Category Archives: Poetry

Poetry Wednesday 05/06/09: My Favorite Poem by Sans Souci

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  Sans Souci and Laurita Photographed by their father Birthday Doll By Sans Souci from her upcoming book, “The Cerebral Jukebox” I might have been twelve, soyou were six and under my care;mom worked.She brought home the groceries after a dayat the Dictaphone machine and the ninety words per minutetypewriter,stepped out of her high heels, returning to five feet tall.She handed me five dollars and told meto take you to buy a birthday present.OK, Ma, I think I dutifully answered.She must have been tired, really tired, … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 07/01/09: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive

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Right: Aretha Franklin Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” was a popular song written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and it was published in 1944. It is sung in the style of a sermon, and explains that accentuating the positive is key to happiness. In describing his inspiration for the song, Mercer told the Pop Chronicles radio documentary “I went to hear Father Divine and he had a sermon and his subject was ‘you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.’ And … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 11/11/09: The Building Of The Ship

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The Commissioning of The USS New York New York Harbor Photography by Laurita Saturday, November 7, 2009   The Building of the Ship by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Build me straight, O worthy Master! Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel, That shall laugh at all disaster, And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!” The merchant’s word Delighted the Master heard; For his heart was in his work, and the heart Giveth grace unto every Art. A quiet smile played round his lips, As the eddies and dimples … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 06/11/08: Michael McClure & Ray Manzarek

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A Marriage of Rock and Poetry Michael McClure, Ray Manzarek collaborate on stage, reflecting a new trend in poetry.  Oakland poet and playwright Michael McClure first met pianist Ray Manzarek in 1968, during a recording session for the Doors’ classic album “Waiting for the Sun.” Doors lead singer Jim Morrison introduced the two, starting a friendship and creative association that has lasted three decades. Their latest collaboration, “The Third Mind,” is a performance video-documentary featuring live concert footage of McClure reading his poems to the … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 07/30/08: Maya Angelou

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For Poetry Wednesday this week, I am posting two poems by Maya Angelou. The first one, Still I Rise, is from her book, Phenomenal Woman, and the other is called, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings from a book by the same  name. Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 09/11/08: In Memory of September 11, 2001

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“I Hear America Singing”  by Walt Whitman Click here to return to Sans Souci, our poetess hostess with the mostess 19 CommentsChronological   Reverse   Threaded delete reply sistahpoet wrote on Sep 9, ’08 THANK YOU VERY MUCH! edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Sep 9, ’08 I actually typed the words of the poem onto the picture myself. delete reply sistahpoet wrote on Sep 9, ’08 THAT IS MIGHTY WONDERFUL, MY FRIEND! delete reply starfishred wrote on Sep 9, ’08 very very nice laurita … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 08/12/09: Summer in the South

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Summer Charm by June Dudley Summer in the South (1903) by Paul Laurence Dunbar The oriole sings in the greening grove As if he were half-way waiting, The rosebuds peep from their hoods of green, Timid, and hesitating. The rain comes down in a torrent sweep And the nights smell warm and pinety, The garden thrives, but the tender shoots Are yellow-green and tiny. Then a flash of sun on a waiting hill, Streams laugh that erst were quiet, The sky smiles down with a … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 10/28/09: Jack Kerouac’s San Francisco Scene

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Jack Sheedy Jazz Band  Bert Pearl, Bill Dart, Jack Minger, Paul Miller, Pat Patton and Jack Sheedy. San Francisco Scene (The Beat Generation) By Jack Kerouac   Now it’s jazz, the place is roaring, all beautiful girls in there, one mad brunette at the bar drunk with her boys. One strange chick I remember from somewhere, wearing a simple skirt with pockets, her hands in there, short haircut, slouched, talking to everybody. Up and down the stairs they come. The bartenders are the regular band … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday 11/28/2012: It’s The Journey That’s Important

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It’s The Journey That’s Important… By John McLeod Life, sometimes so wearying Is worth its weight in gold The experience of traveling Lends a wisdom that is old Beyond our ‘living memory’ A softly spoken prayer: “It’s the journey that’s important, Not the getting there!” Ins and outs and ups and downs Life’s road meanders aimlessly? Or so it seems, but somehow Leads us where we need to be, And being simply human We oft question and compare…. “Is the journey so important Or the … Continue reading →

Poetry Wednesday: Late Autumn in Venice by Delmore Schwartz

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Late Autumn In Venice by Delmore Schwartz The city floats no longer like a bait To hook the nimble darting summer days. The glazed and brittle palaces pulsate and radiate And glitter. Summer’s garden sways, A heap of marionettes hanging down and dangled, Leaves tired, torn, turned upside down and strangled: Until from forest depths, from bony leafless trees A will wakens: the admiral, lolling long at ease, Has been commanded, overnight — suddenly –: In the first dawn, all galleys put to sea! Waking … Continue reading →