Phew, Emu!

There was a young couple from Kew
who adopted a fuzzy emu.
The night they were wed
in a hard feather bed,
they'd found there were feathers too few.

—Hatch Graham, Somerset

________________

Thanks, Hatch! Tackling a limerick takes cojones the size of Cleveland, especially for that tricky last line. Hatch will be receiving my Sternums book and Colette's The Burden of Wings for his successful efforts. Someday maybe you can get him to share some of his X-rated ones...

Only one day left in the emu-fest; check Tuesday's posting for the skinny.

The "Between the Lines" section of the Bee Scene section has mention today of the new book, New American Writing, an anthology of poetry by nearly 90 contributors, including the work of 16 Vietnamese poets. See Snake 6 for an article by Be Davison Herrera and some samples from this community.

Poetry a-plenty tonight if you're in the mood: Tiger (Le Tigre, Tiger Spirit) at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th, 8-ish; Poetic Light Open Mic at Personal Style Salon, 1540 Cottage Way (470-2317); Evening of Poetry at Gwen's Caribbean Cuisine, 2355 Arden Way, Sac (284-7831).

How about we head into our day with some of Edgar Lee Masters' thoughts on writing:


PETIT, THE POET
—Edgar Lee Masters

Seeds in a dry pod, tick, tick, tick,
Tick, tick, tick, like mites in a quarrel—
Faint iambics that the full breeze wakens—
But the pine tree makes a symphony thereof.
Triolets, villanelles, rondels, rondeaus,
Ballades by the score with the same old thought:
The snows and the roses of yesterday are vanished;
And what is love but a rose that fades?
Life all around me here in the village:
Tragedy, comedy, valor and truth,
Courage, constancy, heroism, failure—
All in the loom, and oh what patterns!
Woodlands, meadows, streams and rivers—
Blind to all of it all my life long.
Triolets, villanelles, rondels, rondeaus,
Seeds in a dry pod, tick, tick, tick,
Tick, tick, tick, what little iambics,
While Homer and Whitman roared in the pines.

_______________

Thanks, Ed! Keep it fresh, he says. Write about emus!

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.

What the Fortune Cookies Said

WHAT THE FORTUNE COOKIES SAID
—Bradley Buchanan, Sacramento

Tonight the fortune cookies were right,
down to the newborn baby, who
got the last unopened one,
saying she sparked enthusiasm
in everyone who looked at her,
which was true enough to seem solemn.

The sirens passing us by are no
concern of ours, or anyone’s
within reach of our compassion or reason.

We’re closing in on a lifelong cocoon
of safety, thanks to this little one-
track mind we’ve brought to reality.

The dinner was paid for; politeness forgotten,
we didn’t know who to thank, so we
sent a late blessing by frequencies
too high and subliminal for a cell phone.

No need to call them up to say
thanks or I love you—we’re family
all of a sudden, now that our offspring
throws us back on each other’s unguarded
affections and intimate admiration.

A beautiful girl shows the whole world the way
it could be perfect, or, at the very least,
close-knit with delight casually prophesied.

_______________________

Thanks, Brad! Bradley Buchanan teaches full-time at CSUS; his specialties are British and World Literature, with some Creative Writing courses "here and there". Brad was born in Canada, came to study English in the US in 1995 and has lived in Northern California for the past ten years. He has published poems in more than 100 journals worldwide. He also has a new book out from Poets Corner Press, entitled The Miracle Shirker, which is available at The Book Collector. Brad will be reading at Sacramento Poetry Center on August 15, and he also serves on the editorial staff of Tule Review, though much of his time is taken up with that new baby—the first for him and his wife!

Don't forget the emu-fest; check yesterday's posting for the highly seductive list of prizes. And try to stay cool. Stay inside the house and write!

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.

Wild Wooddove, Shy Wings Shut...

How about a little Gerard Manley Hopkins? You've probably seen his Pied Beauty and The Windhover; have you seen this one?


PEACE
—Gerard Manley Hopkins

When will you ever, Peace, wild wooddove, shy wings shut,
Your round me roaming end, and under be my bough?
When, when, Peace, will you, Peace?—I'll not play hypocrite

To own my heart: I yield you do come sometimes; but
That piecemeal peace is poor peace. What pure peace allows
Alarms of wars, the daunting, war, the death of it?

O surely, reaving Peace, my Lord should leave in lieu
Some good! And so he does leave Patience exquisite,
That plumes to Peace thereafter. And when Peace here does house
He comes with work to do, he does not come to coo,
He comes to brood and sit.

____________________

And now, for a different kind of bird:


EMU
—Patricia Wellingham-Jones, Tehama

Feathers fluffed
behind the black hide
of steers fattening for market
the only emu
left from a rancher’s unsound dream
roves the field
tiptoes over lava rocks
scans the rising distance
for her mate

___________________

Thanks, Patricia! Send in a poem about emus to kathykieth@hotmail.com before AUGUST 5 and receive a free copy of Colette Jonopulos' rattlechap, The Burden of Wings. Make it a limerick and get a free copy of Rattlechap 13.1, Why We Have Sternums by Kathy Kieth, in addition. Make it a sonnet and get a free year's subscription, as well as both books: 4 Snakes, 3 Snakelets, 2 Vypers, and assorted littlesnake broadsides—all sent to your home! Heck, throw in a sestina and I'll include Joyce Odam and Charlotte Vincent's Caught Against the Years. (And yes, we have actually been sent a sestina, but I'm holding it back for the grand finale.)

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.

It's Monday. Argh...

Let's start with something from Amy Lowell. I'm reading Painted Shadow right now, Carole Seymour-Jones' biography of T.S. Eliot's wife, Vivien, and Amy Lowell and all those folks from that time are on my mind. Medusa happens to be partial to Amy, anyway—maybe this will appease all that Monday morning snake-angst:


WIND AND SILVER
—Amy Lowell

Greatly shining,
The Autumn moon floats in the thin sky;
And the fish-ponds shake their backs and flash their dragon scales
As she passes over them.

________________________

Thanks, Amy!

It's not too late to sign up for the "A Summer Showcase" to be held this Saturday, August 6 at Sun City in Roseville, sponsored by the "Society of Cleo Poets", Cleo Griffith (of Salida) and Cleo Kocol (of Sacramento). The program will feature Gail Rudd Entrekin (Professor/poet Sierra College, Editor of Hip Pocket Press), Sam Pierstorff (Poet Laureate of Modesto and Editor of Quercus Review) and Cynthia L. Bryant (Poet Laureate of Pleasanton and Editor of Poet's Lane—remember the e-mail service she provides, announcing Nor-Cal readings?). Also reading will be a variety of other poets, both local and otherwise, including Taylor Graham, Pearl Stein Selinsky, Karen Baker (all rattlechappers), JoAn Osborne (co-editor of Tiger’s Eye), Elizabeth Bernstein, the two Cleos, Kathy Kieth, Lynn Hansen, Marnelle White, nancee maya, Gordon Durham. Word on the street is that lots of other poets will be there, too, including a whole gaggle from Placerville. Registration for those not on the program is $5. Soft drinks and snacks will be provided. Info: cleor36@yahoo.com; check to see if there are any open mic spots left, and to ask for directions to 7600 Whistlestop Way in Roseville. Here is a wee sample from Lynn Hansen of Modesto:


DANDELIONS
—Lynn Hansen, Modesto

Rosettes,
concealed by grasses,
lie unnoticed at dawn.

Filaments,
coiled in cones,
burst into rays.

Spheres,
parachutes of promise,
scatter with breezes.

(Appeared in Song of the San Joaquin)

_________________

Thanks, Lynn! This is going to be a biggie!

And while you're in the Kitchen, check yesterday's posting for information about the Emu-fest and about tonight's Sac. Poetry Center reading at HQ to celebrate the release of Charlie MacDonald's book from Swan Scythe Press.

It's Monday. Go and be well...

—Medusa

Ear Candy

FROM OUR GREAT HEIGHT
—Taylor Graham, Somerset

Beside the evening river the emus speak
in guttural grunts and throbbing drums.
We listen from this distant peak
where Westwind through the passes hums,
bringing even more distant news –
from 200 years ago, when this bird’s call
issued from such varied throats and flues:
the song of Tasmanian Emu (all
of those extinct now), Kangaroo Island
Emu, and King Island’s.... What can those
dead birds matter now? Doesn’t humankind
forever look down on a land
of disappearing species? Who chose
what stays? What’s left behind?

_____________________

As you can see, Taylor Graham was the first to take the emu bite—with a sonnet, no less. (What? No sestina?) She writes that she actually wrote four sonnets about emus, altogether! Now all she needs is to find an emu journal somewhere... In case you've just tuned in, send in a poem about emus to kathykieth@hotmail.com before AUGUST 5 and receive a free copy of Colette Jonopulos' rattlechap, The Burden of Wings. Make it a limerick and get a free copy of Rattlechap 13.1, Why We Have Sternums by Kathy Kieth, in addition. Make it a sonnet and get a free year's subscription, as well as both books: 4 Snakes, 3 Snakelets, 2 Vypers, and assorted littlesnake broadsides—all sent to your home!

Actually, I like the sestina idea. Send in a sestina about emus (12 lines or more) before August 5 and I'll send all of the above, plus a copy of Joyce Odam and Charlotte Vincent's SpiralChap, Caught Against the Years. Such a deal, all for one tiny little sestina!

In other news, Poetry Now arrived from the Sacramento Poetry Center yesterday, eye candy to promote Sacramento's poetic ear candy for the month of August. Lots of Snake people in there, including debee loyd, Joyce Odam, Allegra Silberstein, Taylor Graham, Patricia Wellingham-Jones—and two beautiful layouts of upcoming rattlechappers Susan Kelly-DeWitt and Victoria Dalkey, both of whom will release their new chapbooks on August 10 at The Book Collector. More about that, later.

Tomorrow night, August 1, the Sacramento Poetry Center presents Sandra McPherson, Chip Spann, Susan Kelly-DeWitt and others celebrating Charlie MacDonald's new book from Swan Scythe Press: El Sobrante: Selected Poems, 1975-2005. HQ, 25th & R, Sac; 7:30, free. Info: 441-7395.

I'm working on Snakebytes right now; it'll be in your e-boxes within the next few days, and will outline what's coming up with the Snake (don't forget the 8/15 deadline for Snake 7). What I'm NOT outlining yet is all the new features which will debut in the next couple of issues—lots of exciting new columnists and other surprises which will appear this fall. Hang on to your hats—the Snake is shedding and is about to come out with a whole new skin!

—Medusa (let's see: what rhymes with "ee-myoo"?)

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.

Put Wings to Your Words

Medusa got a letter!

HI, Kathy -- I'm really enjoying your Medusa's Kitchen blogs. Maybe you have already run this. If not, people might be interested in the project of current US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. If you go to his website on American Life in Poetry, at:
http://www.americanlifeinpoetry.org/current.html you can register to get a poem emailed to you every week. This week's poem by Dan Gerber is extremely potent. (Or poetent.) The site says the column is free to newspapers, but I don't know
of any newspaper taking advantage of this.

Hope you are well.

JoAnn Anglin

_________________

Thanks, JoAnn! Send poems!!! (JoAnn has been a Snake-pal since the very beginning, contributing wonderful articles and poetry and consenting to do Rattlechap #2, Words Like Knives, Like Feathers, which is available at The Book Collector.)

Yesterday I mentioned that the latest issue of Poetry Depth Quarterly is out; here is a reprint of Taylor Graham's poem from that issue. Order a PDQ from poetdpth@aol.com:


TOO SMALL TO NOTICE
—Taylor Graham, Somerset

Such a thin book of poems, and yet
it's full of bugs. Insects.
Every poem buzzes, flits, refuses
to sit still.

Iridescence. A dragonfly, a
swallowtail. Waspish stingers,
moths at the tip of pistil.
All these pages flutter, itch
and tingle.

Shut them fast
between the covers.
Listen. Outside

nothing but the dead drone
of traffic. Leaden sky, sleep-
walkers between their concrete
lines.

Truth is not this absence
of wings.

___________________

Right now Medusa is also thinking about writing, so get to work and put wings to your words. Send in a poem about emus (kathykieth@hotmail.com) before AUGUST 5 and receive a free copy of Colette Jonopulos' rattlechap, The Burden of Wings. Make it a limerick and get a free copy of Rattlechap 13.1, Why We Have Sternums by Kathy Kieth, in addition. Make it a sonnet and get a free year's subscription, as well as both books: 4 Snakes, 3 Snakelets, 2 Vypers, and assorted littlesnake broadsides—all sent to your home! Shazam!

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets.

Extolling (or Defaming) the Emu

"As he stared at her ample bosom, he daydreamed of the dual Stromberg carburetors in his vintage 'Triumph Spitfire'." This was the winning submission in San Jose State University's annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, submitted by Dan McKay of Fargo, N.D. This contest is intended to celebrate the "worst writing in the English language—people with a little talent but no taste." McKay also compared his heroine's anatomy to the "small knurled caps of the oil dampeners."

We can do better. Extolling women is so "played"; let us extol the emu. On my trip to Coos Bay, we stopped at Wildlife Safari, where a fine little set of emus had recently hatched, scattering themselves across the road and holding up large herds of SUV's with cameras while tourists desperately tried to avoid running over these fluffs on toothpicks. Then, when I got to our relatives' house, they had a large black emu egg which had been sent by somebody in the family who actually raised emus for a while. (They finally got rid of them, though—apparently emus "eat too much", plus something about them being hard to "part out"...)

Anyway, send in a poem about emus (kathykieth@hotmail.com) before AUGUST 5 and receive a free copy of Colette Jonopulos' rattlechap, The Burden of Wings. Make it a limerick and get a free copy of Rattlechap 13.1, Why We Have Sternums by Kathy Kieth, in addition. Make it a sonnet and get a free year's subscription, as well as both books: 4 Snakes, 3 Snakelets, 2 Vypers, and assorted littlesnake broadsides—all sent to your home!

Here are three poems by Emily Dickinson about writing and the poet. Being a publisher of sorts, I won't include the one where she tells us what she thought about publishing—though I definitely agree with her about the dangers of careerism:


A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.

I say it just
Begins to live
That day.

________________

Tell the Truth but tell it slant—
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

_________________

The Poets light but Lamps—
Themselves—go out—
The Wicks they stimulate—
If vital Light

Inhere as do the Suns—
Each age a Lens
Disseminating their
Circumference—

__________________

By the way, I am well aware that you probably don't have a poem about emus in your repetoire. So I guess you'll just have to write one....!

Also in the Bee today: an article and picture in the Metro section of Eugene Redmond, poet and former CSUS professor who created Drumvoices Revue. Redmond, one of the leading voices in the black arts movement, is hosting a series of readings around the country, including 1-4pm this Saturday at Studio 33 (709 J St., Sac.) and from 3-5pm August 6 at Carol's Books, 300 Florin Rd., Sac.

The latest issue of Poetry Depth Quarterly is out, and this one is packed with local poets—too many to list! Also beautiful art by Charlotte Vincent, who collaborated with poet Joyce Odam on SnakeRings SpiralChap #5, Caught Against the Years. Purchase the new PDQ from Joyce, or order it from poetdpth@aol.com—some of the current PDQ poems are posted on there, in fact.

Or, heck—forget all about words and head out to the 17th Annual Strauss Festival of Elk Grove, tonight through Sunday at 7:30, Strauss Island in Elk Grove Regional Park. Tickets are free; parking is $10. Get there early.

—Medusa