Painting by Ann Privateer
THE TRACKER IN THE BOY
—Ann Privateer, Davis
He chooses a flower
cuts the stem with a sharp
diagonal slice, ignores
the inclination to ingeniously
graft a new toy, then
the boy takes aim, fires.
__________________
Thanks to Ann Privateer for the painting and poem, and thanks to today's other poets for their riffs on our Seed of the Week: Pawnshops—including Dewell Byrd from Eureka for his first Medusa submission, ever, even though he's been in every issue of Rattlesnake Review except #1. Welcome to the Kitchen, Dewell!
Donald Anderson, who also sent us a pawnshop poem, writes: Here's a brief list of the workshops and readings that I know of in the Stockton area. If you know of more, please email me the info so that I may add it to the list.
•••Poets On The Roof workshop, 3rd Saturday of the month, 5:30 PM, Patricia Mayorga's house, Stockton. Request permission to join by calling Patricia at 209.470.0214, or www.poetsontheroof.com/.
•••Poetry As A Life workshop, 2nd Friday of every month, this year from 3:30 PM to 5:20 PM. Hosted by Chinetana Phounsavath and Donald Anderson; upstairs Admin Conference Room (2nd door to right of elevator), Cesar Chavez downtown Library, Stockton.
•••Open Mic at Blackwater, middle of the block on Yosemite Ave (cross-street Acacia), Stockton. Hosted by Jim Ricks, 3rd Sunday of month at 7 PM.
•••Poet's Circle, 1-3 PM, 4th Saturday of the month at Tillie's in Lodi. Host is Roger E. Naylor; contact him 209.366.1546.
•••And then there is the up-coming, first annual San Joaquin Writers' Workshop in Danner Hall at San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton on Saturday, April 4, 8 AM-5 PM. Includes many featured speakers and food, and much more [see yesterday's Medusa post]! Registration is $15 at Writers' Guild table in Quad on Thursdays at SJDC, or online at: www.sanjoaquinwritersworkshop.org/.
___________________
THE MISSING SAX
—Donald R. Anderson, Stockton
The saxophone lay limp on the wood,
under the glass, exhibitionist.
The sax was missing its owner,
the tender throat, the supple lip,
the stern blow.
It was tarnished but clean,
and in it the gleam of hope
of finding a new owner,
one that would treat it much better than before.
But who came into the store
but an old man wanting to make the fast buck,
with fedora hat with pinch in front.
Peacock feather, trimmed neat,
along the large brim,
you can tell a man by his hat,
you could tell it was him.
It was the sax's old owner,
come to reclaim his throne.
He wanted one more night,
one more town, one more show.
He could make it to the big time,
if only... you know.
But his piece lay out of reach,
infinite distance, beneath the glass.
The saxaphone lay waiting.
He hadn't the cash.
But one more dime, one more time,
he would ring on their door.
One day, some day, one dollar more.
And even if it meant
this time missing the rent,
he would do it, he must do it,
however much was spent.
It would take and take
from his energy store,
that last breath of passion,
to make his true score.
And his name would brand records,
be the name they all want.
Be the one who signs autographs
on every little walking or jaunt.
And then he'd be free,
be able to say,
that he had made it as far,
as far as all the way.
But really it only mattered,
it mattered today,
that he get to be with his sax,
his saxophone, to play.
___________________
TOUCHSTONES
—Dewell H. Byrd, Eureka
waiting
for a few words
a handful of dirt
a quick dash to her house
to see whose name
is on which heirloom
rings
family crest
silver tea set
Aunt Emily’s pearls
grandmother’s jeweled broach
long shadows drape new headstone
__________________
OUTSIDE THE PAWN SHOP
—Taylor Graham, Placerville
All my earthly possessions or property and business in America
has been swept away.
—Elihu Burritt, letter to Gerrit Smith, London, Aug. 29, 1851
As you pass a doorway
with its threefold cluster of Medici balls, are you tempted
to go inside this museum of hard times?
So much the poor have left behind here—the father
forced to pawn his hammer and saw for pennies;
the wife who slipped the ring from her finger
that still tingles with its loss. The china cups, the spoons
and vases; bedstead, blankets; frock-coats; flutes and fiddles.
The prayer books—
who so desperate that he gives up the words to speak
with God? Surely they stay in the heart
of the impoverished long after the book is gone.
What could you pawn?
You have no furnishings; just the set of clothes
you wear, a top-hat and umbrella against weather;
knapsack for traveling on foot; your Hebrew Psalter—
how much would that bring?
No, you couldn’t. You’ll walk on down the street,
trusting the God of Psalms
to feed you.
__________________
A LITTLE MENDACITY UNDER
THE SIGN OF THE MEDICI
—Kevin Jones, Fair Oaks
Took my gold
And jewels
To the pawn shop.
“Plastic,” he said,
“Tin and aluminum,”
He said. “Get out.”
Must remember to
Use better spray paint
Next time.
________________
Today's LittleNip:
Of those who say nothing, few are silent.
—Thomas Neill
_________________
—Medusa
SnakeWatch: What's New from Rattlesnake Press:
Rattlesnake Review: The new Snake (RR21) is out! The issue is now available at The Book Collector, and the last of the contributor and subscription copies will go into the mail this week—or send me four bux and I'll mail you one. Next deadline is May 15 for RR22: send 3-5 poems, smallish art pieces and/or photos (no bio, no cover letter, no simultaneous submissions or previously-published poems) to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. E-mail attachments are preferred, but be sure to include all contact info, including snail address. Meanwhile, the snakes of Medusa are always hungry; let us know if your submission is for the Review or for Medusa, or for either one.
Also available (free): littlesnake broadside #46: Snake Secrets: Getting Your Poetry Published in Rattlesnake Press (and lots of other places, besides!): A compendium of ideas for brushing up on your submissions process so as to make editors everywhere more happy, thereby increasing the likelihood of getting your poetry published. Pick up a copy at The Book Collector or write to me and I'll send you one. Free!
NEW FOR MARCH: Rattlesnake Press is proud to present a new chapbook from Norma Kohout (All Aboard!!!); a free littlesnake broadside from Patricia Hickerson (At Grail Castle Hotel); and a new issue of Rattlesnake Review (the Snake turns 21)!
COMING IN APRIL: Wednesday, April 8 will be our FIFTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY/BUFFET at The Book Collector, featuring a SpiralChap of poetry and photos from Laverne Frith (Celebrations: Images and Texts), a littlesnake broadside from Taylor Graham (Edge of Wildwood), and Musings3: An English Affair, a new blank journal of photos and writing prompts from Katy Brown. That’s at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sacramento, 7:30 PM.
And April 15 is the deadline for the second issue of WTF, the free quarterly journal from Poetry Unplugged at Luna's Cafe that is edited by frank andrick. Submission guidelines are the same as for the Snake, but send your poems, photos, smallish art or prose pieces (500 words or less) to fandrickfabpub@hotmail.com (attachments preferred) or, if you’re snailing, to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. And be forewarned: this publication is for adults only, so you must be over 18 years of age to submit. Copies of the first issue are at The Book Collector, or send me two bux and I'll mail you one.
Medusa's Weekly Menu:
(Contributors are welcome to cook up something for any and all of these!)
Monday: Weekly NorCal poetry calendar
Tuesday: Seed of the Week: Tuesday is Medusa's day to post poetry triggers such as quotes, forms, photos, memories, jokes—whatever might tickle somebody's muse. Pick up the gauntlet and send in your poetic results; and don't be shy about sending in your own triggers, too! All poems will be posted and a few of them will go into Medusa's Corner of each Rattlesnake Review. Send your work to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. No deadline for SOWs; respond today, tomorrow, or whenever the muse arrives. (Print 'em out, maybe, save 'em for a dry spell?) When you send us work, though, just let us know which "seed" it was that inspired you.
Wednesday (sometimes, or any other day!): HandyStuff Quickies: Resources for the poet, including whatever helps ease the pain of writing and/or publishing: favorite journals to read and/or submit to; books, etc., about writing; organizational tools—you know—HandyStuff! Tell us about your favorite tools.
Thursday: B.L.'s Drive-Bys: Micro-reviews by our irreverent Reviewer-in-Residence, B.L. Kennedy. Send books, CDs, DVDs, etc. to him for possible review (either as a Drive-By or in future issues of Rattlesnake Review) at P.O. Box 160664, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Friday: NorCal weekend poetry calendar
Daily (except Sunday): LittleNips: SnakeFood for the Poetic Soul: Daily munchables for poetic thought, including short paragraphs, quotes, wonky words, silliness, little-known poetry/poet facts, and other inspiration—yet another way to feed our ravenous poetic souls.
And poetry! Every day, poetry from writers near and far and in-between! The Snakes of Medusa are always hungry.......!
_________________
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their POETRY, PHOTOS and ART, as well as announcements of Northern California poetry events, to kathykieth@hotmail.com (or snail ‘em to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726) 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.) Medusa cannot vouch for the moral fiber of other publications, contests, etc. that she lists, however, so submit to them at your own risk. For more info about the Snake Empire, including guidelines for submitting to or obtaining our publications, click on the link to the right of this column: Rattlesnake Press (rattlesnakepress.com). And be sure to sign up for Snakebytes, our monthly e-newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on all our ophidian chicanery.
—Ann Privateer, Davis
He chooses a flower
cuts the stem with a sharp
diagonal slice, ignores
the inclination to ingeniously
graft a new toy, then
the boy takes aim, fires.
__________________
Thanks to Ann Privateer for the painting and poem, and thanks to today's other poets for their riffs on our Seed of the Week: Pawnshops—including Dewell Byrd from Eureka for his first Medusa submission, ever, even though he's been in every issue of Rattlesnake Review except #1. Welcome to the Kitchen, Dewell!
Donald Anderson, who also sent us a pawnshop poem, writes: Here's a brief list of the workshops and readings that I know of in the Stockton area. If you know of more, please email me the info so that I may add it to the list.
•••Poets On The Roof workshop, 3rd Saturday of the month, 5:30 PM, Patricia Mayorga's house, Stockton. Request permission to join by calling Patricia at 209.470.0214, or www.poetsontheroof.com/.
•••Poetry As A Life workshop, 2nd Friday of every month, this year from 3:30 PM to 5:20 PM. Hosted by Chinetana Phounsavath and Donald Anderson; upstairs Admin Conference Room (2nd door to right of elevator), Cesar Chavez downtown Library, Stockton.
•••Open Mic at Blackwater, middle of the block on Yosemite Ave (cross-street Acacia), Stockton. Hosted by Jim Ricks, 3rd Sunday of month at 7 PM.
•••Poet's Circle, 1-3 PM, 4th Saturday of the month at Tillie's in Lodi. Host is Roger E. Naylor; contact him 209.366.1546.
•••And then there is the up-coming, first annual San Joaquin Writers' Workshop in Danner Hall at San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton on Saturday, April 4, 8 AM-5 PM. Includes many featured speakers and food, and much more [see yesterday's Medusa post]! Registration is $15 at Writers' Guild table in Quad on Thursdays at SJDC, or online at: www.sanjoaquinwritersworkshop.org/.
___________________
THE MISSING SAX
—Donald R. Anderson, Stockton
The saxophone lay limp on the wood,
under the glass, exhibitionist.
The sax was missing its owner,
the tender throat, the supple lip,
the stern blow.
It was tarnished but clean,
and in it the gleam of hope
of finding a new owner,
one that would treat it much better than before.
But who came into the store
but an old man wanting to make the fast buck,
with fedora hat with pinch in front.
Peacock feather, trimmed neat,
along the large brim,
you can tell a man by his hat,
you could tell it was him.
It was the sax's old owner,
come to reclaim his throne.
He wanted one more night,
one more town, one more show.
He could make it to the big time,
if only... you know.
But his piece lay out of reach,
infinite distance, beneath the glass.
The saxaphone lay waiting.
He hadn't the cash.
But one more dime, one more time,
he would ring on their door.
One day, some day, one dollar more.
And even if it meant
this time missing the rent,
he would do it, he must do it,
however much was spent.
It would take and take
from his energy store,
that last breath of passion,
to make his true score.
And his name would brand records,
be the name they all want.
Be the one who signs autographs
on every little walking or jaunt.
And then he'd be free,
be able to say,
that he had made it as far,
as far as all the way.
But really it only mattered,
it mattered today,
that he get to be with his sax,
his saxophone, to play.
___________________
TOUCHSTONES
—Dewell H. Byrd, Eureka
waiting
for a few words
a handful of dirt
a quick dash to her house
to see whose name
is on which heirloom
rings
family crest
silver tea set
Aunt Emily’s pearls
grandmother’s jeweled broach
long shadows drape new headstone
__________________
OUTSIDE THE PAWN SHOP
—Taylor Graham, Placerville
All my earthly possessions or property and business in America
has been swept away.
—Elihu Burritt, letter to Gerrit Smith, London, Aug. 29, 1851
As you pass a doorway
with its threefold cluster of Medici balls, are you tempted
to go inside this museum of hard times?
So much the poor have left behind here—the father
forced to pawn his hammer and saw for pennies;
the wife who slipped the ring from her finger
that still tingles with its loss. The china cups, the spoons
and vases; bedstead, blankets; frock-coats; flutes and fiddles.
The prayer books—
who so desperate that he gives up the words to speak
with God? Surely they stay in the heart
of the impoverished long after the book is gone.
What could you pawn?
You have no furnishings; just the set of clothes
you wear, a top-hat and umbrella against weather;
knapsack for traveling on foot; your Hebrew Psalter—
how much would that bring?
No, you couldn’t. You’ll walk on down the street,
trusting the God of Psalms
to feed you.
__________________
A LITTLE MENDACITY UNDER
THE SIGN OF THE MEDICI
—Kevin Jones, Fair Oaks
Took my gold
And jewels
To the pawn shop.
“Plastic,” he said,
“Tin and aluminum,”
He said. “Get out.”
Must remember to
Use better spray paint
Next time.
________________
Today's LittleNip:
Of those who say nothing, few are silent.
—Thomas Neill
_________________
—Medusa
SnakeWatch: What's New from Rattlesnake Press:
Rattlesnake Review: The new Snake (RR21) is out! The issue is now available at The Book Collector, and the last of the contributor and subscription copies will go into the mail this week—or send me four bux and I'll mail you one. Next deadline is May 15 for RR22: send 3-5 poems, smallish art pieces and/or photos (no bio, no cover letter, no simultaneous submissions or previously-published poems) to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. E-mail attachments are preferred, but be sure to include all contact info, including snail address. Meanwhile, the snakes of Medusa are always hungry; let us know if your submission is for the Review or for Medusa, or for either one.
Also available (free): littlesnake broadside #46: Snake Secrets: Getting Your Poetry Published in Rattlesnake Press (and lots of other places, besides!): A compendium of ideas for brushing up on your submissions process so as to make editors everywhere more happy, thereby increasing the likelihood of getting your poetry published. Pick up a copy at The Book Collector or write to me and I'll send you one. Free!
NEW FOR MARCH: Rattlesnake Press is proud to present a new chapbook from Norma Kohout (All Aboard!!!); a free littlesnake broadside from Patricia Hickerson (At Grail Castle Hotel); and a new issue of Rattlesnake Review (the Snake turns 21)!
COMING IN APRIL: Wednesday, April 8 will be our FIFTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY/BUFFET at The Book Collector, featuring a SpiralChap of poetry and photos from Laverne Frith (Celebrations: Images and Texts), a littlesnake broadside from Taylor Graham (Edge of Wildwood), and Musings3: An English Affair, a new blank journal of photos and writing prompts from Katy Brown. That’s at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sacramento, 7:30 PM.
And April 15 is the deadline for the second issue of WTF, the free quarterly journal from Poetry Unplugged at Luna's Cafe that is edited by frank andrick. Submission guidelines are the same as for the Snake, but send your poems, photos, smallish art or prose pieces (500 words or less) to fandrickfabpub@hotmail.com (attachments preferred) or, if you’re snailing, to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. And be forewarned: this publication is for adults only, so you must be over 18 years of age to submit. Copies of the first issue are at The Book Collector, or send me two bux and I'll mail you one.
Medusa's Weekly Menu:
(Contributors are welcome to cook up something for any and all of these!)
Monday: Weekly NorCal poetry calendar
Tuesday: Seed of the Week: Tuesday is Medusa's day to post poetry triggers such as quotes, forms, photos, memories, jokes—whatever might tickle somebody's muse. Pick up the gauntlet and send in your poetic results; and don't be shy about sending in your own triggers, too! All poems will be posted and a few of them will go into Medusa's Corner of each Rattlesnake Review. Send your work to kathykieth@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726. No deadline for SOWs; respond today, tomorrow, or whenever the muse arrives. (Print 'em out, maybe, save 'em for a dry spell?) When you send us work, though, just let us know which "seed" it was that inspired you.
Wednesday (sometimes, or any other day!): HandyStuff Quickies: Resources for the poet, including whatever helps ease the pain of writing and/or publishing: favorite journals to read and/or submit to; books, etc., about writing; organizational tools—you know—HandyStuff! Tell us about your favorite tools.
Thursday: B.L.'s Drive-Bys: Micro-reviews by our irreverent Reviewer-in-Residence, B.L. Kennedy. Send books, CDs, DVDs, etc. to him for possible review (either as a Drive-By or in future issues of Rattlesnake Review) at P.O. Box 160664, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Friday: NorCal weekend poetry calendar
Daily (except Sunday): LittleNips: SnakeFood for the Poetic Soul: Daily munchables for poetic thought, including short paragraphs, quotes, wonky words, silliness, little-known poetry/poet facts, and other inspiration—yet another way to feed our ravenous poetic souls.
And poetry! Every day, poetry from writers near and far and in-between! The Snakes of Medusa are always hungry.......!
_________________
Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their POETRY, PHOTOS and ART, as well as announcements of Northern California poetry events, to kathykieth@hotmail.com (or snail ‘em to P.O. Box 762, Pollock Pines, CA 95726) 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.) Medusa cannot vouch for the moral fiber of other publications, contests, etc. that she lists, however, so submit to them at your own risk. For more info about the Snake Empire, including guidelines for submitting to or obtaining our publications, click on the link to the right of this column: Rattlesnake Press (rattlesnakepress.com). And be sure to sign up for Snakebytes, our monthly e-newsletter that will keep you up-to-date on all our ophidian chicanery.
