TOAD
—Norman MacCaig
Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse
squeeze under the rickety door and sit,
full of satisfaction, in a man's house?
You clamber towards me on your four corners—
right hand, left foot, left hand, right foot.
I love you for being a toad,
for crawling like a Japanese wrestler,
and for not being frightened.
I put you in my purse hand, not shutting it,
and set you down outside directly under
every star.
A jewel in your head? Toad,
you've put one in mine,
a tiny radiance in a dark place.
Tonight!
•••Thursday (10/19), 7 PM: Poet David St. John will read from his work as part of the UC-Davis Creative Writing Program Reading Series. 126 Voorhies Hall, 1st
& A Streets, Davis. [I only received one notice about this; it's amazing to me that the event received so little publicity!]
•••Also tonight (Thursday, 10/19), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real and open mic. The Cobbler Soul Food Restaurant (next to Colonial Theater), 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
•••Also Thursday, 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Sacramento Poetry Center President and Poetry Now Editor Bob Stanley. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free. Watch for a littlesnake broadside coming from Bob in December!
The Robert Greer Cohn Prose Poetry Award
California Institute of Arts and Letters is pleased to announce the Robert Greer Cohn Prose Poetry Award. The winning poet will receive $300, plus the editors at California Institute of Arts and letters will then work with the poet to select up to ten additional unpublished poems (prose poems or verse poems) from the winning poets body of work for publication in a limited edition chapbook. The winning poem will also be featured in a future edition of the journal, Black Zinnias. Submission Deadline: January 15, 2007. Reading fee: $10 (Payable by check to California Institute of Arts and Letters). The award winning poem, and poet, will be announced by March 31, 2007.
Submit two copies of the poem on separate pages. One page must have your contact information and one page the poem only. Appropriate length of poems: 500 words or less, or one page approximately 50 lines single-spaced or less. All poets are welcome to submit whether previously published or not. The poem submitted must not have been previously published. For more information: www.calartsandletters.org
Contact information needed: Name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Please enclose a SASE for contest results and a SAS postcard for notification of receipt of poem. Mail submissions to:
California Institute of Arts and Letters
Robert G. Cohn Prose Poetry Award
P. O. Box 470746
San Francisco, CA 94147
_______________________
FOR A FIVE-YEAR-OLD
—Fleur Adcock
A snail is climbing up the window-sill
Into your room, after a night of rain.
You call me in to see, and I explain
That it would be unkind to leave it there:
It might crawl to the floor; we must take care
That no one squashes it. You understand,
And carry it outside, with careful hand,
To eat a daffodil.
I see, then, that a kind of faith prevails:
Your gentleness is moulded still by words
From me, who have trapped mice and shot wild birds,
From me, who drowned your kittens, who betrayed
Your closest relatives, and who purveyed
The harshest kind of truth to many another.
But that is how things are: I am your mother,
And we are kind to snails.
_______________________
—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, October 19, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The Foxes Trot Down the Hill
I WILL MAKE YOU BROOCHES
—Robert Louis Stevenson
I will make you brooches and toys for your delight
Of bird-song at morning and star-shine at night.
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests and blue days at sea.
I will make my kitchen, and you shall keep your room,
Where white flows the river and bright blows the broom.
And you shall wash your linen and keep your body white
In rainfall at morning and dewfall at night.
And this shall be for music when no one else is near,
The fine song for singing, the rare song to hear!
That only I remember, that only you admire,
Of the broad road that stretches and the roadside fire.
________________________
•••Tonight (Wednesday, 10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
•••Also tonight, 6:30-8 PM: Urban Voices present CSUS Professor Mary Mackay, South Natomas Library, 2901 Truxel Rd., Sac. Free.
•••Later tonight, 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.
Come hear the Foxes!
Lots of chances to hear our various Red Fox Underground friends from El Dorado County this week:
•••Friday, 7 PM: Our House Gallery and Framing presents Irene Lipshin and Phil Weidman. Both have new chapbooks out from Rattlesnake Press: Shadowlines (Irene) and Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems(Phil). Free; an open mic follows. Our House Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac., take the Latrobe exit south and cut over left into the shopping center.
•••Saturday, 7-9 PM: Underground Poetry Series features Red Fox Underground poets Wendy Williams and Brigit Truex, plus Lori Jean Robinson and Random Abiladeze, plus open mic. $3. Underground Books, 2814 35th St., Sac. (35th and Broadway). If you would like to be a featured poet, contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Sunday (Oct. 22), 4 PM: The Book Collector and Rattlesnake Press present Taylor Graham reading from her latest book, The Downstairs Dance Floor, winner of the Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize from Texas Review Press. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Be there. Here are some samples from TG:
HIS MOTHER’S GARLIC PRESS
—Taylor Graham, Somerset
The only thing of hers you ever wanted.
She could strike an argument
quick as a kitchen match. She could chop
and mince and slice your words
and serve them with sauce for dinner.
You’ve never had a press that worked
as well, squeezing each clove
to smithereens. Now you’ve got hers
over her dead body. Tonight,
this must be a mother-in-law head
of garlic that you’re crushing,
so pungent, your eyes sting
with old tears.
_______________________
EPITHALAMION
—Taylor Graham
Four teenagers fathered by a fool
escort you tripping laces down the aisle
as if to give you to this other. True,
he’s father twice, himself. So why
the white gardenias, chapel hushed?
Both families populous with offspring
of two humans grown at ease with flesh.
You’ve taught your kids what’s sin;
the lousiest marriage a sacred vow;
love is richer for what’s not allowed.
Desire of your life. Tonight the kids
will slumber-party chez your ex.
This husband bends for the first kiss.
Your fragrant house. A red sun sets.
_______________________
CONNECTIONS
—Taylor Graham
Outside my window, way beyond the phone,
the grass is growing, and a pair of quail
go foraging for seeds. This morning’s mail,
your husband’s letter – he’s at home alone
three thousand miles from here. What are the ties
that bind half-sister to half-sister, known
so little? Less, now that your mind has flown.
Your husband sees you fade before his eyes.
How shall I mourn someone I hardly knew?
A sister dying, now, in after-sight.
I put the phone down. Dying like the light
off pines, off feathers, quail that flew.
No voice could reach, no line extend so long.
The seeds, the quail, and now the evensong.
_______________________
Thanks, TG! Watch for Judy Taylor Graham's next "Making Fun of Poetry" column in Rattlesnake Review #12, due out in December, or check out her latest one in Snake 11, which is still at The Book Collector. Deadline for Snake 12 is Nov. 15, by the way—time to get crackin'! This issue will feature, among all the other jewels, an interview of Sacramento Poetry Writer/Entrepeneur Terry Moore by B.L. Kennedy.
—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.)
—Robert Louis Stevenson
I will make you brooches and toys for your delight
Of bird-song at morning and star-shine at night.
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests and blue days at sea.
I will make my kitchen, and you shall keep your room,
Where white flows the river and bright blows the broom.
And you shall wash your linen and keep your body white
In rainfall at morning and dewfall at night.
And this shall be for music when no one else is near,
The fine song for singing, the rare song to hear!
That only I remember, that only you admire,
Of the broad road that stretches and the roadside fire.
________________________
•••Tonight (Wednesday, 10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
•••Also tonight, 6:30-8 PM: Urban Voices present CSUS Professor Mary Mackay, South Natomas Library, 2901 Truxel Rd., Sac. Free.
•••Later tonight, 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.
Come hear the Foxes!
Lots of chances to hear our various Red Fox Underground friends from El Dorado County this week:
•••Friday, 7 PM: Our House Gallery and Framing presents Irene Lipshin and Phil Weidman. Both have new chapbooks out from Rattlesnake Press: Shadowlines (Irene) and Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems(Phil). Free; an open mic follows. Our House Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center; from Sac., take the Latrobe exit south and cut over left into the shopping center.
•••Saturday, 7-9 PM: Underground Poetry Series features Red Fox Underground poets Wendy Williams and Brigit Truex, plus Lori Jean Robinson and Random Abiladeze, plus open mic. $3. Underground Books, 2814 35th St., Sac. (35th and Broadway). If you would like to be a featured poet, contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Sunday (Oct. 22), 4 PM: The Book Collector and Rattlesnake Press present Taylor Graham reading from her latest book, The Downstairs Dance Floor, winner of the Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize from Texas Review Press. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Be there. Here are some samples from TG:
HIS MOTHER’S GARLIC PRESS
—Taylor Graham, Somerset
The only thing of hers you ever wanted.
She could strike an argument
quick as a kitchen match. She could chop
and mince and slice your words
and serve them with sauce for dinner.
You’ve never had a press that worked
as well, squeezing each clove
to smithereens. Now you’ve got hers
over her dead body. Tonight,
this must be a mother-in-law head
of garlic that you’re crushing,
so pungent, your eyes sting
with old tears.
_______________________
EPITHALAMION
—Taylor Graham
Four teenagers fathered by a fool
escort you tripping laces down the aisle
as if to give you to this other. True,
he’s father twice, himself. So why
the white gardenias, chapel hushed?
Both families populous with offspring
of two humans grown at ease with flesh.
You’ve taught your kids what’s sin;
the lousiest marriage a sacred vow;
love is richer for what’s not allowed.
Desire of your life. Tonight the kids
will slumber-party chez your ex.
This husband bends for the first kiss.
Your fragrant house. A red sun sets.
_______________________
CONNECTIONS
—Taylor Graham
Outside my window, way beyond the phone,
the grass is growing, and a pair of quail
go foraging for seeds. This morning’s mail,
your husband’s letter – he’s at home alone
three thousand miles from here. What are the ties
that bind half-sister to half-sister, known
so little? Less, now that your mind has flown.
Your husband sees you fade before his eyes.
How shall I mourn someone I hardly knew?
A sister dying, now, in after-sight.
I put the phone down. Dying like the light
off pines, off feathers, quail that flew.
No voice could reach, no line extend so long.
The seeds, the quail, and now the evensong.
_______________________
Thanks, TG! Watch for Judy Taylor Graham's next "Making Fun of Poetry" column in Rattlesnake Review #12, due out in December, or check out her latest one in Snake 11, which is still at The Book Collector. Deadline for Snake 12 is Nov. 15, by the way—time to get crackin'! This issue will feature, among all the other jewels, an interview of Sacramento Poetry Writer/Entrepeneur Terry Moore by B.L. Kennedy.
—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, October 17, 2006
Tormenting the Mirror
SLEEP
—Russell Edson
There was a man who didn't know how to sleep, nodding off every night into a drab, unprofessional sleep. Sleep that he had grown so tired of sleeping.
He tried reading The Manual of Sleep, but it just put him to sleep. That same old sleep that he had grown so tired of sleeping...
He needed a sleeping master, who with a whip and a chair could discipline the night, and make him jump through hoops of gasolined fire. Someone who could make a tiger sit on a tiny pedestal and yawn...
_______________________
•••Tonight (Tuesday, 10/17), 6 PM: Sacramento Public Library's One Book Sacramento project presents Novelist and Poet Mary Mackey and Bee political columnist Daniel Weintraub reading from their works anthologized in My California. Bella Bru Cafe, 4680 Natomas Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-928-1770 or www.saclibrary.org. Mary will also read for Urban Voices at the South Natomas Library tomorrow night (Weds.), 6:30 PM. See today's Sacramento Bee Metro section for an article about Mary Mackey's life and work, complete with poem!
Maggie H. Meyer Memorial Poetry Contest, 2006:
The Bay Area Poets Coalition presents their 27th Annual contest, deadline Nov. 15. Poet's choice, any subject. Maximum eight poems, $2 each for non-members of BPAC. Three categories: mini-poems (15 lines), midi-poems (25 lines), maxi-poems (35 lines); all categories must have lines no longer than 64 characters wide. For further rules/info re: formatting, SASE BAPC Contest 27, Box 11435, Dept. 2, Berkeley, CA 94712 or e-mail poetalk@aol.com. Join BAPC if you want ($15/year) and receive four issues of POETALK and "other perks", plus members can submit 1-4 poems to the contest for free ($1.50 for each additional poem up to 8). Their website is www.bayareapoetscoalitiion.org.
Want to write a grant?
Learn the nuts and bolts of funding through grants. This seminar is designed for individuals who work with non-profits, government agencies, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians, technology entrepreneurs, scientific researchers, students and anyone who would like to become more familiar with the world of grant funding!
"Successful Grant Writing Made Easy" is a program presented by Faith Sherry Lessen, J.D., a fund development consultant. She has over twenty 20 years' experience in fund development. Her expertise includes grant awards for HIV/AIDS programs, technology programs, medical clinics and hospitals, housing programs, child care programs, domestic violence programs, child abuse programs, substance abuse programs, food banks, education programs, and cultural and arts programs including video, television and films. She has been instrumental in linking up funding partnerships. These partnerships include collaboratives to secure grant funding with Stanford University, San Jose State University, University of California Santa Cruz, private and public foundations, private businesses, and non-profit organizations. The workshops will be on November 15 or December 15, 9 AM-noon at the Portola Plaza Hotel, Cottonwood 1 Room, Monterey. Call to register today at (831) 383-1668, or register online by e-mailing sherrylessen@sbcglobal.net. The seminar is tailored to small groups, no more than 25 participants, and is interactive and supports individual learning needs. A certification of completion award will be presented to each client upon completion of the seminar. Space is limited. Send check or money order of $125 to: Faith Sherry Lessen, J.D., 2835 David Ave., #16, Pacific Grove, California 93950. 25% discount to nonprofit organizations. $50.00 for students. Two free scholarships are offered.
________________________
THE TORMENTED MIRROR
—Russell Edson
Let me gaze into your lovely eyes, said a man to a mirror.
The mirror said nothing, but gazed back into the man's lovely eyes.
His mother said, stop tormenting the mirror.
I'm gazing into its lovely eyes, said the man.
Those are your lovely eyes, said the mother, which are not so lovely, as they are more like spyglasses than eyes.
His father said, what lovely thing are you doing to the mirror?
Tormenting it, said the man as he continued to gaze into the mirror's lovely eyes...
_______________________
A LETTER FROM HOME
—Russell Edson
One night a man's shadow died. Slumping, it groped its heart and dripped down the wall into a dark stain on the floor in the shape of a man who died in his bedroom alone...
The man writes home: Dear mom, my shadow is dead. I may have to be reborn, if you and dad are up to it, and have a new shadow attached...
His mother writes back: Dear Ken, please don't count on it. In truth, dear, given another chance I think I would ask for an abortion...
_______________________
—Medusa
P.S. Someone named "Homer" sent me some poems which my computer dumped into the junk file. I inadvertently lost his poems! Please re-send, Homer, if you're out there listening...
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.)
—Russell Edson
There was a man who didn't know how to sleep, nodding off every night into a drab, unprofessional sleep. Sleep that he had grown so tired of sleeping.
He tried reading The Manual of Sleep, but it just put him to sleep. That same old sleep that he had grown so tired of sleeping...
He needed a sleeping master, who with a whip and a chair could discipline the night, and make him jump through hoops of gasolined fire. Someone who could make a tiger sit on a tiny pedestal and yawn...
_______________________
•••Tonight (Tuesday, 10/17), 6 PM: Sacramento Public Library's One Book Sacramento project presents Novelist and Poet Mary Mackey and Bee political columnist Daniel Weintraub reading from their works anthologized in My California. Bella Bru Cafe, 4680 Natomas Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-928-1770 or www.saclibrary.org. Mary will also read for Urban Voices at the South Natomas Library tomorrow night (Weds.), 6:30 PM. See today's Sacramento Bee Metro section for an article about Mary Mackey's life and work, complete with poem!
Maggie H. Meyer Memorial Poetry Contest, 2006:
The Bay Area Poets Coalition presents their 27th Annual contest, deadline Nov. 15. Poet's choice, any subject. Maximum eight poems, $2 each for non-members of BPAC. Three categories: mini-poems (15 lines), midi-poems (25 lines), maxi-poems (35 lines); all categories must have lines no longer than 64 characters wide. For further rules/info re: formatting, SASE BAPC Contest 27, Box 11435, Dept. 2, Berkeley, CA 94712 or e-mail poetalk@aol.com. Join BAPC if you want ($15/year) and receive four issues of POETALK and "other perks", plus members can submit 1-4 poems to the contest for free ($1.50 for each additional poem up to 8). Their website is www.bayareapoetscoalitiion.org.
Want to write a grant?
Learn the nuts and bolts of funding through grants. This seminar is designed for individuals who work with non-profits, government agencies, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians, technology entrepreneurs, scientific researchers, students and anyone who would like to become more familiar with the world of grant funding!
"Successful Grant Writing Made Easy" is a program presented by Faith Sherry Lessen, J.D., a fund development consultant. She has over twenty 20 years' experience in fund development. Her expertise includes grant awards for HIV/AIDS programs, technology programs, medical clinics and hospitals, housing programs, child care programs, domestic violence programs, child abuse programs, substance abuse programs, food banks, education programs, and cultural and arts programs including video, television and films. She has been instrumental in linking up funding partnerships. These partnerships include collaboratives to secure grant funding with Stanford University, San Jose State University, University of California Santa Cruz, private and public foundations, private businesses, and non-profit organizations. The workshops will be on November 15 or December 15, 9 AM-noon at the Portola Plaza Hotel, Cottonwood 1 Room, Monterey. Call to register today at (831) 383-1668, or register online by e-mailing sherrylessen@sbcglobal.net. The seminar is tailored to small groups, no more than 25 participants, and is interactive and supports individual learning needs. A certification of completion award will be presented to each client upon completion of the seminar. Space is limited. Send check or money order of $125 to: Faith Sherry Lessen, J.D., 2835 David Ave., #16, Pacific Grove, California 93950. 25% discount to nonprofit organizations. $50.00 for students. Two free scholarships are offered.
________________________
THE TORMENTED MIRROR
—Russell Edson
Let me gaze into your lovely eyes, said a man to a mirror.
The mirror said nothing, but gazed back into the man's lovely eyes.
His mother said, stop tormenting the mirror.
I'm gazing into its lovely eyes, said the man.
Those are your lovely eyes, said the mother, which are not so lovely, as they are more like spyglasses than eyes.
His father said, what lovely thing are you doing to the mirror?
Tormenting it, said the man as he continued to gaze into the mirror's lovely eyes...
_______________________
A LETTER FROM HOME
—Russell Edson
One night a man's shadow died. Slumping, it groped its heart and dripped down the wall into a dark stain on the floor in the shape of a man who died in his bedroom alone...
The man writes home: Dear mom, my shadow is dead. I may have to be reborn, if you and dad are up to it, and have a new shadow attached...
His mother writes back: Dear Ken, please don't count on it. In truth, dear, given another chance I think I would ask for an abortion...
_______________________
—Medusa
P.S. Someone named "Homer" sent me some poems which my computer dumped into the junk file. I inadvertently lost his poems! Please re-send, Homer, if you're out there listening...
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, October 16, 2006
The Things of Today
SADNESS
—Shuntara Tanikawa
Sadness
A half-peeled apple
Not a metaphor
Not a poem
Merely there
A half-peeled apple
Sadness
Merely there
Yesterday's evening paper
Merely there
Merely there
A warm breast
Merely there
Nightfall
Sadness
Apart from words
Apart from the heart
Merely here
The things of today.
______________________
This week's poetry events (Wow!):
•••Tonight (Monday, 10/16), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Poets of Luther Burbank High School. HQ, 15th & R Sts., Sacramento.
•••Tuesday (10/17), 6 PM: Sacramento Public Library's One Book Sacramento project presents Novelist and Poet Mary Mackey and Bee political columnist Daniel Weintraub reading from their works anthologized in My California. Bella Bru Cafe, 4680 Natomas Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-928-1770 or www.saclibrary.org.
•••Wednesday (10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
•••Also Wed., 6:30-8 PM: Urban Voices present CSUS Professor Mary Mackay, South Natomas Library, 2901 Truxel Rd., Sac. Free.
•••Also Weds., 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 (10/19), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real and open mic. The Cobbler Soul Food Restaurant (next to Colonial Theater), 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
•••Also Thursday, 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Sacramento Poetry Center President and Poetry Now Editor Bob Stanley. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free. Congrats to Poetry Unplugged, by the way, for winning Sacramento News & Review's "Best of open mic: Poetry" Award!
•••Friday (10/20), 7 PM: Six Ft. Swells Press celebrates the newest chapbook in its Cheap Shots Poetry Series with the release of Julie Valin's Night Songs for Heavy Dreamers. The evening begins with cocktails and backslapping at 7 PM followed by a reading featuring Julie Valin and Matt Amott. The evening is hosted by the pirate of the Cheap Shots Poetry Series, Todd Cirillo. The event will be a combination of above-average garden party debauchery and truck stop revelries wrapped up in After-Hours Poetry at its finest. The event is free at Jason's Studio Cafe (in Booktown Books), 134 S. Auburn St., Grass Valley. For info. or to order Six Ft. Swells releases call 530-271-0662 or email sixfootswells@yahoo.com.
•••Also Friday, 7 PM: Our House Gallery and Framing presents Irene Lipshin and Phil Weidman. Both have new chapbooks out from Rattlesnake Press: Shadowlines (Irene) and Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems (Phil). An open mic follows. Our House Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center. There is no charge.
•••Saturday (10/21), 7:30 PM: Literature Alive! Presents Wordslingers 2006: An Evening With Amy Tan. The event, presented by Literature Alive!, a Nevada County non-profit, will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Grass Valley. Tickets for the main auditorium are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $22 for Literature Alive! members (must show membership card); bleacher seats are $15. For more information on tickets (which may be sold out?), call (530) 272-5812 or visit the website at www.litalive.org.
•••Also Saturday, 7-9 PM: Underground Poetry Series features Red Fox Underground poets Wendy Williams and Brigit Truex, plus Lori Jean Robinson and Random Abiladeze, plus open mic. $3. Underground Books, 2814 35th St., Sac. (35th and Broadway). If you would like to be a featured poet, contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Also Saturday, 4 PM: The Central California Art Association and the Mistlin Art Gallery announces a poetry writing workshop as this month’s featured poetry event. The facilitator, Karin Forno, is a well known local writer who practicies medicine, has earned a Master's of Fine Arts in creative writing, and is an instructor at CSUS. A very modest $10.00 donation per writer is requested. Please email Gordon Preston at gordonbp@sbcglobal.net with your intent to participate. Space will be limited.
•••Also Saturday, 1-3 PM: The Third Saturday of the Month is The Stockton Poetry Workshop at The Acacia Cafe, corner of Acacia and Yosemite Avenues, Stockton. For info call Donald Anderson (209) 943-2449 or call the host, Shonda Renee (209) 603-1598.
•••Sunday (Oct. 22), 4 PM: The Book Collector and Rattlesnake Press present Taylor Graham reading from her latest book, The Downstairs Dance Floor, winner of the Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize from Texas Review Press. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Be there.
_______________________
STONE AND LIGHT
—Shuntaro Tanikawa
The stone doesn't repel the light,
The stone doesn't absorb the light.
On the stone sits a deerfly,
The light is radiant in its downy hair.
The light just now arrived on earth.
_______________________
CONCERNING A GIRL
—Shuntaro Tanikawa
from a little basket on the kitchen shelf I was about to
pick a star the girl insisted she didn't care about a
harvest I thought I had planted a seed but perhaps we too
had been planted seeds without realizing it we were raised
and ripened and will probably wither away later we're nothing
more than a tiny clod of earth in the middle of the world's
garden yet this time we are the ones that will raise someone
will stand on us and grope for a star with a huge hand perhaps
even check for ripeness however we are not fertilizer for
stars even at that time a girl wise beyond doubt will be there
to plant her naked feet within us then she herself will become
a flower and when ripe a star will naturally fall the
flower knows all about this and so will not be afraid of
dying when standing on my tiptoes about to pick a star I
was called by the girl
(Today's poetry was translated from the Japanese by Harold Wright.)
________________________
—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.)
—Shuntara Tanikawa
Sadness
A half-peeled apple
Not a metaphor
Not a poem
Merely there
A half-peeled apple
Sadness
Merely there
Yesterday's evening paper
Merely there
Merely there
A warm breast
Merely there
Nightfall
Sadness
Apart from words
Apart from the heart
Merely here
The things of today.
______________________
This week's poetry events (Wow!):
•••Tonight (Monday, 10/16), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Poets of Luther Burbank High School. HQ, 15th & R Sts., Sacramento.
•••Tuesday (10/17), 6 PM: Sacramento Public Library's One Book Sacramento project presents Novelist and Poet Mary Mackey and Bee political columnist Daniel Weintraub reading from their works anthologized in My California. Bella Bru Cafe, 4680 Natomas Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-928-1770 or www.saclibrary.org.
•••Wednesday (10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
•••Also Wed., 6:30-8 PM: Urban Voices present CSUS Professor Mary Mackay, South Natomas Library, 2901 Truxel Rd., Sac. Free.
•••Also Weds., 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 (10/19), 8 PM: Vibe Sessions Neo-Soul Lounge with Flo-Real and open mic. The Cobbler Soul Food Restaurant (next to Colonial Theater), 3520 Stockton, Blvd., Sac. $5. 916-613-0776.
•••Also Thursday, 8 PM: Poetry Unplugged presents Sacramento Poetry Center President and Poetry Now Editor Bob Stanley. Open mic before/after. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th St., Sac. Info: 441-3931 or www.lunascafe.com. Free. Congrats to Poetry Unplugged, by the way, for winning Sacramento News & Review's "Best of open mic: Poetry" Award!
•••Friday (10/20), 7 PM: Six Ft. Swells Press celebrates the newest chapbook in its Cheap Shots Poetry Series with the release of Julie Valin's Night Songs for Heavy Dreamers. The evening begins with cocktails and backslapping at 7 PM followed by a reading featuring Julie Valin and Matt Amott. The evening is hosted by the pirate of the Cheap Shots Poetry Series, Todd Cirillo. The event will be a combination of above-average garden party debauchery and truck stop revelries wrapped up in After-Hours Poetry at its finest. The event is free at Jason's Studio Cafe (in Booktown Books), 134 S. Auburn St., Grass Valley. For info. or to order Six Ft. Swells releases call 530-271-0662 or email sixfootswells@yahoo.com.
•••Also Friday, 7 PM: Our House Gallery and Framing presents Irene Lipshin and Phil Weidman. Both have new chapbooks out from Rattlesnake Press: Shadowlines (Irene) and Fictional Character: The Ernie Poems (Phil). An open mic follows. Our House Gallery & Framing is located at 4510 Post St. in El Dorado Hills Town Center. There is no charge.
•••Saturday (10/21), 7:30 PM: Literature Alive! Presents Wordslingers 2006: An Evening With Amy Tan. The event, presented by Literature Alive!, a Nevada County non-profit, will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Grass Valley. Tickets for the main auditorium are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $22 for Literature Alive! members (must show membership card); bleacher seats are $15. For more information on tickets (which may be sold out?), call (530) 272-5812 or visit the website at www.litalive.org.
•••Also Saturday, 7-9 PM: Underground Poetry Series features Red Fox Underground poets Wendy Williams and Brigit Truex, plus Lori Jean Robinson and Random Abiladeze, plus open mic. $3. Underground Books, 2814 35th St., Sac. (35th and Broadway). If you would like to be a featured poet, contact Terry Moore at 916-455-POET.
•••Also Saturday, 4 PM: The Central California Art Association and the Mistlin Art Gallery announces a poetry writing workshop as this month’s featured poetry event. The facilitator, Karin Forno, is a well known local writer who practicies medicine, has earned a Master's of Fine Arts in creative writing, and is an instructor at CSUS. A very modest $10.00 donation per writer is requested. Please email Gordon Preston at gordonbp@sbcglobal.net with your intent to participate. Space will be limited.
•••Also Saturday, 1-3 PM: The Third Saturday of the Month is The Stockton Poetry Workshop at The Acacia Cafe, corner of Acacia and Yosemite Avenues, Stockton. For info call Donald Anderson (209) 943-2449 or call the host, Shonda Renee (209) 603-1598.
•••Sunday (Oct. 22), 4 PM: The Book Collector and Rattlesnake Press present Taylor Graham reading from her latest book, The Downstairs Dance Floor, winner of the Robert Phillips Poetry Chapbook Prize from Texas Review Press. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sac. Be there.
_______________________
STONE AND LIGHT
—Shuntaro Tanikawa
The stone doesn't repel the light,
The stone doesn't absorb the light.
On the stone sits a deerfly,
The light is radiant in its downy hair.
The light just now arrived on earth.
_______________________
CONCERNING A GIRL
—Shuntaro Tanikawa
from a little basket on the kitchen shelf I was about to
pick a star the girl insisted she didn't care about a
harvest I thought I had planted a seed but perhaps we too
had been planted seeds without realizing it we were raised
and ripened and will probably wither away later we're nothing
more than a tiny clod of earth in the middle of the world's
garden yet this time we are the ones that will raise someone
will stand on us and grope for a star with a huge hand perhaps
even check for ripeness however we are not fertilizer for
stars even at that time a girl wise beyond doubt will be there
to plant her naked feet within us then she herself will become
a flower and when ripe a star will naturally fall the
flower knows all about this and so will not be afraid of
dying when standing on my tiptoes about to pick a star I
was called by the girl
(Today's poetry was translated from the Japanese by Harold Wright.)
________________________
—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, October 15, 2006
Scraping Our Knees
BOUGAINVILLA LAZARUS BLOOM
—David Humphreys, Stockton
(Jesus saith: Didst not I say to thee that if
thou believe thou shalt see the glory of God?)
Spread out resurrected from its frozen solid year
of broken pipes and ants’ swarming infestation
above the front step entrance, now a Cardinal’s
brilliant red satin cassock flower administers genuflection
and a benediction of cathedral proportions, several
years perhaps having passed since Jacob’s lost innocence.
Imagine his desert filled with incidental radiance.
Everything here and now would certainly resolve
upon the issue. Take it upon yourself to find another
explanation but it has been done so many times before,
each time inexplicably filled with wonder. Do this
and celebrate and life may bloom voracious rimmed
with many serrated razor rows.
(Homage to Theodore Roethke’s “Root Cellar”)
________________________
NEAR THE WALL OF A HOUSE
—Yehuda Amichai
Near the wall of a house painted
to look like stone,
I saw visions of God.
A sleepless night that gives others a headache
gave me flowers
opening beautifully inside my brain.
And he who was lost like a dog
will be found like a human being
and brought back home again.
Love is not the last room: there are others
after it, the whole length of the corridor
that has no end.
(translated by Chana Bloch)
________________________
INVOCATION TO DSILYI N'EYANI
—Navajo song
Reared Within the Mountains!
Lord of the Mountains!
Young Man!
Chieftain!
I have made your sacrifice.
I have prepared a smoke for you.
My feet restore thou for me.
My legs restore thou for me.
My body restore thou for me.
My mind restore thou for me.
My voice thou restore for me.
Restore all for me in beauty.
Make beautiful all that is before me.
Make beautiful all that is behind me.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
_______________________
THE IMAGE OF YOUR BODY
—Rumi
You've made it out of the city,
that image of your body, trembling with traffic
and fear slips behind.
Your face arrives in the redbud trees, and the tulips.
You're still restless.
Climb up the ladder to the roof.
You're by yourself a lot,
become the one that when you walk in,
luck shifts to the one who needs it.
If you've not been fed, be bread.
(Trans. by Carl Barks)
_______________________
THE JACOB'S LADDER
—Denise Levertov
The stairway is not
a thing of gleaming strands
a radiant evanescence
for angels' feet that only glance in their tread, and need not
touch the stone.
It is of stone.
A rosy stone that takes
a glowing tone of softness
only because behind it the sky is a doubtful, a doubting
night gray.
A stairway of sharp
angles, solidly built.
One sees that the angels must spring
down from one step to the next, giving a little
lift of the wings:
and a man climbing
must scrape his knees, and bring
the grip of his hands into play. The cut stone
consoles his groping feet. Wings brush past hiim.
The poem ascends.
_______________________
—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
(Jesus saith: Didst not I say to thee that if
thou believe thou shalt see the glory of God?)
Spread out resurrected from its frozen solid year
of broken pipes and ants’ swarming infestation
above the front step entrance, now a Cardinal’s
brilliant red satin cassock flower administers genuflection
and a benediction of cathedral proportions, several
years perhaps having passed since Jacob’s lost innocence.
Imagine his desert filled with incidental radiance.
Everything here and now would certainly resolve
upon the issue. Take it upon yourself to find another
explanation but it has been done so many times before,
each time inexplicably filled with wonder. Do this
and celebrate and life may bloom voracious rimmed
with many serrated razor rows.
(Homage to Theodore Roethke’s “Root Cellar”)
________________________
NEAR THE WALL OF A HOUSE
—Yehuda Amichai
Near the wall of a house painted
to look like stone,
I saw visions of God.
A sleepless night that gives others a headache
gave me flowers
opening beautifully inside my brain.
And he who was lost like a dog
will be found like a human being
and brought back home again.
Love is not the last room: there are others
after it, the whole length of the corridor
that has no end.
(translated by Chana Bloch)
________________________
INVOCATION TO DSILYI N'EYANI
—Navajo song
Reared Within the Mountains!
Lord of the Mountains!
Young Man!
Chieftain!
I have made your sacrifice.
I have prepared a smoke for you.
My feet restore thou for me.
My legs restore thou for me.
My body restore thou for me.
My mind restore thou for me.
My voice thou restore for me.
Restore all for me in beauty.
Make beautiful all that is before me.
Make beautiful all that is behind me.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
It is done in beauty.
_______________________
THE IMAGE OF YOUR BODY
—Rumi
You've made it out of the city,
that image of your body, trembling with traffic
and fear slips behind.
Your face arrives in the redbud trees, and the tulips.
You're still restless.
Climb up the ladder to the roof.
You're by yourself a lot,
become the one that when you walk in,
luck shifts to the one who needs it.
If you've not been fed, be bread.
(Trans. by Carl Barks)
_______________________
THE JACOB'S LADDER
—Denise Levertov
The stairway is not
a thing of gleaming strands
a radiant evanescence
for angels' feet that only glance in their tread, and need not
touch the stone.
It is of stone.
A rosy stone that takes
a glowing tone of softness
only because behind it the sky is a doubtful, a doubting
night gray.
A stairway of sharp
angles, solidly built.
One sees that the angels must spring
down from one step to the next, giving a little
lift of the wings:
and a man climbing
must scrape his knees, and bring
the grip of his hands into play. The cut stone
consoles his groping feet. Wings brush past hiim.
The poem ascends.
_______________________
—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.)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
no parenthesis
i thank You God for most this amazing
—e.e. cummings
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
_______________________
this is the garden:colours come and go
—e.e. cummings
this is the garden:colours come and go,
frail azures fluttering from night's outer wing
strong silent greens serenely lingering,
absolute lights like baths of golden snow.
This is the garden:pursed lips do blow
upon cool flutes within wide glooms,and sing
(of harps celestial to the quivering string)
invisible faces hauntingly and low.
This is the garden. Time shall surely reap
and on Death's blade lie many a flower curled,
in other lands where other songs be sung;
yet stand They here enraptured,as among
the slow deep trees perpetual of sleep
some silver-fingered fountain steals the world.
_______________________
since feeling is first
—e.e. cummings
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a far better fate
than wisdom
ladi i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other:then
laugh,leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
_______________________
Today would've been cummings' 112th birthday.
—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.)
—e.e. cummings
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
_______________________
this is the garden:colours come and go
—e.e. cummings
this is the garden:colours come and go,
frail azures fluttering from night's outer wing
strong silent greens serenely lingering,
absolute lights like baths of golden snow.
This is the garden:pursed lips do blow
upon cool flutes within wide glooms,and sing
(of harps celestial to the quivering string)
invisible faces hauntingly and low.
This is the garden. Time shall surely reap
and on Death's blade lie many a flower curled,
in other lands where other songs be sung;
yet stand They here enraptured,as among
the slow deep trees perpetual of sleep
some silver-fingered fountain steals the world.
_______________________
since feeling is first
—e.e. cummings
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a far better fate
than wisdom
ladi i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other:then
laugh,leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
_______________________
Today would've been cummings' 112th birthday.
—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, October 13, 2006
What the Earth Devours
IN THE BLUE
—Antonio Machado
In the blue
a band of black birds
that shriek, flutter, and alight
on a stiff poplar tree.
...In the naked grove
the grave quiet jackdaws
write cold black notes
on February staffs.
_______________________
BESIDE THE SIERRA IN FLOWER
—Antonio Machado
Beside the sierra in flower
the broad sea bubbles.
In my honeycomb of bees
are small grains of salt.
_______________________
THE SUN IS A GLOBE OF FIRE
—Antonio Machado
The sun is a globe of fire,
the moon a purple disk.
A white dove perches
in a high centennial cypress.
The borders of myrtle
are like faded, dusty velvet.
Garden and quiet afternoon!...
Water drips in the marble fountain.
_______________________
Small Press Poetry Fair at The Book Collector:
This Saturday (10/14), 6:30-9:30 PM, Poems-For-All presents an opportunity for folks to check out a wide sampling of small press poetry publications from local and national presses. From 6:30-9:30 PM, the consignment usually paid to the bookstore will be passed on to the customer. This means that all small press publications will be anywhere from 20% to 50% off!
For example:
20% off all Rattlesnake Press publications.
30% off all Bottle of Smoke publications.
40% off all Asylum Press publications.
50% off all 24th street irregular press publications.
Poems-For-All chaplettes and other freebies will also be available.
This all takes part during the Second Saturday artwalk in Midtown—an opprtunity to explore the arts district after hours. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sacramento.
What else's doin' this weekend:
•••Saturday (10/14), 12 noon: For the first time in its 12-year history, the Window Art Project of Chico, CA incorporates poetry. Downtown businesses invite artists in all genres to display their work in windows available to the public for the full month of October. Skyway Poets, a critique group which also holds occasional readings, has mounted poems at the Chamber of Commerce, 300 Salem Street (opposite the parking garage); phone 530-891-5556. Participating poets are Ann Doro, Renee Goularte, Lara Gularte, Joy Harold Helsing, Sally Allen McNall, Sylvia Rosen, Audrey C. Small and Patricia Wellingham-Jones. Check out other artistic activities during the month-long Artoberfest celebration at http://www.artoberfest.org/ , including the Skyway Poets’ public reading to launch their new anthology, Skyways, (PWJ Publishing, www.wellinghamjones.com) at noon on Saturday, October 14, 2006 in Diamond Alley between 3rd and 4th Streets downtown. Everybody is welcome!
•••Saturday, 3-5 PM: Rob Anthony, Shadow, Yossarian Bowens plus open mic, 61 Yuence Smoked BBQ & GRill, 9657 Folsom Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-361-2014.
•••Sunday (10/15), 2-4 PM: The Pomo Literati is part of the KUSF Spotlight Series, a 2-hour literary program that interpolates poetry, soundscapes, and live spoken word performance. This chapter features in-studio readings by Poet/publisher William S. Gainer, Poet and spoken word impressario Chris Olander, and Poet/publisher Todd Cirillo and friends. Classic poetic rarities and contemporary spoken word. KUSF Spotlight 90.3FM San Francisco, or on the internet where we go global at www.live365.com/stations/kusf. The Pomo Literati is hosted by poet/producer frank andrick. Special guest host Jim ‘The Germ’ Smith. Info: frank andrick (209-727-5179) or fandrickfabpub@hotmail.com
•••Sunday (10/15), 7-9 PM: Get Lit @ CAV in San Francisco presents SexyFood, an evening of genre-bending fun for cunning linguists. Celebrate acclaimed wordsmiths as they unleash their vibrant sexy side, as they deftly seduce a room full of people with food as their weapon of choice. Mingle and sip exotic wines from Cav’s excellent, sophisticated cellar. Featuring: Christie Nelson, Kit Kennedy, Roxi Power Hamilton, Warren Longmire, Christine Rosakranse and surprise readings. No-host bar and light appetizer menu. CAV Wine Bar, 1666 Market St. (next to Zuni Café) at Franklin & Gough, San Francisco. Info: 415.437.1770 or www.cavwinebar.com. Email questions, ideas, writing submissions for future shows, etc: sexyfood@gmail.com
•••Monday (10/16), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Poets of Luther Burbank High School. HQ, 15th & R Sts., Sacramento.
Bin Ramke at CSUS next week:
•••Wednesday (10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
________________________
OVER COARSE ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SQUARE
—Antonio Machado
Over coarse rock in the middle of the square,
water drips and drips. In the nearby grove a tall
cypress tree, behind an ivy-girded wall,
lifts a stain of rigid branches in the air.
The afternoon is falling into dreams, a lull
before the large houses in the plaza. Windows glare
with macabre echoes of the sun; forms stare
from balconies and fade like blurring skulls.
Across the barren plaza endless calm abounds
where the soul trails the outline of a tortured soul.
Water drips and drips in the marble bowl.
In all the air in shadow, only water sounds.
________________________
I DREAMED YOU LED ME
—Antonio Machado
I dreamed you led me
along a white footpath
through green fields,
toward the blue of the sierras,
toward the blue mountains,
one serene morning.
I felt your hand in mine,
your companion hand,
your child's voice in my ear
like a new bell,
the pristine bell
of a spring dawn.
It was your voice and hand
in dreams, so true!...
Live, hope, who knows
what the earth devours!
(Today's poetry was translated from the Spanish by Richard Lewis.)
________________________
—Medusa (who wishes you the best on this lucky Friday the 13th!)
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.)
—Antonio Machado
In the blue
a band of black birds
that shriek, flutter, and alight
on a stiff poplar tree.
...In the naked grove
the grave quiet jackdaws
write cold black notes
on February staffs.
_______________________
BESIDE THE SIERRA IN FLOWER
—Antonio Machado
Beside the sierra in flower
the broad sea bubbles.
In my honeycomb of bees
are small grains of salt.
_______________________
THE SUN IS A GLOBE OF FIRE
—Antonio Machado
The sun is a globe of fire,
the moon a purple disk.
A white dove perches
in a high centennial cypress.
The borders of myrtle
are like faded, dusty velvet.
Garden and quiet afternoon!...
Water drips in the marble fountain.
_______________________
Small Press Poetry Fair at The Book Collector:
This Saturday (10/14), 6:30-9:30 PM, Poems-For-All presents an opportunity for folks to check out a wide sampling of small press poetry publications from local and national presses. From 6:30-9:30 PM, the consignment usually paid to the bookstore will be passed on to the customer. This means that all small press publications will be anywhere from 20% to 50% off!
For example:
20% off all Rattlesnake Press publications.
30% off all Bottle of Smoke publications.
40% off all Asylum Press publications.
50% off all 24th street irregular press publications.
Poems-For-All chaplettes and other freebies will also be available.
This all takes part during the Second Saturday artwalk in Midtown—an opprtunity to explore the arts district after hours. That's at The Book Collector, 1008 24th St., Sacramento.
What else's doin' this weekend:
•••Saturday (10/14), 12 noon: For the first time in its 12-year history, the Window Art Project of Chico, CA incorporates poetry. Downtown businesses invite artists in all genres to display their work in windows available to the public for the full month of October. Skyway Poets, a critique group which also holds occasional readings, has mounted poems at the Chamber of Commerce, 300 Salem Street (opposite the parking garage); phone 530-891-5556. Participating poets are Ann Doro, Renee Goularte, Lara Gularte, Joy Harold Helsing, Sally Allen McNall, Sylvia Rosen, Audrey C. Small and Patricia Wellingham-Jones. Check out other artistic activities during the month-long Artoberfest celebration at http://www.artoberfest.org/ , including the Skyway Poets’ public reading to launch their new anthology, Skyways, (PWJ Publishing, www.wellinghamjones.com) at noon on Saturday, October 14, 2006 in Diamond Alley between 3rd and 4th Streets downtown. Everybody is welcome!
•••Saturday, 3-5 PM: Rob Anthony, Shadow, Yossarian Bowens plus open mic, 61 Yuence Smoked BBQ & GRill, 9657 Folsom Blvd., Sac. Free. 916-361-2014.
•••Sunday (10/15), 2-4 PM: The Pomo Literati is part of the KUSF Spotlight Series, a 2-hour literary program that interpolates poetry, soundscapes, and live spoken word performance. This chapter features in-studio readings by Poet/publisher William S. Gainer, Poet and spoken word impressario Chris Olander, and Poet/publisher Todd Cirillo and friends. Classic poetic rarities and contemporary spoken word. KUSF Spotlight 90.3FM San Francisco, or on the internet where we go global at www.live365.com/stations/kusf. The Pomo Literati is hosted by poet/producer frank andrick. Special guest host Jim ‘The Germ’ Smith. Info: frank andrick (209-727-5179) or fandrickfabpub@hotmail.com
•••Sunday (10/15), 7-9 PM: Get Lit @ CAV in San Francisco presents SexyFood, an evening of genre-bending fun for cunning linguists. Celebrate acclaimed wordsmiths as they unleash their vibrant sexy side, as they deftly seduce a room full of people with food as their weapon of choice. Mingle and sip exotic wines from Cav’s excellent, sophisticated cellar. Featuring: Christie Nelson, Kit Kennedy, Roxi Power Hamilton, Warren Longmire, Christine Rosakranse and surprise readings. No-host bar and light appetizer menu. CAV Wine Bar, 1666 Market St. (next to Zuni Café) at Franklin & Gough, San Francisco. Info: 415.437.1770 or www.cavwinebar.com. Email questions, ideas, writing submissions for future shows, etc: sexyfood@gmail.com
•••Monday (10/16), 7:30 PM: Sacramento Poetry Center presents Poets of Luther Burbank High School. HQ, 15th & R Sts., Sacramento.
Bin Ramke at CSUS next week:
•••Wednesday (10/18), 7 PM: The Sac State Creative Writing Program in conjunction with the Sac State Visiting Scholars Program and Poets & Writers, Inc. presents a lecture & poetry reading by internationally-acclaimed poet, teacher and scholar Bin Ramke in the CSUS Library Gallery (1st floor). Professor Ramke will deliver a talk and then give a poetry reading. The subject for his talk is "Poetry and Proof: The Problem of the Practical."
________________________
OVER COARSE ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SQUARE
—Antonio Machado
Over coarse rock in the middle of the square,
water drips and drips. In the nearby grove a tall
cypress tree, behind an ivy-girded wall,
lifts a stain of rigid branches in the air.
The afternoon is falling into dreams, a lull
before the large houses in the plaza. Windows glare
with macabre echoes of the sun; forms stare
from balconies and fade like blurring skulls.
Across the barren plaza endless calm abounds
where the soul trails the outline of a tortured soul.
Water drips and drips in the marble bowl.
In all the air in shadow, only water sounds.
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I DREAMED YOU LED ME
—Antonio Machado
I dreamed you led me
along a white footpath
through green fields,
toward the blue of the sierras,
toward the blue mountains,
one serene morning.
I felt your hand in mine,
your companion hand,
your child's voice in my ear
like a new bell,
the pristine bell
of a spring dawn.
It was your voice and hand
in dreams, so true!...
Live, hope, who knows
what the earth devours!
(Today's poetry was translated from the Spanish by Richard Lewis.)
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—Medusa (who wishes you the best on this lucky Friday the 13th!)
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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