—Poetry and Photos by Taylor Graham,
Placerville, CA
—And then scroll down for
Form Fiddlers’ Friday!!
HOW MANY WAYS TO SAY NO?
He wants to weed-eat my field
cheap, so he can pay his phone bill.
I explain I don’t wish him ill,
but my Stihl is light enough to wield.
He wants to weed-eat my field
but the job’s my morning happy-pill.
And yet he’s persisting, still,
as if the deal is practically sealed:
he wants to weed-eat my field.
I’ll dance with thistle up the hill
while he’s still talking. I’ve had my fill.
Though the phone bill’s got to yield,
he wants to weed-eat my field.
He wants to weed-eat my field
cheap, so he can pay his phone bill.
I explain I don’t wish him ill,
but my Stihl is light enough to wield.
He wants to weed-eat my field
but the job’s my morning happy-pill.
And yet he’s persisting, still,
as if the deal is practically sealed:
he wants to weed-eat my field.
I’ll dance with thistle up the hill
while he’s still talking. I’ve had my fill.
Though the phone bill’s got to yield,
he wants to weed-eat my field.
MINIATURES
Leftovers of March,
red wander-stems like scrap-ends
of my trimmer-string,
vibrant green, tiny white blooms—
chickweed and Indian lettuce.
Leftovers of March,
red wander-stems like scrap-ends
of my trimmer-string,
vibrant green, tiny white blooms—
chickweed and Indian lettuce.
HUNTING WORDS, HUNTING GREEN
We go wandering, hunting for treasure,
consulting plant-apps for the proper words
for this dizzying display of Spring green—
a landscape of trees, blossoming weeds, green.
As if lost in wilderness of treasure,
we hunters are lost, at the least, for words.
And what, in Nature’s wonderland, are words?
And how many shades can there be of green?
Moss, oak, snowberry vine, each a treasure.
Treasure is just one of the words for green.
We go wandering, hunting for treasure,
consulting plant-apps for the proper words
for this dizzying display of Spring green—
a landscape of trees, blossoming weeds, green.
As if lost in wilderness of treasure,
we hunters are lost, at the least, for words.
And what, in Nature’s wonderland, are words?
And how many shades can there be of green?
Moss, oak, snowberry vine, each a treasure.
Treasure is just one of the words for green.
WHO CALLED?
Not the owl flying silent wings in search
of prey. Somewhere in the house he wanders
his unknown rooms, the hall, a corner clogged
with unused furniture. His house—he’s lost
here in the dark, trying to find bathroom,
bed, cookie jar, retracing the floorplan
of a childhood home. Hunting in the dark.
WANDER ACROSS BORDERS
Well-traveled leather satchel
worn crossbody to ride the left hip
easy access for the dexter hand
without a sideways shimmy
to her stride; a walk she learned
in her youth to not be taken
for ugly American. Don’t ask
what’s in that satchel. She may
pretend to not know English how
she journeys the world straight
ahead, leathered secrets at her hip.
Well-traveled leather satchel
worn crossbody to ride the left hip
easy access for the dexter hand
without a sideways shimmy
to her stride; a walk she learned
in her youth to not be taken
for ugly American. Don’t ask
what’s in that satchel. She may
pretend to not know English how
she journeys the world straight
ahead, leathered secrets at her hip.
POWERS
Season by season we wander the land,
noting wildflowers by common names
to give us a kind of power.
At brink of the westwind hill
we spoke her name over her grave
as if we knew her life and longings.
You led the way across winter fields,
past empty bee boxes, old wire fence,
toward a long-gone village.
December wind spoke its language,
passing easily through barbs
where a clutch of oaks drew me.
There was a line I couldn’t pass,
where a silent voice was speaking
under cold whisper of wind.
Wind knew so many words
speaking without a human name,
withholding its power.
Season by season we wander the land,
noting wildflowers by common names
to give us a kind of power.
At brink of the westwind hill
we spoke her name over her grave
as if we knew her life and longings.
You led the way across winter fields,
past empty bee boxes, old wire fence,
toward a long-gone village.
December wind spoke its language,
passing easily through barbs
where a clutch of oaks drew me.
There was a line I couldn’t pass,
where a silent voice was speaking
under cold whisper of wind.
Wind knew so many words
speaking without a human name,
withholding its power.
Today’s LittleNip:
DISCUSSING THE WEATHER
—Taylor Graham
Wide open fingers
wide open mouths—empty space lingers,
certainty of drouths.
_____________________
Good sunny morning, as Taylor Graham would say. Green is all around us these days, and TG knows just how to write about that and about Tuesday’s Seed of the Week, Wandering. And drouths, an alternative spelling, still legit (and yes, you can say the “th”). Read all about this surprising word and its alternatives at www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/drought-or-drouth/.
TG writes to us in forms today, as follows: Blank Verse (“Who Called?”); a Triversen (“Powers”); a Tanka (“Miniatures”); two Tritinas (“Hunting Words”, “Hunting Green”); a Rhymed Quatrain which is also Medusa's Ekphrastic Challenge last week (“Discussing the Weather”); and a Dansa (“How Many Ways to Say No”).
Speaking of Placerville, it’s last call to sign up for the May 9 Ekphrastic workshop with Lara Gularte at Confidence Firehouse Gallery, 487 Main Street, Placerville. Details may be had on the UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS link at the top of this column. Sign up by e-mailing Jordan at Jordan@ArtsAndCultureElDorado.org/.
And now it’s time for . . .
FORM FIDDLERS’ FRIDAY!
DISCUSSING THE WEATHER
—Taylor Graham
Wide open fingers
wide open mouths—empty space lingers,
certainty of drouths.
_____________________
Good sunny morning, as Taylor Graham would say. Green is all around us these days, and TG knows just how to write about that and about Tuesday’s Seed of the Week, Wandering. And drouths, an alternative spelling, still legit (and yes, you can say the “th”). Read all about this surprising word and its alternatives at www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/drought-or-drouth/.
TG writes to us in forms today, as follows: Blank Verse (“Who Called?”); a Triversen (“Powers”); a Tanka (“Miniatures”); two Tritinas (“Hunting Words”, “Hunting Green”); a Rhymed Quatrain which is also Medusa's Ekphrastic Challenge last week (“Discussing the Weather”); and a Dansa (“How Many Ways to Say No”).
Speaking of Placerville, it’s last call to sign up for the May 9 Ekphrastic workshop with Lara Gularte at Confidence Firehouse Gallery, 487 Main Street, Placerville. Details may be had on the UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS link at the top of this column. Sign up by e-mailing Jordan at Jordan@ArtsAndCultureElDorado.org/.
And now it’s time for . . .
FORM FIDDLERS’ FRIDAY!
It’s time for more contributions from Form Fiddlers, in addition to those sent to us by Taylor Graham! Each Friday, there will be poems posted here from our readers using forms—either ones which were sent to Medusa during the previous week, or whatever else floats through the Kitchen and the perpetually stoned mind of Medusa. If these instructions are vague, it's because they're meant to be. Just fiddle around with some challenges— Whaddaya got to lose… ? If you send ‘em, I’ll post ‘em! (See Medusa’s Form Finder at the end of this post for resources and for links to poetry terms used in today’s post.) There’s also a newly dusted-off page at the top of Medusa’s Kitchen called, “FORMS! OMG!!!” which expresses some of my (take ‘em or leave 'em) opinions about the use of forms in poetry writing, as well as listing some more resources to help you navigate through Form Quicksand. Got any more resources to add to our list? Send them to kathykieth@hotmail.com for the benefit of all man/woman/poetkind!
IN AN ALPINE MEADOW
—Claire J. Baker, Pinole, CA
We gaze into a lively brook
where ripples ride the flow.
We follow a water spark and, look
beyond the silver of the brook
where every ripple finds a nook
as may each bear and doe.
We gaze beyond a lively brook
to life in consummate flow.
—Claire J. Baker, Pinole, CA
We gaze into a lively brook
where ripples ride the flow.
We follow a water spark and, look
beyond the silver of the brook
where every ripple finds a nook
as may each bear and doe.
We gaze beyond a lively brook
to life in consummate flow.
* * *
Our thanks to Claire Baker for her Triolet to start us off right this morning!
Stephen Kingsnorth sent us a response to last week’s Ekphrastic prompt; we’ll get to that in a minute. Meanwhile, he heeded our admonishment to check out the new and (hopefully) improved version of our FORMS! OMG!!! link at the top of this page. Then he wrote his own Ekphrastic response [note British spelling of “license”] to the drawing of Medusa at the bottom of that page, wherein I said that this is my driver’s license pic. (Actually it was sent to me many years ago by the long-suffering D.R. Wagner.) Here is Stephen's Ekphrastic response to this rather licentious (pardon the pun) Medusa:
Our thanks to Claire Baker for her Triolet to start us off right this morning!
Stephen Kingsnorth sent us a response to last week’s Ekphrastic prompt; we’ll get to that in a minute. Meanwhile, he heeded our admonishment to check out the new and (hopefully) improved version of our FORMS! OMG!!! link at the top of this page. Then he wrote his own Ekphrastic response [note British spelling of “license”] to the drawing of Medusa at the bottom of that page, wherein I said that this is my driver’s license pic. (Actually it was sent to me many years ago by the long-suffering D.R. Wagner.) Here is Stephen's Ekphrastic response to this rather licentious (pardon the pun) Medusa:
Muse in Verdigris
DRIVING LICENSE
—Stephen Kingsnorth, Coedpoeth,
Wrexham, Wales, UK
Poetic licence broad, I know—
even its spelling if abroad—
but driving force of pic ID?
The strip-search surely not required
to test for alcohol in blood?
Near empty glass, the rest consumed—
at dinner party of some kind
was ‘pass the port’ what caused furore—
half-hidden face, not passport size—
whatever state, this lore of land?
This fruity model, cushioned well—
perhaps chez longue beneath contempt—
is more a trigger, warning, prompt
that DUI not first offence,
long record sheet of doubtful wiles?
A fair cop, more than duty calls—
speed dating by another name,
soliciting for portraiture,
or business card for fruiterer,
both snake and apple, at its core?
My photographic memory
I hope today will slip my mind—
licentiousness in full swing here;
I think Medusa’s changed her name;
her shade is ghostly Verdigris.
* * *
And here is Stephen’s response to last week’s “official” Ekphrastic Challenge. He has an idea of what the couple is squabbling about:
Last Week's Ekphrastic Challenge
HAVING WORDS
—Stephen Kingsnorth
What now she says, the laptop blank,
frustration all her tone,
not then,
when,
now,
she needs to know,
which button to be pressed.
Though she would lay out differently,
as scene, the line, the form,
the pulse rate, maybe beat applied,
how sum that moment stored?
I couldn’t find the words just then,
but waiting terms to come,
I pointed, for unspoken sign,
but that less help than strain.
Her voice rained down, articulate,
what point in digit aim—
an implication she should know
and she as dumb as I?
Her site is dark, the way unknown,
so fear is spoken out;
if seems, belittled, by who knows,
that’s writing on the wall.
The pointing finger, speaking fore
an insult, knuckle fight;
as sentence passed without appeal,
I try remission gasps.
Though common comment, six of one—
is rarely real; or so?
Clear-cut, shadows in blinding light,
black, white, or vaguer shades?
That button, shift key for the bored,
its index, function, case—
a danger, if known which to press,
as so, if which, unknown.
* * *
Joe Nolan sent his own take on that poor couple—and the outcome:
AT LEAST THEY’RE STILL TALKING
—Joe Nolan, Stockton, CA
At least they’re still talking,
Maybe more than listening,
Both at the same time,
Dueling monologues,
It’s their turn
To speak, now,
To shout
Out loud.
Later, with their bodies
In their bedroom,
After getting things
Off their chest
Other commotion,
Thrust and parry,
No words needed,
Touché!
* * *
Here is an Ars Poetica from Joe. “Muses know whose ink is dry…”
—Joe Nolan
Why must muses always whisper?
Because they cannot scream—
They have no breath.
Wishing to be born,
Given life,
To come into the world
On someone else’s shoulders—
A worried wife,
Borne above the current’s surface
To the other side, the land.
Rivers are such murky waters!
Muses yearn for places they can stand.
“Whisper me, thus,” begged the dry-inked poet,
Hoping to plumb a well into fine rare-earth,
Into original well-springs of wisdom,
Hope or joy,
But muses know
Whose ink is dry.
Thus, unto
Others, they fly,
To gain
Portage over rivers.
* * *
Caschwa (Carl Schwartz) also sent in a response with another idea of what the couple is "talking" about:
OH DARN
—Caschwa, Sacramento, CA
the moment they discovered
that they had taken
each others’ pills
—Public Domain Illustration
And Caschwa also sent us three Riddles and two Kimos (both Triple-F Challenges last week), then he ends with a flourish of Florettes:
SUDDEN CHANGE OF PLANS
—Caschwa
assuming everyone has
their own best interests
why would they vote against them?
***
Old World royal families
followed strictures to preserve
tender, new heirs to the throne;
are New World governors trying
to revive the old mold?
***
would anything at all change
if we replaced the daily
Pledge of Allegiance
with a moment of charity?
SUDDEN CHANGE OF PLANS
—Caschwa
assuming everyone has
their own best interests
why would they vote against them?
***
Old World royal families
followed strictures to preserve
tender, new heirs to the throne;
are New World governors trying
to revive the old mold?
***
would anything at all change
if we replaced the daily
Pledge of Allegiance
with a moment of charity?
KIMOSABE
—Caschwa
Apache: idiot, Lone Ranger: friend
but not to leave out the old
Navajo: soggy shrub
***
hold still while I get the light reading good
this is going to be perfect
no, do not force a smile
Apache: idiot, Lone Ranger: friend
but not to leave out the old
Navajo: soggy shrub
***
hold still while I get the light reading good
this is going to be perfect
no, do not force a smile
 |
| —Public Domain Illustration |
LITTLE BITS
—Caschwa
what harm derives from
karma that leaves us numb?
I remember nothing
but an ember: the sting
an oath to keep one’s word
is cheapened by absurd
curious kittens claw
furious is the law
a lion roars and hunts
no errors, even once
the end is drawing near
suspend your doubts and fear
____________________
Many thanks to our SnakePals for their brave fiddling! Would you like to be a SnakePal? All you have to do is send poetry—forms or not—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!
____________________
TRIPLE-F CHALLENGE!
See what you can make of this week’s poetry form, and send it to kathykieth@hotmail.com! (No deadline.) This week's challenge:
•••Synchronicity: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/synchronicity.html
And see the bottom of this post for another challenge, this one an Ekphrastic one!
_______________________
RESOURCE(S) OF THE WEEK: Where to submit poetry:
•••Writer's Digest's Poet's Market, ed. by Robert Lee Brewer: www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/announcing-the-34th-edition-of-poets-market/. The new edition is coming out in June, packed with info on getting published and venues for same. After the year we've had, I advise waiting until this new one comes out before purchasing.
—Caschwa
what harm derives from
karma that leaves us numb?
I remember nothing
but an ember: the sting
an oath to keep one’s word
is cheapened by absurd
curious kittens claw
furious is the law
a lion roars and hunts
no errors, even once
the end is drawing near
suspend your doubts and fear
____________________
Many thanks to our SnakePals for their brave fiddling! Would you like to be a SnakePal? All you have to do is send poetry—forms or not—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!
____________________
TRIPLE-F CHALLENGE!
See what you can make of this week’s poetry form, and send it to kathykieth@hotmail.com! (No deadline.) This week's challenge:
•••Synchronicity: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/synchronicity.html
And see the bottom of this post for another challenge, this one an Ekphrastic one!
_______________________
RESOURCE(S) OF THE WEEK: Where to submit poetry:
•••Writer's Digest's Poet's Market, ed. by Robert Lee Brewer: www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/announcing-the-34th-edition-of-poets-market/. The new edition is coming out in June, packed with info on getting published and venues for same. After the year we've had, I advise waiting until this new one comes out before purchasing.
•••also ticket2write: ticket2write.tripod.com/. Note the list of Poetry Markets on the left (including one for UK)! Some are defunct, but it’s still a good resource for finding submissions venues.
_______________________
MEDUSA’S FORM FINDER: Links to poetry terms mentioned today:
•••Blank Verse: literarydevices.net/blank-verse AND/OR www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-the-difference-between-blank-verse-and-free-verse#quiz-0
•••Dansa: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/dansa-poetic-forms
•••Ekphrastic Poem: notesofoak.com/discover-literature/ekphrastic-poetry
•••Florette: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/essence.html
•••Kimo: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/kimo-poetic-form AND/OR poetscollective.org/poetryforms/kimo
•••Quatrain: www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-quatrain-in-poetry-quatrain-definition-with-examples#quiz-0
•••Riddle Poem: poets.org/glossary/riddle
•••Synchronicity: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/synchronicity.html
_______________________
MEDUSA’S FORM FINDER: Links to poetry terms mentioned today:
•••Blank Verse: literarydevices.net/blank-verse AND/OR www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-the-difference-between-blank-verse-and-free-verse#quiz-0
•••Dansa: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/dansa-poetic-forms
•••Ekphrastic Poem: notesofoak.com/discover-literature/ekphrastic-poetry
•••Florette: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/essence.html
•••Kimo: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/kimo-poetic-form AND/OR poetscollective.org/poetryforms/kimo
•••Quatrain: www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-quatrain-in-poetry-quatrain-definition-with-examples#quiz-0
•••Riddle Poem: poets.org/glossary/riddle
•••Synchronicity: www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/synchronicity.html
•••Tanka: poets.org/glossary/tanka
•••Triolet: www.writersdigest.com/personal-updates/triolet-an-easy-way-to-write-8-lines-of-poetry
•••Tritina: www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/tritina.htm
•••Triversen: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/triversen-poetic-form
_______________________
—Medusa
•••Triolet: www.writersdigest.com/personal-updates/triolet-an-easy-way-to-write-8-lines-of-poetry
•••Tritina: www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/tritina.htm
•••Triversen: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/triversen-poetic-form
_______________________
—Medusa
—Public Domain Photo
* * *
See what you can make of the above
See what you can make of the above
photo, and send your poetic results to
kathykieth@hotmail.com/. (No deadline.)
For upcoming poetry events in
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
in the links at the top of this page.
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.
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
in the links at the top of this page.
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.
