of rain
in another 2 or 3 days
they may pull that Joker
card back and just harp
on how hot it will be
—Caschwa, Sacramento, CA
the Thursday paper’s
7-day forecast for the
Valley shows Monday as
“Warmer with showers
possible”
and then Tuesday as
“Chance for a couple
of showers”
of course they don’t have
the cards in their hand to
confidently share what the
odds of rainfall really are…
so they make liberal use
of the Joker card to
tease us with the chance
or possibility of rain
in another 2 or 3 days
they may pull that Joker
card back and just harp
on how hot it will be
Raindrops on Car Hood
I CAN RANT WITH THE REST
—Caschwa
Each day we see a clearer picture
of America's justice system, and
its deeply rooted intentions to
manage and staff our law
enforcement agencies
with petty dictators,
wholly immersed
in seeking
complete
power
and control, showing little or no concern
for the needs or rights of the people.
The police slogan "To Protect and
Serve" has become just
shorthand for
"To protect
white,
landed aristocracy from people
of color, and serve the
exclusive interests
of the white
people".
The consequence is that
America is looking
more and more
like the
evil
and corrupt governments our
ancestors fled before risking
their lives to move their
families here, the
supposed land
of the
free
—Caschwa
Each day we see a clearer picture
of America's justice system, and
its deeply rooted intentions to
manage and staff our law
enforcement agencies
with petty dictators,
wholly immersed
in seeking
complete
power
and control, showing little or no concern
for the needs or rights of the people.
The police slogan "To Protect and
Serve" has become just
shorthand for
"To protect
white,
landed aristocracy from people
of color, and serve the
exclusive interests
of the white
people".
The consequence is that
America is looking
more and more
like the
evil
and corrupt governments our
ancestors fled before risking
their lives to move their
families here, the
supposed land
of the
free
PART OF CLIMATE CHANGE
—Caschwa
“Help, I’ve fallen and
I can’t get up!” said the tree
on the forest floor
no one heard the tree
no one got the message through
that tree remained there
home to insects, and
rodents, and bacteria
rotting away….gone
no memorial
no documentary show
we just carry on
like it was water
under the bridge, forgotten
who cares, anyway?
a flora Buddha
challenges us to notice
such changes sooner…..
—Caschwa
“Help, I’ve fallen and
I can’t get up!” said the tree
on the forest floor
no one heard the tree
no one got the message through
that tree remained there
home to insects, and
rodents, and bacteria
rotting away….gone
no memorial
no documentary show
we just carry on
like it was water
under the bridge, forgotten
who cares, anyway?
a flora Buddha
challenges us to notice
such changes sooner…..
Owl
RETIRED
—Caschwa
calendar open
OK to sleep in
coffee, coffee, coffee
weeds with flowers
no billable hours
iced tea, iced tea, iced tea
up all night
out of sight
decaf, decaf, decaf
creating poetry
not all would agree
coffee, coffee, coffee
—Caschwa
calendar open
OK to sleep in
coffee, coffee, coffee
weeds with flowers
no billable hours
iced tea, iced tea, iced tea
up all night
out of sight
decaf, decaf, decaf
creating poetry
not all would agree
coffee, coffee, coffee
Today’s LittleNip:
LOADED QUESTION
—Caschwa
(after Michelle Kunert’s reference
to burros, Medusa’s Kitchen,
April 19, 2021)
My I borrow your burro to take to the
borough to burrow through bureaus?
_____________________
Welcome to another week of fine poetry food in the Kitchen, this one closing off the month of April, which is the annual Poetry Month. Our thanks to today’s contributors for starting the week off right for us!
Tonight, 7:30pm, Sac. Poetry Center’s Socially Distant Verse presents Spoken Not Slurred, an online poetry showcase featuring Russell Cummings, Alexandra Huynh, Dyvacat, Anna Fenerty, Sho ’Nuff, Heather Rogue, Iso the Poet, Patrice Hill, and special guest Rebecca Blanton. Zoom: us02web.zoom.us 763 873 3462; password: r3trnofsdv
•••Weds. (4/28), 6-7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center continues to present the weekly MarieWriters writing workshop, online, with guest facilitators. Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/671443996
•••Weds. (4/28), 6-7:30pm: Cal. Lawyers for the Arts presents Impactful Grant Writing for Artists and Small Arts Organizations, a Webinar available via Zoom. Speakers: Kim Tucker and Dr. Dene Starks. Info & reg. at www.calawyersforthearts.org/event-4251891/. Sliding scale and complete fee waiver available.
•••Thur. (4/29), 7:30pm EDT: Poetry and the Creative Mind: Online readings by Meryl Streep, Lauren Ambrose, Orlando Bloom, Hasan Minhaj, Samin Nosrat, Sandra Oh, Sarah Sze and more. Proceeds support National Poetry Month and the Academy of American Poets Ed. Program (resources for teachers). Info/reg: poets.org/academy-american-poets/programs/poetry-creative-mind/.
I learned this week that Sacramento Poet and Editor (Ekphrasis) Laverne Frith passed away from COVID-19 several months ago. His wife, Carol Frith, died almost a year ago. This marks the end of their wonderful journal, Ekphrasis—three losses for all of us.
I also learned this week that Lincoln Poet Sue Clark passed away quite recently, a loss to the Lincoln poetry community of a friend and fellow poet.
And Poet Laureate Emeritus Al Young passed away April 17. For more about that, go to www.berkeleyside.com/2021/04/21/al-young-california-poet-laureate-berkeley-ca-dies-81/.
Love your friends and poetry colleagues now. That’s all we've got!
_____________________
—Medusa
LOADED QUESTION
—Caschwa
(after Michelle Kunert’s reference
to burros, Medusa’s Kitchen,
April 19, 2021)
My I borrow your burro to take to the
borough to burrow through bureaus?
_____________________
Welcome to another week of fine poetry food in the Kitchen, this one closing off the month of April, which is the annual Poetry Month. Our thanks to today’s contributors for starting the week off right for us!
Tonight, 7:30pm, Sac. Poetry Center’s Socially Distant Verse presents Spoken Not Slurred, an online poetry showcase featuring Russell Cummings, Alexandra Huynh, Dyvacat, Anna Fenerty, Sho ’Nuff, Heather Rogue, Iso the Poet, Patrice Hill, and special guest Rebecca Blanton. Zoom: us02web.zoom.us 763 873 3462; password: r3trnofsdv
•••Weds. (4/28), 6-7:30pm: Sac. Poetry Center continues to present the weekly MarieWriters writing workshop, online, with guest facilitators. Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/671443996
•••Weds. (4/28), 6-7:30pm: Cal. Lawyers for the Arts presents Impactful Grant Writing for Artists and Small Arts Organizations, a Webinar available via Zoom. Speakers: Kim Tucker and Dr. Dene Starks. Info & reg. at www.calawyersforthearts.org/event-4251891/. Sliding scale and complete fee waiver available.
•••Thur. (4/29), 7:30pm EDT: Poetry and the Creative Mind: Online readings by Meryl Streep, Lauren Ambrose, Orlando Bloom, Hasan Minhaj, Samin Nosrat, Sandra Oh, Sarah Sze and more. Proceeds support National Poetry Month and the Academy of American Poets Ed. Program (resources for teachers). Info/reg: poets.org/academy-american-poets/programs/poetry-creative-mind/.
I learned this week that Sacramento Poet and Editor (Ekphrasis) Laverne Frith passed away from COVID-19 several months ago. His wife, Carol Frith, died almost a year ago. This marks the end of their wonderful journal, Ekphrasis—three losses for all of us.
I also learned this week that Lincoln Poet Sue Clark passed away quite recently, a loss to the Lincoln poetry community of a friend and fellow poet.
And Poet Laureate Emeritus Al Young passed away April 17. For more about that, go to www.berkeleyside.com/2021/04/21/al-young-california-poet-laureate-berkeley-ca-dies-81/.
Love your friends and poetry colleagues now. That’s all we've got!
_____________________
—Medusa
Photos in this column can be enlarged by
clicking on them once, then clicking on the x
in the top right corner to come back to Medusa.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
All you have to do is send poetry and/or
photos and artwork to
kathykieth@hotmail.com. We post
work from all over the world, including
that which was previously-published.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
clicking on them once, then clicking on the x
in the top right corner to come back to Medusa.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
All you have to do is send poetry and/or
photos and artwork to
kathykieth@hotmail.com. We post
work from all over the world, including
that which was previously-published.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
