TO A POOR OLD WOMAN
munching a plum on
the street a paper bag
of them in her hand
They taste good to her
They taste good
to her. They taste
good to her
You can see it by
the way she gives herself
to the one half
sucked out in her hand
Comforted
a solace of ripe plums
seeming to fill the air
They taste good to her
—William Carlos Williams, who would have been 123 years old today
_______________________
WAITING
—William Carlos Williams
When I am alone I am happy.
The air is cool. The sky is
flecked and splashed and wound
with color. The crimson phalloi
of the sassafras leaves
hang crowded before me
in shoals on the heavy branches.
When I reach my doorstep
I am greeted by
the happy shrieks of my children
and my heart sinks.
I am crushed.
Are not my children as dear to me
as falling leaves or
must one become stupid
to grow older?
It seems much as if Sorrow
had tripped up my heels.
Let us see, let us see!
What did I plan to say to her
when it should happen to me
as it has happened now?
_______________________
DANSE RUSSE
—William Carlos Williams
If I when my wife is sleeping
and the baby and Kathleen
are sleeping
and the sun is a flame-white disc
in silken mists
above shining trees,—
if I in my north room
dance naked, grotesquely
before my mirror
waving my shirt round my head
and singing softly to myself:
"I am lonely, lonely.
I was born to be lonely,
I am best so!"
If I admire my arms, my face,
my shoulders, flanks, buttocks
against the yellow drawn shades,—
Who shall say I am not
the happy genius of my household?
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Fighting Against the Floor
HOMAGE TO CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY
—Octavio Paz
I am a man: little do I last
and the night is enormous.
But I look up:
the stars write.
Unknowing I understand:
I too am written,
and at this very moment
someone spells me out.
(trans. by Eliot Weinberger)
_______________________
A little Octavio Paz to give us paz on Mexican Independence Day. Otherwise, it's a day for Russell Edson:
THE HALF-AND-HALF MAN
—Russell Edson
A man had two feet. One was a woman, the other a man.
Appropriately one wore a woman's high-heeled shoe, the other a rough work boot.
And this was true of his hands and his nostrils and eyes. And this was true of his testicles, one of which was an ovary...
_______________________
THE FLOOR
—Russell Edson
The floor is something we must fight against. Whilst seemingly mere platform for the human stance, it is that place that men fall to.
I am not dizzy. I stand as a tower, a lighthouse; the pale ray of my sentiency flowing from my face.
But should I go dizzy I crash down into the floor; my face into the floor, my attention bleeding into the cracks of the floor.
Dear horizontal place, I do not wish to be a rug. Do not pull at the difficult head, this teetering bulb of dread and dream...
________________________
ON THE EATING OF MICE
—Russell Edson
A woman was roasting a mouse for her husband's dinner; then to serve it with a blueberry in its mouth.
At table he uses a dentist's pick and a surgeon's scalpel, bending over the tiny roastling with a jeweler's loupe...
Twenty years of this: curried mouse; garlic and butter mouse; mouse sauteed in its own fur; Salisbury mouse; mouse-in-the-trap, baked in the very trap that killed it; mouse tartare; mouse pouched in menstrual blood at the full of the moon...
Twenty years of this, eating their way through the mice... And yet, not to forget, each night one less vermin in the world...
________________________
THE PHILOSOPHERS
—Russell Edson
I think, therefore I am, said a man whose mother quickly hit him on the head, saying, I hit my son on his head, therefore I am.
No no, you've got it all wrong, cried the man.
So she hit him on the head again and cried, therefore I am.
You're not, not that way; you're supposed to think, not hit, cried the man.
...I think, therefore I am, said the man.
I hit, therefore we both are, the hitter and the one who gets hit, said the man's mother.
But at this point the man had ceased to be; unconscious he could not think. But his mother could. So she thought, I am, and so is my unconscious son, even if he doesn't know it...
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
—Octavio Paz
I am a man: little do I last
and the night is enormous.
But I look up:
the stars write.
Unknowing I understand:
I too am written,
and at this very moment
someone spells me out.
(trans. by Eliot Weinberger)
_______________________
A little Octavio Paz to give us paz on Mexican Independence Day. Otherwise, it's a day for Russell Edson:
THE HALF-AND-HALF MAN
—Russell Edson
A man had two feet. One was a woman, the other a man.
Appropriately one wore a woman's high-heeled shoe, the other a rough work boot.
And this was true of his hands and his nostrils and eyes. And this was true of his testicles, one of which was an ovary...
_______________________
THE FLOOR
—Russell Edson
The floor is something we must fight against. Whilst seemingly mere platform for the human stance, it is that place that men fall to.
I am not dizzy. I stand as a tower, a lighthouse; the pale ray of my sentiency flowing from my face.
But should I go dizzy I crash down into the floor; my face into the floor, my attention bleeding into the cracks of the floor.
Dear horizontal place, I do not wish to be a rug. Do not pull at the difficult head, this teetering bulb of dread and dream...
________________________
ON THE EATING OF MICE
—Russell Edson
A woman was roasting a mouse for her husband's dinner; then to serve it with a blueberry in its mouth.
At table he uses a dentist's pick and a surgeon's scalpel, bending over the tiny roastling with a jeweler's loupe...
Twenty years of this: curried mouse; garlic and butter mouse; mouse sauteed in its own fur; Salisbury mouse; mouse-in-the-trap, baked in the very trap that killed it; mouse tartare; mouse pouched in menstrual blood at the full of the moon...
Twenty years of this, eating their way through the mice... And yet, not to forget, each night one less vermin in the world...
________________________
THE PHILOSOPHERS
—Russell Edson
I think, therefore I am, said a man whose mother quickly hit him on the head, saying, I hit my son on his head, therefore I am.
No no, you've got it all wrong, cried the man.
So she hit him on the head again and cried, therefore I am.
You're not, not that way; you're supposed to think, not hit, cried the man.
...I think, therefore I am, said the man.
I hit, therefore we both are, the hitter and the one who gets hit, said the man's mother.
But at this point the man had ceased to be; unconscious he could not think. But his mother could. So she thought, I am, and so is my unconscious son, even if he doesn't know it...
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Friday, September 15, 2006
Pythagoras of the Pure Plain
SONG OF THE BARREN ORANGE TREE
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Woodcutter.
Cut my shadow from me.
Free me from the torment
of seeing myself without fruit.
Why was I born among mirrors?
The day walks in circles around me,
and the night copies me
in all its stars.
I want to live without seeing myself.
And I will dream that ants
and thistleburrs are my
leaves and my birds.
Woodcutter.
Cut my shadow from me.
Free me from the torment
of seeing myself without fruit.
(trans. by W.S. Merwin)
________________________
Come hear Lorca and other poets read in Spanish tonight at the annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac., 7:30 PM. Hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
Also This Weekend:
•••Tonight (Friday, 9/15), 7 PM: Our House Defines Art poetry reading features Stockton's David Humphreys of Poet's Corner Press and Paula Schiel. Free; an open mic follows. Our House Defines Art Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac. (Hwy 50), take the Latrobe exit off to the right (south) and turn left into the shopping center.
•••Saturday (9/16), 2-6 PM, drive up to Murphys to hear over 80 artists reading and playing to celebrate the new 188-page Vol. 5 of the anthology, Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra. Free. Open mic. Kautz Ironstone Winery; come early to meet writers, schmooze, wine-tasting, and have lunch.
•••Also Sat., 10-5 PM: The Central Valley Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc. presents The Antiquarian Book Fair at the Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sac. Thousands of rare books for sale from 60 dealers. $5 (under 18 free w/adult); there's a $1-off coupon in last week's Sac. News & Review. Info: 530-613-8421.
•••Also Sat., 7-9 PM: The Underground Poetry Series features Felicia McGee and Black Men Expressing Tour, plus open mic. Underground Books, 2814 35th St. (35th & Broadway), Sac. $3. If you would like to be a featured poet at future events, please contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Also Sat., 7 PM: Music, poetry and open mic with Groovy Judy and Patricity. Capital City Artist Collective, 4320 Stockton Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-801-8771.
•••Sun. (9/17), 1-5 PM: The Carmichael Library's reopening celebration, 5605 Marconi Av., Carmichael. Muriel Johnson, Cal. Arts Council Director, will be the keynote speaker. Free family activities, tours, refreshments. Info: 916-264-2920.
•••Sun. (9/17), 5 PM: Be Davison Herrera writes: INCLUSIONISTS, a 1000-member notion of literary, performing and visual artists on five continents, proudly announces the names of the “third wave of poets” to be nominated into the Sacramento International Poetry Hall of Fame. Join us on Sunday, September 17, during the Gala Banquet of the 6th Biennial Conference of the Vietnamese International Poetry Society (VIPS) at the Rice Bowl Banquet Hall, 2378 Florin Rd., Sac., to honor these leaders of 21st Century poetry and practice of WORD: Graciela Ramierez, Los Escritores del Nueva Sol; Lawrence Washington Brooks, ZICA; Le Trong Nghia, VIPS; Phil Goldvarg (In Memoriam); Sinh Quang Le, VIPS; Staajabu, Straight Out Scribes (east); V.S. Chochezi, Straight Out Scribes (west). This year’s third installation is supported by the International Exchange For The Arts, a California non-profit, public benefit corporation, and INCLUSIONISTS worldwide. Tickets for the banquet are $25. For more information about this event, about this weekend's International Poetry Festival, the sponsors, or the S.P.I.F. and its members, please contact raritie8@aol.com or call 541-752-0705.
•••And don't forget the Chicken Festival in Fair Oaks! Check The Sacramento Bee for details...
A Couple of Deadlines Today:
•••Deadline is September 15 for a collection of poems and short essays for an up-coming book, proceeds to benefit people displaced by the bombings in Lebanon. Editor Kim Shuck says: We want work addressing displacement, the experience of being a refugee and the hope that this will end soon. If you are interested in participating, please send your poem or essay of about one page in length, plus a five-line bio to kshuck@tsoft.net.
•••Deadline is also 9/15 for The Monterey Poetry Review, which is seeking submissions of poetry from writers who live in, or who have former or present ties to, the four counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara. Guidelines: Submit up to 6 poems, a short bio of several sentences, and a photo, and full contact info. All these must be submitted before poems will be considered by the editorial board. Email submissions are preferred. Send to: montereypoetryreview@gmail.com (or snail mail to: M. Lee, Editor, PO Box 5885, Monterey, CA 93944). Open to all styles, forms and lengths. Articles can be about current poetry venues, poets, interviews, reviews of recent books, or the craft of writing. Ads can also be sent in, preferably by Sept. 15 but no later than Sept. 30. They print and distribute 3,000 copies in four counties and are growing in area distribution in San Jose, SF and other cities. Cost for any size ad: $6.00 per square inch. Advertise your upcoming events (mid-Nov. 2006—Feb. 2007) books, chapbooks, business, business card, favorite charity.
fandrick Reads on Monday:
•••Monday, Sept. 18, 7:30 PM: The Sacramento Poetry Center presents frank andrick and friends. frank andrick is the author of Soluna, a collection of poetry and prose, as well as Aurelia Occultica Lamantia (AOL), a littlesnake broadside from Rattlesnake Press. He produces and anchors "The Pomo Literati," a monthly two-hour spoken word/poetry radio program broadcast on KUSF 90.3 FM in San Francisco, and he is one of the hosts of Poetry Unplugged at Luna's in Sacramento. A genre-bending mixed-media presenter, andrick's work can be found on the Web, as well as in the latest Rattlesnake Review (#11). Google him...he loves it. That's Monday at HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. (It will be good to see frank up and around again; he's been seriously under the weather.)
________________________
THE INTERRUPTED CONCERT
—Federico Garcia Lorca
The frozen sleepy pause
of the half moon
has broken the harmony
of the deep night.
The ditches, shrouded in sedge,
protest in silence,
and the frogs, muezzins of shadow,
have fallen silent.
In the old village inn
the sad music has ceased,
and the most ancient of stars
has muted its ray.
The wind has come to rest
in dark mountain caves,
and a solitary poplar—Pythagoras
of the pure plain—
lifts its aged hand
to strike at the moon.
(trans. by W.S. Merwin)
________________________
VARIATIONS
—Federico Garcia Lorca
The still waters of the air
under the bough of the echo.
The still waters of the water
under a frond of stars.
The still waters of your mouth
under a thicket of kisses.
(trans. by Lysander Kemp)
_______________________
IT IS TRUE
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Oh, what an effort it is
to love you as I do!
For love of you, the air,
my heart
and my hat hurt me.
Who will buy of me
this ribbon I have
and this grief of white
linen to make handkerchiefs?
Oh, what an effort it is
to love you as I do!
(trans. by Harriet de Onis)
_______________________
SCHEMATIC NOCTURNE
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Fennel, serpent and rush.
Aroma, scent and penumbra.
Air, earth and solitude.
(The ladder reaches to the moon.)
(trans. by Stanley Read)
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Woodcutter.
Cut my shadow from me.
Free me from the torment
of seeing myself without fruit.
Why was I born among mirrors?
The day walks in circles around me,
and the night copies me
in all its stars.
I want to live without seeing myself.
And I will dream that ants
and thistleburrs are my
leaves and my birds.
Woodcutter.
Cut my shadow from me.
Free me from the torment
of seeing myself without fruit.
(trans. by W.S. Merwin)
________________________
Come hear Lorca and other poets read in Spanish tonight at the annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac., 7:30 PM. Hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
Also This Weekend:
•••Tonight (Friday, 9/15), 7 PM: Our House Defines Art poetry reading features Stockton's David Humphreys of Poet's Corner Press and Paula Schiel. Free; an open mic follows. Our House Defines Art Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac. (Hwy 50), take the Latrobe exit off to the right (south) and turn left into the shopping center.
•••Saturday (9/16), 2-6 PM, drive up to Murphys to hear over 80 artists reading and playing to celebrate the new 188-page Vol. 5 of the anthology, Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra. Free. Open mic. Kautz Ironstone Winery; come early to meet writers, schmooze, wine-tasting, and have lunch.
•••Also Sat., 10-5 PM: The Central Valley Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc. presents The Antiquarian Book Fair at the Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sac. Thousands of rare books for sale from 60 dealers. $5 (under 18 free w/adult); there's a $1-off coupon in last week's Sac. News & Review. Info: 530-613-8421.
•••Also Sat., 7-9 PM: The Underground Poetry Series features Felicia McGee and Black Men Expressing Tour, plus open mic. Underground Books, 2814 35th St. (35th & Broadway), Sac. $3. If you would like to be a featured poet at future events, please contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Also Sat., 7 PM: Music, poetry and open mic with Groovy Judy and Patricity. Capital City Artist Collective, 4320 Stockton Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-801-8771.
•••Sun. (9/17), 1-5 PM: The Carmichael Library's reopening celebration, 5605 Marconi Av., Carmichael. Muriel Johnson, Cal. Arts Council Director, will be the keynote speaker. Free family activities, tours, refreshments. Info: 916-264-2920.
•••Sun. (9/17), 5 PM: Be Davison Herrera writes: INCLUSIONISTS, a 1000-member notion of literary, performing and visual artists on five continents, proudly announces the names of the “third wave of poets” to be nominated into the Sacramento International Poetry Hall of Fame. Join us on Sunday, September 17, during the Gala Banquet of the 6th Biennial Conference of the Vietnamese International Poetry Society (VIPS) at the Rice Bowl Banquet Hall, 2378 Florin Rd., Sac., to honor these leaders of 21st Century poetry and practice of WORD: Graciela Ramierez, Los Escritores del Nueva Sol; Lawrence Washington Brooks, ZICA; Le Trong Nghia, VIPS; Phil Goldvarg (In Memoriam); Sinh Quang Le, VIPS; Staajabu, Straight Out Scribes (east); V.S. Chochezi, Straight Out Scribes (west). This year’s third installation is supported by the International Exchange For The Arts, a California non-profit, public benefit corporation, and INCLUSIONISTS worldwide. Tickets for the banquet are $25. For more information about this event, about this weekend's International Poetry Festival, the sponsors, or the S.P.I.F. and its members, please contact raritie8@aol.com or call 541-752-0705.
•••And don't forget the Chicken Festival in Fair Oaks! Check The Sacramento Bee for details...
A Couple of Deadlines Today:
•••Deadline is September 15 for a collection of poems and short essays for an up-coming book, proceeds to benefit people displaced by the bombings in Lebanon. Editor Kim Shuck says: We want work addressing displacement, the experience of being a refugee and the hope that this will end soon. If you are interested in participating, please send your poem or essay of about one page in length, plus a five-line bio to kshuck@tsoft.net.
•••Deadline is also 9/15 for The Monterey Poetry Review, which is seeking submissions of poetry from writers who live in, or who have former or present ties to, the four counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara. Guidelines: Submit up to 6 poems, a short bio of several sentences, and a photo, and full contact info. All these must be submitted before poems will be considered by the editorial board. Email submissions are preferred. Send to: montereypoetryreview@gmail.com (or snail mail to: M. Lee, Editor, PO Box 5885, Monterey, CA 93944). Open to all styles, forms and lengths. Articles can be about current poetry venues, poets, interviews, reviews of recent books, or the craft of writing. Ads can also be sent in, preferably by Sept. 15 but no later than Sept. 30. They print and distribute 3,000 copies in four counties and are growing in area distribution in San Jose, SF and other cities. Cost for any size ad: $6.00 per square inch. Advertise your upcoming events (mid-Nov. 2006—Feb. 2007) books, chapbooks, business, business card, favorite charity.
fandrick Reads on Monday:
•••Monday, Sept. 18, 7:30 PM: The Sacramento Poetry Center presents frank andrick and friends. frank andrick is the author of Soluna, a collection of poetry and prose, as well as Aurelia Occultica Lamantia (AOL), a littlesnake broadside from Rattlesnake Press. He produces and anchors "The Pomo Literati," a monthly two-hour spoken word/poetry radio program broadcast on KUSF 90.3 FM in San Francisco, and he is one of the hosts of Poetry Unplugged at Luna's in Sacramento. A genre-bending mixed-media presenter, andrick's work can be found on the Web, as well as in the latest Rattlesnake Review (#11). Google him...he loves it. That's Monday at HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. (It will be good to see frank up and around again; he's been seriously under the weather.)
________________________
THE INTERRUPTED CONCERT
—Federico Garcia Lorca
The frozen sleepy pause
of the half moon
has broken the harmony
of the deep night.
The ditches, shrouded in sedge,
protest in silence,
and the frogs, muezzins of shadow,
have fallen silent.
In the old village inn
the sad music has ceased,
and the most ancient of stars
has muted its ray.
The wind has come to rest
in dark mountain caves,
and a solitary poplar—Pythagoras
of the pure plain—
lifts its aged hand
to strike at the moon.
(trans. by W.S. Merwin)
________________________
VARIATIONS
—Federico Garcia Lorca
The still waters of the air
under the bough of the echo.
The still waters of the water
under a frond of stars.
The still waters of your mouth
under a thicket of kisses.
(trans. by Lysander Kemp)
_______________________
IT IS TRUE
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Oh, what an effort it is
to love you as I do!
For love of you, the air,
my heart
and my hat hurt me.
Who will buy of me
this ribbon I have
and this grief of white
linen to make handkerchiefs?
Oh, what an effort it is
to love you as I do!
(trans. by Harriet de Onis)
_______________________
SCHEMATIC NOCTURNE
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Fennel, serpent and rush.
Aroma, scent and penumbra.
Air, earth and solitude.
(The ladder reaches to the moon.)
(trans. by Stanley Read)
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Beneath the Serpent-spotted Shell
LOVE THAT I BEAR
—H.D.
Love that I bear
within my heart, O speak;
tell how beneath the serpent-spotted shell,
the cygnets wait,
how the soft owl
opens and flicks with pride,
eye-lids of great bird-eyes,
when underneath its breast,
the owlets shrink and turn.
_______________________
FROM CITRON-BOWER
—H.D.
From citron-bower be her bed,
cut from branch of tree a-flower,
fashioned for her maidenhead.
From Lydian apples, sweet of hue,
cut the width of board and lathe,
carve the feet from myrtle-wood.
Let the palings of her bed
be quince and box-wood overlaid
with the scented bark of yew.
That all the wood in blossoming,
may calm her heart and cool her blood,
for losing of her maidenhood.
_______________________
•••Tonight (9/14), 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Marian Jones. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free.
•••Also tonight (9/14), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real, guests and open mic for comedians, singers, poets. The Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
_______________________
HEAT
—H.D.
O wind, rend open the heat,
cut apart the heat,
rend it to tatters.
Fruit cannot drop
through this thick air—
fruit cannot fall into heat
that presses up and blunts
the points of pears
and rounds the grapes.
Cut the heat—
plough through it,
turning it on either side
of your path.
_______________________
SEA POPPIES
—H.D.
Amber husk,
fluted with gold,
fruit on the sand,
marked with a rich grain,
treasure,
spilled near the shrub-pines
to bleach on the boulders:
your stalk has caught root
among wet pebbles
and drift flung by the sea
and grated shells
and split conch-shells.
Beautiful, wide-spread,
fire upon leaf,
what meadow yields
so fragrant a leaf
as your bright leaf?
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
—H.D.
Love that I bear
within my heart, O speak;
tell how beneath the serpent-spotted shell,
the cygnets wait,
how the soft owl
opens and flicks with pride,
eye-lids of great bird-eyes,
when underneath its breast,
the owlets shrink and turn.
_______________________
FROM CITRON-BOWER
—H.D.
From citron-bower be her bed,
cut from branch of tree a-flower,
fashioned for her maidenhead.
From Lydian apples, sweet of hue,
cut the width of board and lathe,
carve the feet from myrtle-wood.
Let the palings of her bed
be quince and box-wood overlaid
with the scented bark of yew.
That all the wood in blossoming,
may calm her heart and cool her blood,
for losing of her maidenhood.
_______________________
•••Tonight (9/14), 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Marian Jones. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free.
•••Also tonight (9/14), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real, guests and open mic for comedians, singers, poets. The Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
_______________________
HEAT
—H.D.
O wind, rend open the heat,
cut apart the heat,
rend it to tatters.
Fruit cannot drop
through this thick air—
fruit cannot fall into heat
that presses up and blunts
the points of pears
and rounds the grapes.
Cut the heat—
plough through it,
turning it on either side
of your path.
_______________________
SEA POPPIES
—H.D.
Amber husk,
fluted with gold,
fruit on the sand,
marked with a rich grain,
treasure,
spilled near the shrub-pines
to bleach on the boulders:
your stalk has caught root
among wet pebbles
and drift flung by the sea
and grated shells
and split conch-shells.
Beautiful, wide-spread,
fire upon leaf,
what meadow yields
so fragrant a leaf
as your bright leaf?
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Spiders at Puppetry
SNAIL
—Federico Garcia Lorca
They have brought me a snail.
Inside it sings
a map-green ocean.
My heart
swells with water,
with small fish
of brown and silver.
They have brought me a snail.
(trans. by William Jay Smith)
_______________________
This Friday, 9/15 (NOT Sat. 9/16 as listed in Poetry Now) at 7:30 PM, Lorca will be read in Spanish at the annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac. Come hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
Lots of Choices Tonight:
•••Tonight, Sept. 13, 7:30 PM, Rattlesnake Press will be releasing Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems by Phil Weidman at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Also being released that night: a littlesnake broadside, Potpourri, from Sacramento Poet Patricia A. Pashby. Refreshments and a read-around will follow; bring your own poems or somebody else’s. Free.
•••Also tonight (9/13), 5-8 PM: Be Davison Herrera and friends will be continuing a celebration of her husband, Jack's, 75th birthday with a COMET & STAR performance and exhibition of hand-painted poetry banners at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sac. The gathering time is 5-8 PM, with WORD and music starting at 6.
•••Also tonight (9/13), 10-midnight: Mahogany Poets presents Mics and Moods at Capitol Garage, 1500 K St., Sac. Features and Open Mic; 21 and older. $5. Info: 916-492-9336 or www.malikspeaks.com.
•••And in Chico, tonight, the free monthly “Telling Our Stories” writing workshops will meet the second Wednesday of each month starting in September, 6:30-8 PM, Enloe Cancer Center Library, Fountain Medical Plaza, 251 Cohasset Rd. (across from Chico Sports Club), Chico. Info: 530-332-3856.
Got a Concise, Amazing, Contemporary One For WriterAdvice?
B. Lynn Goodwin writes: Do you have a short poem to share with the readers of WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com? I'm looking for a couple of concise, amazing, contemporary poems for the October-November issue. Please submit your best work asap. Cut and paste it into the body of an e-mail and send it to Lgood67334@comcast.net with Poetry for WriterAdvice in the subject box.
________________________
THE STREET OF THE MUTES
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Behind the rigid panes
the girls play games with their smiles.
(Spiders at puppetry
in the empty pianos.)
The girls talk to their suitors,
shaking their tight braids.
(World of the fan,
the handkerchief and the hand.)
The gallants reply, making
with their black cloaks wings and flowers.
(trans. by W. S. Merwin)
________________________
HE DIED AT DAWN
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Night of four moons
and one lone tree,
with one lone shadow
and one lone bird.
I seek in my flesh
the tracks of your lips.
The fountain kisses the wind
without touch.
I carry the No that you gave me
in the palm of my hand,
like a lemon of wax
almost white.
Night of four moons
and one lone tree.
On a pin's point
my love is spinning!
(trans. by Greville Texidor)
_______________________
THE SPINSTER AT MASS
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Beneath the Moses of the incense,
drowsing.
Bull eyes observe you.
Your rosary raining.
In that dress of silk so dense,
never stir, Virginia.
Give the black melons of your breasts
to the murmur of the mass.
(trans. by Edwin Honig)
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
—Federico Garcia Lorca
They have brought me a snail.
Inside it sings
a map-green ocean.
My heart
swells with water,
with small fish
of brown and silver.
They have brought me a snail.
(trans. by William Jay Smith)
_______________________
This Friday, 9/15 (NOT Sat. 9/16 as listed in Poetry Now) at 7:30 PM, Lorca will be read in Spanish at the annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac. Come hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
Lots of Choices Tonight:
•••Tonight, Sept. 13, 7:30 PM, Rattlesnake Press will be releasing Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems by Phil Weidman at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Also being released that night: a littlesnake broadside, Potpourri, from Sacramento Poet Patricia A. Pashby. Refreshments and a read-around will follow; bring your own poems or somebody else’s. Free.
•••Also tonight (9/13), 5-8 PM: Be Davison Herrera and friends will be continuing a celebration of her husband, Jack's, 75th birthday with a COMET & STAR performance and exhibition of hand-painted poetry banners at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sac. The gathering time is 5-8 PM, with WORD and music starting at 6.
•••Also tonight (9/13), 10-midnight: Mahogany Poets presents Mics and Moods at Capitol Garage, 1500 K St., Sac. Features and Open Mic; 21 and older. $5. Info: 916-492-9336 or www.malikspeaks.com.
•••And in Chico, tonight, the free monthly “Telling Our Stories” writing workshops will meet the second Wednesday of each month starting in September, 6:30-8 PM, Enloe Cancer Center Library, Fountain Medical Plaza, 251 Cohasset Rd. (across from Chico Sports Club), Chico. Info: 530-332-3856.
Got a Concise, Amazing, Contemporary One For WriterAdvice?
B. Lynn Goodwin writes: Do you have a short poem to share with the readers of WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com? I'm looking for a couple of concise, amazing, contemporary poems for the October-November issue. Please submit your best work asap. Cut and paste it into the body of an e-mail and send it to Lgood67334@comcast.net with Poetry for WriterAdvice in the subject box.
________________________
THE STREET OF THE MUTES
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Behind the rigid panes
the girls play games with their smiles.
(Spiders at puppetry
in the empty pianos.)
The girls talk to their suitors,
shaking their tight braids.
(World of the fan,
the handkerchief and the hand.)
The gallants reply, making
with their black cloaks wings and flowers.
(trans. by W. S. Merwin)
________________________
HE DIED AT DAWN
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Night of four moons
and one lone tree,
with one lone shadow
and one lone bird.
I seek in my flesh
the tracks of your lips.
The fountain kisses the wind
without touch.
I carry the No that you gave me
in the palm of my hand,
like a lemon of wax
almost white.
Night of four moons
and one lone tree.
On a pin's point
my love is spinning!
(trans. by Greville Texidor)
_______________________
THE SPINSTER AT MASS
—Federico Garcia Lorca
Beneath the Moses of the incense,
drowsing.
Bull eyes observe you.
Your rosary raining.
In that dress of silk so dense,
never stir, Virginia.
Give the black melons of your breasts
to the murmur of the mass.
(trans. by Edwin Honig)
_______________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Toxic Bards
What are the crosswalks for in midtown Sacramento—
so many motorists won't let pedestrians get to the other side
I had to park my car across the street on Alhambra and Granada
and cross to get to the Jamba Juice
and a car zooms by almost over my foot on the crosswalk
only a bicyclist takes concern when I scream at the driver
Midtown pedestrians can't believe it when I kindly stop for them
I've rolled down my window to confirm, "Yes, you may cross now"
Many have actually smiled and said "Thanks"
But I know one of these days I'll get rear-ended for it
for being right and polite with my vehicle
—Michelle Kunert, Sacramento
_______________________
Thanks, Michelle!
Boot Camp:
Molly Fisk writes: The September Boot Camp begins a week from Sunday: 9/24-29, and there's lots of room. Remember you can do the regular, write-a-poem-every-day camp, if you want to generate new work, or the old-poem camp, where you get critiques on already-written work—it's a little less time-consuming (but not quite as exciting). Either way, I'd love to have you. Info: http://www.poetrybootcamp.com.
More for this week's way-chubby calendar!
•••Weds. (9/13): The free monthly “Telling Our Stories” writing workshops will meet the second Wednesday of each month starting in September, 6:30-8 PM, Enloe Cancer Center Library, Fountain Medical Plaza, 251 Cohasset Rd. (across from Chico Sports Club), Chico. Info: 530-332-3856. Our mission is to enable patients and survivors, their families, friends, caregivers and the general public to tell their stories and to share them at whatever level is right for them. Some may wish to keep a personal journal. Some might want to capture life stories to share with their families or pass on to their children as stories or poems. Others may be willing to write their story and place it in our Enloe Cancer Center binder, post it on our web page, or read it aloud to a group. Our mission is to support this process by providing technical assistance, moral support and venues for sharing.
•••Sunday (9/17), 2:30-4:30 PM: Poets on the Ridge Poetry Readings/Open Mic. at Juice & Java, 7067 Skyway, Paradise. All ages are invited to read their poems at this monthly poetry series. Info: 530-872-9633.
Ophidian Bon Mots:
Putting together a publication can yield a few unexpected gems. During the recent typing of Rattlesnake Review #11, I typed the word, Mothodists, instead of Methodists, in Laura LeHew's wonderful poem about family and religion. Although it was an appropros mis-speak, I did fix it, in the name of propriety. David Humphreys referred to a "toxic bard" when he meant "toxic barb"; I reluctantly changed that one, too.
Be sure to get ahold of your copy of the newest Review so you can check out other wonderful poems which start with intriguing lines like, "Frank—you name-dropping whore" and "Naked and wildly drunk..." I'm having (temporary) printer troubles, but we should have copies tomorrow night for those who are fortunate enough to attend Phil Weidman's book release at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac., 7:30 PM. The "Frank" referred to is our Sacramento Treasure frank andrick, who is, unfortunately, under the weather these days; keep sending him good thoughts. Frank will be reading at the Sacramento Poetry Center next Monday night. Check out his poems (in french as well as English, oo la la!) in this new Review, as well as his littlesnake broadside, Aurelia Occultica Lamantia (AOL), which is available for free here and there.
_______________________
BIRDS, AT RANDOM
—Jacques Prevert
I learned very late to love birds
I regret it a little
but now it's all arranged
we understand each other
they don't occupy themselves with me
I don't occupy myself with them
I look at them
I leave them alone
all the birds do their best
they set an example
not the example as for example Mister Glacis
who remarkably courageously conducted himself
during the war or the example of little Paul
who was so poor and so handsome and so very honest
and who later became the great Paul so rich
so old so honorable and so repulsive and so
avaricous and so charitable and so pious
or for example that old servant who had an
exemplary life and death never any arguments
not that with her nail tapping a tooth not that
no arguments with Mr. or Mrs. on the subject of that
frightful question of salaries
no
birds set an example
a proper example
the example of birds
the example of the feathers the wings the flight of birds
the example of the nests the voyages and the songs of birds
the example of the beauty of birds
the example of the heart of birds
the light of birds.
________________________
AT THE FLORIST'S
—Jacques Prevert
A man enters a florist's
and chooses some flowers
the florist wraps up the flowers
the man puts his hand in his pocket
to find the money
the money to pay for the flowers
but at the same time he puts
all of a sudden
his hand on his heart
and he falls
At the same time that he falls
the money rolls on the floor
and then the flowers fall
at the same time as the man
at the same time as the money
and the florist stands there
with the money rolling
with the flowers spoiling
with the man dying
obviously all this is very sad
and she's got to do something
the florist
but she doesn't know quite where to start
she doesn't know
at which end to begin
There's so many things to do
with this man dying
with these flowers spoiling
and this money
this money that rolls
that doesn't stop rolling.
________________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
so many motorists won't let pedestrians get to the other side
I had to park my car across the street on Alhambra and Granada
and cross to get to the Jamba Juice
and a car zooms by almost over my foot on the crosswalk
only a bicyclist takes concern when I scream at the driver
Midtown pedestrians can't believe it when I kindly stop for them
I've rolled down my window to confirm, "Yes, you may cross now"
Many have actually smiled and said "Thanks"
But I know one of these days I'll get rear-ended for it
for being right and polite with my vehicle
—Michelle Kunert, Sacramento
_______________________
Thanks, Michelle!
Boot Camp:
Molly Fisk writes: The September Boot Camp begins a week from Sunday: 9/24-29, and there's lots of room. Remember you can do the regular, write-a-poem-every-day camp, if you want to generate new work, or the old-poem camp, where you get critiques on already-written work—it's a little less time-consuming (but not quite as exciting). Either way, I'd love to have you. Info: http://www.poetrybootcamp.com.
More for this week's way-chubby calendar!
•••Weds. (9/13): The free monthly “Telling Our Stories” writing workshops will meet the second Wednesday of each month starting in September, 6:30-8 PM, Enloe Cancer Center Library, Fountain Medical Plaza, 251 Cohasset Rd. (across from Chico Sports Club), Chico. Info: 530-332-3856. Our mission is to enable patients and survivors, their families, friends, caregivers and the general public to tell their stories and to share them at whatever level is right for them. Some may wish to keep a personal journal. Some might want to capture life stories to share with their families or pass on to their children as stories or poems. Others may be willing to write their story and place it in our Enloe Cancer Center binder, post it on our web page, or read it aloud to a group. Our mission is to support this process by providing technical assistance, moral support and venues for sharing.
•••Sunday (9/17), 2:30-4:30 PM: Poets on the Ridge Poetry Readings/Open Mic. at Juice & Java, 7067 Skyway, Paradise. All ages are invited to read their poems at this monthly poetry series. Info: 530-872-9633.
Ophidian Bon Mots:
Putting together a publication can yield a few unexpected gems. During the recent typing of Rattlesnake Review #11, I typed the word, Mothodists, instead of Methodists, in Laura LeHew's wonderful poem about family and religion. Although it was an appropros mis-speak, I did fix it, in the name of propriety. David Humphreys referred to a "toxic bard" when he meant "toxic barb"; I reluctantly changed that one, too.
Be sure to get ahold of your copy of the newest Review so you can check out other wonderful poems which start with intriguing lines like, "Frank—you name-dropping whore" and "Naked and wildly drunk..." I'm having (temporary) printer troubles, but we should have copies tomorrow night for those who are fortunate enough to attend Phil Weidman's book release at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac., 7:30 PM. The "Frank" referred to is our Sacramento Treasure frank andrick, who is, unfortunately, under the weather these days; keep sending him good thoughts. Frank will be reading at the Sacramento Poetry Center next Monday night. Check out his poems (in french as well as English, oo la la!) in this new Review, as well as his littlesnake broadside, Aurelia Occultica Lamantia (AOL), which is available for free here and there.
_______________________
BIRDS, AT RANDOM
—Jacques Prevert
I learned very late to love birds
I regret it a little
but now it's all arranged
we understand each other
they don't occupy themselves with me
I don't occupy myself with them
I look at them
I leave them alone
all the birds do their best
they set an example
not the example as for example Mister Glacis
who remarkably courageously conducted himself
during the war or the example of little Paul
who was so poor and so handsome and so very honest
and who later became the great Paul so rich
so old so honorable and so repulsive and so
avaricous and so charitable and so pious
or for example that old servant who had an
exemplary life and death never any arguments
not that with her nail tapping a tooth not that
no arguments with Mr. or Mrs. on the subject of that
frightful question of salaries
no
birds set an example
a proper example
the example of birds
the example of the feathers the wings the flight of birds
the example of the nests the voyages and the songs of birds
the example of the beauty of birds
the example of the heart of birds
the light of birds.
________________________
AT THE FLORIST'S
—Jacques Prevert
A man enters a florist's
and chooses some flowers
the florist wraps up the flowers
the man puts his hand in his pocket
to find the money
the money to pay for the flowers
but at the same time he puts
all of a sudden
his hand on his heart
and he falls
At the same time that he falls
the money rolls on the floor
and then the flowers fall
at the same time as the man
at the same time as the money
and the florist stands there
with the money rolling
with the flowers spoiling
with the man dying
obviously all this is very sad
and she's got to do something
the florist
but she doesn't know quite where to start
she doesn't know
at which end to begin
There's so many things to do
with this man dying
with these flowers spoiling
and this money
this money that rolls
that doesn't stop rolling.
________________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Put on Your Listening Shoes: Po-events 9/11-17
PERFECT GIFT
—David Humphreys, Stockton
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the place of lights, where there is no variation or shadow due to change.
—Book of James, 17:22
Today is our wedding anniversary,
102° and just as hot as the first
time I laid eyes on you and you served
lunch in the back garden and we
didn’t stop talking for three hours.
That was a long time ago down near
the linear accelerator with the golden
grass hills and dark green oaks that
have always reminded you of Africa
and lions sleeping in acacia thorn trees.
Outside now, the street noise has
grown like a river spilling over a dam
as they fill up the valley with houses,
time like a beard turned gray on the
happiest day of your life.
On Saturday four of us go to see Monet
at the Legion of Honor and then the
Gee’s Bend quilt color patterns of
saxophone jazz and then over to
Grace Cathedral to walk the tranquility
of the Labyrinth. You see Monet up closer
than you ever have, moving to see the different
mineral lights on the surface. It is like grains of sand,
each minute grain a complimenting bright crystal
color and how did he ever have the time for such
overwhelming detail?
Day of wonders, that might have been taken away
in an instant toxic barb in the heart,
larger than life itself, smiling as wide and lovely
as the day you said “I do.”
_______________________
Thanks, David! David Humphreys' poems will appear in Rattlesnake Review #11, due out beginning this Wednesday. (I say "beginning" because they get distributed as they come off the press, which takes about a week. Subscribers won't get theirs til next week.) David and Paula Schiel (remember ¡Zambomba! in Stockton?) will be reading at Our House Defines Art in El Dorado Hills this Friday; see below for details.
This is a busy week for area readings!
•••Tonight (9/11), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents a reader TBA announced by Host Indigo Moor. SPC/HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. Info: 451-5569. Free. Open Mic.
•••On Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:30 PM, Rattlesnake Press will be releasing Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems by Phil Weidman at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Also being released that night: a littlesnake broadside, Potpourri, from Sacramento Poet Patricia A. Pashby. Refreshments and a read-around will follow; bring your own poems or somebody else’s. Free.
•••Wednesday (9/13), 5-8 PM: Be Davison Herrera and friends will be continuing a celebration of her husband, Jack's, 75th birthday with a COMET & STAR performance and exhibition of hand-painted poetry banners at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sac. The gathering time is 5-8 PM, with WORD and music starting at 6.
•••Also Wed. (9/13), 10-midnight: Mahogany Poets presents Mics and Moods at Capitol Garage, 1500 K St., Sac. Features and Open Mic; 21 and older. $5. Info: 916-492-9336 or www.malikspeaks.com.
•••Thursday (9/14), 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Marian Jones. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free.
•••Thursday (9/14), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real, guests and open mic for comedians, singers, poets. The Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
•••Friday (9/15), 7 PM: Our House Defines Art poetry reading features Stockton's David Humphreys of Poet's Corner Press and Paula Schiel. Free; an open mic follows. Our House Defines Art Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac., take the Latrobe exit off to the right (south) and turn left into the shopping center.
•••Friday (9/15)—NOT Sat. 9/16 as listed in Poetry Now—7:30 PM: The annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac. Come hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
•••Deadline is September 15 for a collection of poems and short essays for an up-coming book, proceeds to benefit people displaced by the bombings in Lebanon. Editor Kim Shuck says: We want work addressing displacement, the experience of being a refugee and the hope that this will end soon. If you are interested in participating, please send your poem or essay of about one page in length, plus a five-line bio to kshuck@tsoft.net.
•••Deadline is also 9/15 for The Monterey Poetry Review, which is seeking submissions of poetry from writers who live in, or who have former or present ties to, the four counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara. Guidelines: Submit up to 6 poems, a short bio of several sentences, and a photo, and full contact info. All these must be submitted before poems will be considered by the editorial board. Email submissions are preferred. Send to: montereypoetryreview@gmail.com (or snail mail to: M. Lee, Editor, PO Box 5885, Monterey, CA 93944). Open to all styles, forms and lengths. Articles can be about current poetry venues, poets, interviews, reviews of recent books, or the craft of writing. Ads can also be sent in, preferably by Sept. 15 but no later than Sept. 30. They print and distribute 3,000 copies in four counties and are growing in area distribution in San Jose, SF and other cities. Cost for any size ad: $6.00 per square inch. Advertise your upcoming events (mid-Nov. 2006—Feb. 2007) books, chapbooks, business, business card, favorite charity.
•••Saturday (9/16), 2-6 PM, drive up to Murphys to hear over 80 artists reading and playing to celebrate the new 188-page Vol. 5 of the anthology, Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra. Free. Open mic. Kautz Ironstone Winery; come early to meet writers, schmooze, wine-tasting, and have lunch.
•••Saturday (9/16), The Underground Poetry Series features Felicia McGee and Black Men Expressing Tour, plus open mic. Underground Books, 2814 35th St. (35th & Broadway), Sac., 7-9 PM. $3. If you would like to be a featured poet at future events, please contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Sat. (9/16), 10-5 PM: The Central Valley Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc. presents The Antiquarian Book Fair at the Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sac. Thousands of rare books for sale from 60 dealers. $5 (under 18 free w/adult); there's a $1-off coupon in last week's Sac. News & Review. Info: 530-613-8421.
•••Sun. (9/17), 1-5 PM: The Carmichael Library's reopening celebration, 5605 Marconi Av., Carmichael. Muriel Johnson, Cal. Arts Council Director, will be the keynote speaker. Free family activities, tours, refreshments. Info: 916-264-2920.
•••Sun. (9/17), 5 PM: Be Davison Herrera writes: INCLUSIONISTS, a 1000-member notion of literary, performing and visual artists on five continents, proudly announces the names of the “third wave of poets” to be nominated into the Sacramento International Poetry Hall of Fame. Join us on Sunday, September 17, during the Gala Banquet of the 6th Biennial Conference of the Vietnamese International Poetry Society (VIPS) at the Rice Bowl Banquet Hall, 2378 Florin Rd., Sac., to honor these leaders of 21st Century poetry and practice of WORD: Graciela Ramierez, Los Escritores del Nueva Sol; Lawrence Washington Brooks, ZICA; Le Trong Nghia, VIPS; Phil Goldvarg (In Memoriam); Sinh Quang Le, VIPS; Staajabu, Straight Out Scribes (east); V.S. Chochezi, Straight Out Scribes (west).
The Hall of Fame was inaugurated during the first Sacramento International Poetry Festival (SIPF) in 1999, with support from the Multi-Cultural Center at California State University, Sacramento and members of the Poet Laureate Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. The first members were Ethel Ballard, Luke Breit, Carol and LaVerne Frith, Be Davison Herrera and Jose Montoya. At the second SIPF in 2001, the baton was picked up by the Sacramento Poetry Center, Urban Voices, and wide community involvement to support the addition of Traci Gourdine, B.L. Kennedy and Joe Montoya to the Hall of Fame. This year’s third installation is supported by the International Exchange For The Arts, a California non-profit, public benefit corporation, and INCLUSIONISTS worldwide. Tickets for the banquet are $25. For more information about this event, about this weekend's International Poetry Festival, the sponsors, or the S.P.I.F. and its members, please contact raritie8@aol.com or call 541-752-0705.
______________________
Yikes! Looks like the season is getting into full swing! Have I missed anybody?
Today, D.H. Lawrence would've been 119 years old. My favorite poem of his is, of course, "The Snake", but here is a different sample:
WINTER IN THE BOULEVARD
—D.H. Lawrence
The frost has settled down upon the trees
And ruthlessly strangled off the fantasies
Of leaves that have gone unnoticed, swept like old
Romantic stories now no more to be told.
The trees down the boulevard stand naked in thought
Their abundant summer wordage silence, caught
In the grim undertow; naked the trees confront
Implacable winter's long, cross-questioning brunt.
Has some hand balanced more leaves in the depths of the twigs?
Some dim little efforts placed in the threads of the birch?—
It is only the sparrows, like dead black leaves on the sprigs,
Sitting huddled against the cerulean, one flesh with their perch.
The clear, cold sky coldly bethinks itself.
Like vivid thought the air spins bright, and all
Trees, birds, and earth, arrested in the after-thought,
Awaiting the sentence out from the welkin brought.
________________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
—David Humphreys, Stockton
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the place of lights, where there is no variation or shadow due to change.
—Book of James, 17:22
Today is our wedding anniversary,
102° and just as hot as the first
time I laid eyes on you and you served
lunch in the back garden and we
didn’t stop talking for three hours.
That was a long time ago down near
the linear accelerator with the golden
grass hills and dark green oaks that
have always reminded you of Africa
and lions sleeping in acacia thorn trees.
Outside now, the street noise has
grown like a river spilling over a dam
as they fill up the valley with houses,
time like a beard turned gray on the
happiest day of your life.
On Saturday four of us go to see Monet
at the Legion of Honor and then the
Gee’s Bend quilt color patterns of
saxophone jazz and then over to
Grace Cathedral to walk the tranquility
of the Labyrinth. You see Monet up closer
than you ever have, moving to see the different
mineral lights on the surface. It is like grains of sand,
each minute grain a complimenting bright crystal
color and how did he ever have the time for such
overwhelming detail?
Day of wonders, that might have been taken away
in an instant toxic barb in the heart,
larger than life itself, smiling as wide and lovely
as the day you said “I do.”
_______________________
Thanks, David! David Humphreys' poems will appear in Rattlesnake Review #11, due out beginning this Wednesday. (I say "beginning" because they get distributed as they come off the press, which takes about a week. Subscribers won't get theirs til next week.) David and Paula Schiel (remember ¡Zambomba! in Stockton?) will be reading at Our House Defines Art in El Dorado Hills this Friday; see below for details.
This is a busy week for area readings!
•••Tonight (9/11), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents a reader TBA announced by Host Indigo Moor. SPC/HQ for the Arts, 25th & R Sts., Sac. Info: 451-5569. Free. Open Mic.
•••On Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:30 PM, Rattlesnake Press will be releasing Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems by Phil Weidman at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Also being released that night: a littlesnake broadside, Potpourri, from Sacramento Poet Patricia A. Pashby. Refreshments and a read-around will follow; bring your own poems or somebody else’s. Free.
•••Wednesday (9/13), 5-8 PM: Be Davison Herrera and friends will be continuing a celebration of her husband, Jack's, 75th birthday with a COMET & STAR performance and exhibition of hand-painted poetry banners at Luna's Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sac. The gathering time is 5-8 PM, with WORD and music starting at 6.
•••Also Wed. (9/13), 10-midnight: Mahogany Poets presents Mics and Moods at Capitol Garage, 1500 K St., Sac. Features and Open Mic; 21 and older. $5. Info: 916-492-9336 or www.malikspeaks.com.
•••Thursday (9/14), 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Marian Jones. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free.
•••Thursday (9/14), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real, guests and open mic for comedians, singers, poets. The Cobbler Inn, 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
•••Friday (9/15), 7 PM: Our House Defines Art poetry reading features Stockton's David Humphreys of Poet's Corner Press and Paula Schiel. Free; an open mic follows. Our House Defines Art Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac., take the Latrobe exit off to the right (south) and turn left into the shopping center.
•••Friday (9/15)—NOT Sat. 9/16 as listed in Poetry Now—7:30 PM: The annual all-Spanish reading to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, sponsored by the Writers of the New Sun/Escritores del Nuevo Sol. Mariposa Hall, Rm. 1000, CSUS, 6000 J St., Sac. Come hear the poetry of two immortal poets of the Generation of 27: Rafael Alberti and Federico Garcia Lorca, as well as poems from Dr. Fausto Avendano and Mariela Santana; plus, you are invited to read your favorite poem in Spanish during the open mic. Donation $5/$3 for students/members, but no one turned away for lack of money. (NOTE: Campus parking is $2.75. Pay at self-serve kiosks in parking lots. Campus map: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/location3.htm)
•••Deadline is September 15 for a collection of poems and short essays for an up-coming book, proceeds to benefit people displaced by the bombings in Lebanon. Editor Kim Shuck says: We want work addressing displacement, the experience of being a refugee and the hope that this will end soon. If you are interested in participating, please send your poem or essay of about one page in length, plus a five-line bio to kshuck@tsoft.net.
•••Deadline is also 9/15 for The Monterey Poetry Review, which is seeking submissions of poetry from writers who live in, or who have former or present ties to, the four counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara. Guidelines: Submit up to 6 poems, a short bio of several sentences, and a photo, and full contact info. All these must be submitted before poems will be considered by the editorial board. Email submissions are preferred. Send to: montereypoetryreview@gmail.com (or snail mail to: M. Lee, Editor, PO Box 5885, Monterey, CA 93944). Open to all styles, forms and lengths. Articles can be about current poetry venues, poets, interviews, reviews of recent books, or the craft of writing. Ads can also be sent in, preferably by Sept. 15 but no later than Sept. 30. They print and distribute 3,000 copies in four counties and are growing in area distribution in San Jose, SF and other cities. Cost for any size ad: $6.00 per square inch. Advertise your upcoming events (mid-Nov. 2006—Feb. 2007) books, chapbooks, business, business card, favorite charity.
•••Saturday (9/16), 2-6 PM, drive up to Murphys to hear over 80 artists reading and playing to celebrate the new 188-page Vol. 5 of the anthology, Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra. Free. Open mic. Kautz Ironstone Winery; come early to meet writers, schmooze, wine-tasting, and have lunch.
•••Saturday (9/16), The Underground Poetry Series features Felicia McGee and Black Men Expressing Tour, plus open mic. Underground Books, 2814 35th St. (35th & Broadway), Sac., 7-9 PM. $3. If you would like to be a featured poet at future events, please contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Sat. (9/16), 10-5 PM: The Central Valley Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc. presents The Antiquarian Book Fair at the Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sac. Thousands of rare books for sale from 60 dealers. $5 (under 18 free w/adult); there's a $1-off coupon in last week's Sac. News & Review. Info: 530-613-8421.
•••Sun. (9/17), 1-5 PM: The Carmichael Library's reopening celebration, 5605 Marconi Av., Carmichael. Muriel Johnson, Cal. Arts Council Director, will be the keynote speaker. Free family activities, tours, refreshments. Info: 916-264-2920.
•••Sun. (9/17), 5 PM: Be Davison Herrera writes: INCLUSIONISTS, a 1000-member notion of literary, performing and visual artists on five continents, proudly announces the names of the “third wave of poets” to be nominated into the Sacramento International Poetry Hall of Fame. Join us on Sunday, September 17, during the Gala Banquet of the 6th Biennial Conference of the Vietnamese International Poetry Society (VIPS) at the Rice Bowl Banquet Hall, 2378 Florin Rd., Sac., to honor these leaders of 21st Century poetry and practice of WORD: Graciela Ramierez, Los Escritores del Nueva Sol; Lawrence Washington Brooks, ZICA; Le Trong Nghia, VIPS; Phil Goldvarg (In Memoriam); Sinh Quang Le, VIPS; Staajabu, Straight Out Scribes (east); V.S. Chochezi, Straight Out Scribes (west).
The Hall of Fame was inaugurated during the first Sacramento International Poetry Festival (SIPF) in 1999, with support from the Multi-Cultural Center at California State University, Sacramento and members of the Poet Laureate Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. The first members were Ethel Ballard, Luke Breit, Carol and LaVerne Frith, Be Davison Herrera and Jose Montoya. At the second SIPF in 2001, the baton was picked up by the Sacramento Poetry Center, Urban Voices, and wide community involvement to support the addition of Traci Gourdine, B.L. Kennedy and Joe Montoya to the Hall of Fame. This year’s third installation is supported by the International Exchange For The Arts, a California non-profit, public benefit corporation, and INCLUSIONISTS worldwide. Tickets for the banquet are $25. For more information about this event, about this weekend's International Poetry Festival, the sponsors, or the S.P.I.F. and its members, please contact raritie8@aol.com or call 541-752-0705.
______________________
Yikes! Looks like the season is getting into full swing! Have I missed anybody?
Today, D.H. Lawrence would've been 119 years old. My favorite poem of his is, of course, "The Snake", but here is a different sample:
WINTER IN THE BOULEVARD
—D.H. Lawrence
The frost has settled down upon the trees
And ruthlessly strangled off the fantasies
Of leaves that have gone unnoticed, swept like old
Romantic stories now no more to be told.
The trees down the boulevard stand naked in thought
Their abundant summer wordage silence, caught
In the grim undertow; naked the trees confront
Implacable winter's long, cross-questioning brunt.
Has some hand balanced more leaves in the depths of the twigs?
Some dim little efforts placed in the threads of the birch?—
It is only the sparrows, like dead black leaves on the sprigs,
Sitting huddled against the cerulean, one flesh with their perch.
The clear, cold sky coldly bethinks itself.
Like vivid thought the air spins bright, and all
Trees, birds, and earth, arrested in the after-thought,
Awaiting the sentence out from the welkin brought.
________________________
—Medusa
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)
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