Placerville, CA
—And then scroll down to
Form Fiddlers’ Friday, with poetry by
Stephen Kingsnorth, Nolcha Fox,
Caschwa, Joshua C. Frank,
and Joe Nola
FOREST IN FLIGHT
Driving to town I see the smoke plume
rising somewhere ahead, high streamer
maybe bearing ash and live embers
from flaring base jagged with burning
timber. It’s wildfire season. Two days
ago, a small blaze—just a mile and
a half from home—burned only a few
acres. Across the state hundreds of
thousands of acres charred this year, so
far. I check my fire app. Exactly
where is this new one? spreading how fast?
Somewhere between us and horizon,
our neighbor Forest is taking flight.
Driving to town I see the smoke plume
rising somewhere ahead, high streamer
maybe bearing ash and live embers
from flaring base jagged with burning
timber. It’s wildfire season. Two days
ago, a small blaze—just a mile and
a half from home—burned only a few
acres. Across the state hundreds of
thousands of acres charred this year, so
far. I check my fire app. Exactly
where is this new one? spreading how fast?
Somewhere between us and horizon,
our neighbor Forest is taking flight.
FIREFIGHTERS
My dog and I started at Veterans Memorial
where I snapped a shot of the smoke-
plume not so far away but the flames so remote
with ridges and canyons so difficult
to navigate. Then, we skirted the Fairgrounds
where I’d meant to walk this morning
but it’s base camp for the firefight.
I lost count of dozers on flatbeds, headed
for refueling; other heavy equipment
and smaller trucks with machinery
I couldn’t name. I waved to every one,
and some waved back. Unspoken blessings.
It’s early morning of a long hot hard
and dangerous day.
GOLDEN WIND
Wind through dead-dry wild oats, cresting waves so far from ocean gilded by early sun. My dog tests the wind for distant scents. Two-color landscape, faded green of summer weeds, bleached gold of spring’s leftovers. Can commuter traffic drown the wind’s voice? Shut it out. Forget the morning’s headlines and the to-do list at home.
My dog sniffs, listens
as wind blows its wordless news,
its golden silence.
ONE SUNFLOWER
By
the old
railroad track
just this single
raggedy blossom—
grace can be anywhere.
RESCUE DOG COOL
Otis is stretched out
on entry tile, just being
at home in himself.
COMING BACK IN COLOR
In wildfire’s burn scar, what might run or fly or slink
thru dead charred trees standing, to make a living link
beyond this landscape penned in stark black ink.
____________________
Today’s LittleNip:
ARS NATURA
—Taylor Graham
When
a human
meets nature on her
simple terms, what poems might
come?
____________________
Our thanks to Taylor Graham, who is writing to us about fire seasoning the foothills. Forms she has used include a Haibun (“Golden Wind”); an Oddquain that is also an Ars Poetica (“Ars Natura”); a Haiku (“Rescue Dog Cool”); Stepping Stones (“One Sunflower”); some Normative Syllabics (“Forest in Flight”); and some Diminishing Verse (“Coming Back in Color”). The Diminishing Verse and the Oddquain were two of last week’s Triple-F Challenges.
In addition to El Dorado County’s regular workshops (go to http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html) next week, Poetry in Motion read-around meets in Placerville on Monday, 10:30am. For more news about EDC poetry—past (photos!) and future—see Taylor Graham’s Western Slope El Dorado Poetry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry or see Lara Gularte’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/382234029968077/. (Poetry is Gold in El Dorado County!) And of course you can always click on Medusa's UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS (http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html) for details about future poetry events in the NorCal area.
And now it’s time for…
FORM FIDDLERS’ FRIDAY!
Today’s LittleNip:
ARS NATURA
—Taylor Graham
When
a human
meets nature on her
simple terms, what poems might
come?
____________________
Our thanks to Taylor Graham, who is writing to us about fire seasoning the foothills. Forms she has used include a Haibun (“Golden Wind”); an Oddquain that is also an Ars Poetica (“Ars Natura”); a Haiku (“Rescue Dog Cool”); Stepping Stones (“One Sunflower”); some Normative Syllabics (“Forest in Flight”); and some Diminishing Verse (“Coming Back in Color”). The Diminishing Verse and the Oddquain were two of last week’s Triple-F Challenges.
In addition to El Dorado County’s regular workshops (go to http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html) next week, Poetry in Motion read-around meets in Placerville on Monday, 10:30am. For more news about EDC poetry—past (photos!) and future—see Taylor Graham’s Western Slope El Dorado Poetry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElDoradoCountyPoetry or see Lara Gularte’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/382234029968077/. (Poetry is Gold in El Dorado County!) And of course you can always click on Medusa's UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS (http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html) for details about future poetry events in the NorCal area.
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.)
Check out our recently-refurbed 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 and other ways of poetry. Got any more resources to add to our list? Send them to kathykieth@hotmail.com for the benefit of all man/woman/poetkind!
* * *
Last Week’s Ekphrastic Photo
Last week’s photo brought out responses from Stephen Kingsnorth, who is still thinking about tomatoes after my Jane Doe episode; Nolcha Fox; and Caschwa (Carl Schwartz):
Dan Opener
—Public Domain Photo Courtesy
of Stephen Kingsnorth
—Public Domain Photo Courtesy
of Stephen Kingsnorth
CAN-CAN: DANCE OF WORDS
—Stephen Kingsnorth, Coedpoeth, Wrexham, Wales
Excuse distraction—‘focus mind!’—
but insignificance appeals;
it is in details, little things
that games find play with words in head.
Freudian slip? More typo time,
that ‘can’ be catalogued as ‘dan’.
‘Dan opener’ headline, kickstart match,
the rank in martial arts perhaps
(I don’t mean smell of sweaty clothes)—
or can it be spellchecker (damn),
that casts its spell, entitlement?
But that’s enough; wee can agree.
A tea towel as protecting glove
I used to jab with vicious spike,
for each stab lifted (driving Jag),
that jagged edge to sever flesh,
until, new-fangled, this arrived—
baked beans, blood red, tomato source.
Now there’s a ring-pull, safer still,
though fumble fingers yet need nail.
I empty tuna flakes in brine,
a noble fish reduced to tin
as tight as sardines mother knew.
They call this retro; I’m so old.
The problem comes when can of worms
is opened, ready bait for fish.
A ready swop, content to sea,
remove hook worms, replace hooked fish.
But stabbing can be scene DV,
that can of worms don’t want to see.
Can of Worms
—Public Domain Photo Courtesy
of Stephen Kingsnorth
of Stephen Kingsnorth
THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY
—Nolcha Fox, Buffalo, WY
My grandpa nailed this odd device
upon the kitchen wall.
It must be good for something
besides cutting my hard head.
I finally thought it would be good
for opening tin cans.
Until I figure how to start,
I’ll use it to pop beer tops.
* * *
NO-BRAINER
—Caschwa, Sacramento, CA
if you have a pencil sharpener
that captures all that it cuts
you can mount it on the wall
with no ifs, ands, or buts
but if you have a can opener
positioned right over the floor
expect all kinds of misery
your spouse will serve you no more
* * *
Here is a First-Word Acrostic from Caschwa:
—Public Domain Photo
WRONG ADDRESS
—Caschwa
suddenly the world is changing
there are signs I can’t read, like I
was in a foreign nation that
this sleeper had never visited, sending
loud messages to
knock my balance off and
on continually confusing
my dark window for a
door that is inviting,
so much so
I pulled my clothes on,
ambled to the front hallway
over to my security screen,
opened my eyes to see
it more clearly,
a bag of money? no,
crack cocaine? no
and then on my porch I
saw a monolith from
some science fiction movie
strange that it would be here,
package from outer space
addressed succinctly
to Resident, so I took it to
my good
neighbor
* * *
We have Sonnets today—Carl sent a Double-Trouble Sonnet:
—Caschwa
suddenly the world is changing
there are signs I can’t read, like I
was in a foreign nation that
this sleeper had never visited, sending
loud messages to
knock my balance off and
on continually confusing
my dark window for a
door that is inviting,
so much so
I pulled my clothes on,
ambled to the front hallway
over to my security screen,
opened my eyes to see
it more clearly,
a bag of money? no,
crack cocaine? no
and then on my porch I
saw a monolith from
some science fiction movie
strange that it would be here,
package from outer space
addressed succinctly
to Resident, so I took it to
my good
neighbor
* * *
We have Sonnets today—Carl sent a Double-Trouble Sonnet:
—Public Domain Illustration
COMPROMISE
—Caschwa
many major keys may fit on one ring
any two together too dissident to sing
perchance we’ll play a piece for 4 hands
enhance the tempo and see where it lands
mounting frustration just lingers
counting the beat with our fingers
we can handle this like old friends
be the candle that’s lit at both ends
take stock of our mutual histories
unlock modulation’s mysteries
best to be careful with musical notation
lest we unleash too much harsh irritation
despite restrictions and laws
invite the audience applause
* * *
—Caschwa
many major keys may fit on one ring
any two together too dissident to sing
perchance we’ll play a piece for 4 hands
enhance the tempo and see where it lands
mounting frustration just lingers
counting the beat with our fingers
we can handle this like old friends
be the candle that’s lit at both ends
take stock of our mutual histories
unlock modulation’s mysteries
best to be careful with musical notation
lest we unleash too much harsh irritation
despite restrictions and laws
invite the audience applause
* * *
And Josh Frank also sent us a Sonnet:
—Public Domain Photo
CROSSES AND LOSSES
—Joshua C. Frank
I tried to write a poem to acclaim
The passion flashing like a lightning strike
Between a man and woman, though the same
Return to normal from a single spike.
It’s hard to say true love is like those hearts
Of valentines and candies from the store
When sugar hearts will mush and crush to parts
And passion pledges turn to total war.
Not so the lifelong love that doesn’t end;
The sacrifice preserves it from decay.
It knows a life commitment must transcend
The fleeting feelings from a heart at play.
I’d rather write of love that lasts through losses—
For you alone, I’ve borne a thousand crosses.
* * *
Joe Nolan sent us an Ekphrastic poem based on a recent Ekphrastic Challenge of ours:
—Public Domain Photo Courtesy of Joe Nolan
AFTER A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
—Joe Nolan, Stockton, CA
How do you like
My bilateral
Asymmetry?
One horn up,
One horn down.
Please, no puns, now
About horniness
Gone awry or askew.
You might ask me
What did I do
To rotate one horn
180 degrees?
You might ask me
But I don’t know.
It came upon me
When I awoke one morning
After a night on the town.
Ever since,
I’ve been a marked bull.
Now I stand out
In a crowd.
People cat-call me
All the time,
“How is your horniness, today?”
They say.
Or, “Having a bad day?”
It’s hard to explain
When you cannot remember
After a night
You’ve forgotten forever
When you were
Out on the town.
* * *
And here is an Ars Poetica from Stephen Kingsnorth:
—Public Domain Photo
PERFECT DAY
—Stephen Kingsnorth
Inspired by Lou Reed
Spin is the turning of the word,
the reading in, assuming of,
when experts see beyond the muse,
to choose what hidden lines they may.
‘I meant just what I said’, Lou’s view,
but on cue others overwrite,
for none have copyright of sight,
how ears do hear and sense perceived.
Are Blake’s satanic mills a thread
that looms from cotton or the church,
as we do weave what we would see,
though poet did not write that way?
So analyse and state your case,
armchair critic, therapy couch—
and if Trainspotting, take your track
though mystify, mythologise.
But when lou reed, or hear his text,
it’s central for the perfect day;
a place to be, to trust and see,
and after scene, go home again.
As words trip triggers, due or not,
and those awake, abused for it,
past zeitgeist spurned, classics rewrote,
books banned and burning, which at stake?
___________________
Many thanks to today’s writers for their lively contributions! Wouldn’t you like to join them? 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 CHALLENGES!
For more about rhyme, see:
How about distorting the devil?
•••Distorted Diablo: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/distorted-diablo
•••AND/OR the Domino Ryme (no, there’s no “h” in “rhyme” here):
•••Domino Ryme: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/domino-ryme
•••See also the bottom of this post for another challenge, this one an Ekphrastic one.
•••And don’t forget each Tuesday’s Seed of the Week! This week it’s “Enchantment”.
____________________
MEDUSA’S FORM FINDER: Links to poetry terms mentioned today:
•••Acrostic Poem types: https://studybay.com/blog/how-to-write-an-acrostic-poem
•••Ars Poetica: www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/ars-poetica
•••Diminishing Verse: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/diminishing-verse-poetic-form
•••Distorted Diablo: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/distorted-diablo
•••Domino Ryme: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/domino-ryme
•••Ekphrastic Poem: notesofoak.com/discover-literature/ekphrastic-poetry
•••Haibun: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/haibun-poems-poetic-form
•••Haiku: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/haiku-or-hokku AND/OR www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/haiku/haiku.html
•••Normative Syllabics: hellopoetry.com/collection/108/normative-syllabic-free-verse AND/OR lewisturco.typepad.com/poetics/normative-syllabic-verse
•••Oddquain (and variations): www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/oddquain.html
•••Sonnet, Double-Trouble: poetscollective.org/everysonnet/double-trouble-sonnet
•••Sonnet, Corona (or Crown of Sonnets): https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/crown-of-sonnets-poetic-forms
•••Stepping Stones (devised by Claire Baker): Syllables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (7, etc.)
___________________
—Medusa
•••Distorted Diablo: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/distorted-diablo
•••AND/OR the Domino Ryme (no, there’s no “h” in “rhyme” here):
•••Domino Ryme: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/domino-ryme
•••See also the bottom of this post for another challenge, this one an Ekphrastic one.
•••And don’t forget each Tuesday’s Seed of the Week! This week it’s “Enchantment”.
____________________
MEDUSA’S FORM FINDER: Links to poetry terms mentioned today:
•••Acrostic Poem types: https://studybay.com/blog/how-to-write-an-acrostic-poem
•••Ars Poetica: www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/ars-poetica
•••Diminishing Verse: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/diminishing-verse-poetic-form
•••Distorted Diablo: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/distorted-diablo
•••Domino Ryme: https://poetscollective.org/poetryforms/domino-ryme
•••Ekphrastic Poem: notesofoak.com/discover-literature/ekphrastic-poetry
•••Haibun: www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/haibun-poems-poetic-form
•••Haiku: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/haiku-or-hokku AND/OR www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/haiku/haiku.html
•••Normative Syllabics: hellopoetry.com/collection/108/normative-syllabic-free-verse AND/OR lewisturco.typepad.com/poetics/normative-syllabic-verse
•••Oddquain (and variations): www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/oddquain.html
•••Sonnet, Double-Trouble: poetscollective.org/everysonnet/double-trouble-sonnet
•••Sonnet, Corona (or Crown of Sonnets): https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/crown-of-sonnets-poetic-forms
•••Stepping Stones (devised by Claire Baker): Syllables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (7, etc.)
___________________
—Medusa
Today's Ekphrastic Challenge!
Make what you can of today's
picture, and send your poetic results to
kathykieth@hotmail.com/. (No deadline.)
* * *
—Public Domain Photo
Courtesy of Medusa
Make what you can of today's
picture, and send your poetic results to
kathykieth@hotmail.com/. (No deadline.)
* * *
—Public Domain Photo
Courtesy of Medusa
For future poetry happenings in
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
(http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html)
in the links at the top of this page—
and keep an eye on this link and on
the daily Kitchen for happenings
that might pop up
—or get changed!—
during the week.
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.
Find previous four-or-so posts by scrolling down
under today; or there's an "Older Posts" button
at the bottom of this column; or find previous poets
by typing the name of the poet or poem
into the little beige box at the top
left-hand side of today’s post; or go to
Medusa’s Rapsheet at the bottom of
the blue column at the right
to find the date you want.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
Guidelines are at the top of this page
at the Placating the Gorgon link;
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—
and collaborations are welcome.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
(http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html)
in the links at the top of this page—
and keep an eye on this link and on
the daily Kitchen for happenings
that might pop up
—or get changed!—
during the week.
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.
Find previous four-or-so posts by scrolling down
under today; or there's an "Older Posts" button
at the bottom of this column; or find previous poets
by typing the name of the poet or poem
into the little beige box at the top
left-hand side of today’s post; or go to
Medusa’s Rapsheet at the bottom of
the blue column at the right
to find the date you want.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
Guidelines are at the top of this page
at the Placating the Gorgon link;
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—
and collaborations are welcome.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
