Chicago Time

one cat ago or maybe two

when I lived in Chicago

and was married to a crazy person

with two crazy children

I used to enjoy sitting outside

reading the trib and drinking local coffee

then Caribou came

followed by Starbucks

and everybody left local

for trendy, with their French bulldogs

on alligator leashes, and their 100 speed

$2500.00 bikes

so local closed

after that I made coffee at home

and sat on my balcony on the fourth floor

and pretended to read the trib

while watching the clouds over the lake

and not listening to the nazi-skinhead-music

that vibrated the walls and windows

after that I moved to Texas

Academic Relief

Today I am practicing not teaching

classes and finals are officially over

next week

I am cleaning my kitchen as it gets dirty

not when I run out of dishes

I’m getting my dryer repaired because I am home and can make an appointment

no more trips to the laundromat with a carload of damp clothes

then doing laundry when there is only one load not 12 loads

and I still have clean clothes to wear

I pruned my bamboo this morning

got my mail before the postman took it back to the post office

am still in my pajamas and slippers

drinking fresh coffee instead of one or even two day old and stale (moldy?)

cooked breakfast instead of fast food

(and washed the dishes)

The pile of unread books and magazines

will begin to disappear

and I look forward to day trips

to the bookstores in town

I have read most of NY Times

the day it comes out

not a week late or a month late

and I brushed the cats

fed the raccoons

and watched the stress leave

Baltimore

I didn’t see Purge

I only read about it

but watching Baltimore burn

reminded me about what I read

and more

scenes from Clockwork Orange

did Anthony predict this present

   Then the future in 1971

when violence reigned?

Idyllicism

I know we had an idyllic past

I’ve learned about it in the movies and on TV

Always Sunny days, and after church going home

Sit down family dinners everybody in their Sunday best

For ham with pineapple, and mashed potatoes with brown gravy

And green beans from the garden

And peach cobbler with handmade ice cream for dessert

Or maybe walk into town

to the town square

spreading our picnic blanket on the lawn

in front of the band-shell

waiting for John Philippe Sousa to arrive

stars and stripes forever

before the first war and maybe back further

but TV showed there were cars already

but medicines like vaccinations, and especially hospitals weren’t like today

death is not so idyllic when it comes at 45

when people died from diseases long gone now

and people went hungry

really only white people went to the park

to hear the volunteers play high school instruments

and have their Sunday picnic

the colored still had signs to tell them where to sit

where to stand, where to go

and after all they had their own part of  town

and those brown folks that worked in the fields

well they couldn’t come to town at all

nothing for them but hard work

no schools, no medicine, no anything

and especially nothing that the town had to pay for

Calvinism runs strong through idyllic America

When Cruzie or Rubiota, Randy, Walken Tall, Perry the killer of coyotes

or others of their ilk

want to take back America I’m afraid they believe in the TV illusions

idyllic-ism overly fond reverence for that which never was

in a time when the poor and the needy were scorned

By people talking about Jesus

do not help others they must help themselves

besides they cost money

acting as if Calvin himself was their minister/preacher

“Pull yourself out of sin

Suffer through hard work

hoard money don’t spend you will be rewarded

only if you qualify, only if you’re white, only if you control who votes

Control and domination will be your reward

Valley International Poetry Festival Schedule

Valley International Poetry Festival

KICKOFF EVENT: BOUNDLESS (ANTHOLOGY) RELEASE PARTY

Thursday, APR 23

7 TO 9 P.M.

Mission Historical Museum (900 E. Doherty, Mission)

 (956) 580-8646

 http://www.missionmuseum.org/programs-and-events.html

 Note: Bus. 83 in Mission splits into one-way streets.

 Book sales are limited to the anthology. All other events are open for book sales.

 Outdoor event (weather permitting).

 Donations welcome: $$$, cookies, chocolate.

FRIDAY, APR. 24

  

POETS IN THE SCHOOLS

 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

 Progreso High School

 Poets: Laura Peña, Danielle Hernández, Lucinda Zamora-Wiley, Eddie Vega

 Amalia Ortiz, Featued Poet, Eddie Vega, Jeannette Moreno, Odilia Galván Rodríguez

 San Benito High School

 Poets: Beto Conde, Gene Novogrodsky, Jim Griswold, Bryan Nichols, Alejandro Sanchez, Meliton Hinojosa

  

Weslaco East High School

 810 S Pleasantview Dr, Weslaco, TX 78596
Poets: Trevor Wainwright, Alonzo Spiceman Acosta , Daniel García Ordaz

  

UT-Pan American
1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX

 Room: ARHU 256 (upstairs)

 2 p.m.

 Poets: PW Covington (Featured Poet), Shirley A. Rickett (Featured Poet), Katie Hoerth, Mary Ann Escamilla, Amy Becker-Chambless, Charles McGregor, Jeannette Moreno McNeill, and César De León

 Contact: Katie Hoerth and Marianita Escamilla

 Note: Pre-event lunch is planned, and there will be cookies! Student Open Mic after.

FRIDAY, APR. 24

 POETRY SLAM

 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Flying Walrus (downtown McAllen)

 204 S 17th St, McAllen, TX 78501
(956) 627-0211

 Note: Downtown Parking Garage (221 S. 15th St. McAllen)

 7—8 p.m. STC and UTPA Student Readings

 8—8:40 p.m. Featured Poet not competing in Slam

 8:40—9:30 Adult Poetry Slam Contest

 Note: Only Registered Poets may compete.

SATURDAY, APR. 25: Concurrent Readings Across the RGV

 GROUP ONE: LOS AQUI NOMAS! McAllen/Mission (scroll down for GROUP TWO)

 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Three Concurrent Workshops and Readings

 McAllen Creative Incubator

 601 N. Main St., McAllen

 (956) 687-2787

Workshop #1: “Poem as Planet”

 9* to 10 a.m.

 Shirley Rickett, Featured Poet, author of Transplant

 Note: Room is in 2^nd Floor; max: 30. Public welcome, but Registered Poets get priority.

  

Workshop #2: “Postcard Poetry”

 10 to 11 a.m.

 Laura Peña, member, Academy of American Poets

 Note: Room is in 2^nd Floor; max: 30.  Public welcome, but Registered Poets get priority.

 Workshop #3: “Arrivals: A Look at the Endings of William Stafford Poems”

 9* to 11 a.m.

 Featured Poet Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, finalist for the 2015 International Latino Book Awards

 Note: This will be a two-hour workshop (with a break and time to share.)

 Room is in 2^nd Floor; max: 30. Public welcome, but Registered Poets get priority.

Quickie Readings: 11 to 12 p.m. (strict end time)

 Featured and Registered Poets Only will read; No open-mic.

 12—2:00 p.m. (Lunch—on your own)

 2—4:30 p.m.: Afternoon Delight Readings

 Mission Historical Museum (900 E. Doherty, Mission)

 (956) 580-8646

 http://www.missionmuseum.org/programs-and-events.html

  Featured Poets: Amalia Ortiz, Edward Vidaurre, Erika Garza Johnson, Shirley A. Rickett, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez

 Registered Poets: Daniel García Ordaz, Nianna Gustovich, Marianita Escamilla, Laura Peña, Jeannette Moreno McNeill, Harold Rodinsky, Eddie Vega, Danielle Hernández, Charles McGregor, César De León, Amy Becker-Chambless

* * * *

 GROUP TWO: LOS TRAVELERS

10—11 a.m.: Workshop

 Paragraphs On Padre, South Padre Island (Bay side)

 "Mobility in Poetry; Continuing Beat Travelogues," by Featured Poet PW Covington

 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Just A Quickie Readings

 Paragraphs On Padre, South Padre Island (Bay side: 505 Padre Blvd. SPI)

 Featured Poet (about 10 min.): PW Covington

 Registered Poets (about 7 min.): Emily J. Foltz, Katie Hoerth, Trevor Wainwright, Odilia Galván Rodríguez, Meliton Hinojosa Jr., Lucinda Zamora-Wiley, James Griswold, Arturo Saldaña, Julieta Corpus, Alonzo Acosta

 Note: It’s possible books may be considered for purchase by the store—at a discount. Check books in upon arrival.

 Lunchtime Readings: 11:15—12:15

 Rio Grande Grill

 417 W Van Buren Ave, Harlingen, opens at 11 a.m.
(956) 423-1817

 Registered Poets: Eugene Novogrodsky, Chip Dameron, Beto Conde, Brenda Nettles Riojas, Alejandro Sánchez, John R. Meza

 Afternoon Delight Readings: 1 to 2:45 p.m.

 Galeria 409

 409 E. 13^th Street, Brownsville

 (956) 455-3599

 Readings by Registered Poets: Eugene Novogrodsky, Chip Dameron, Emily J. Foltz, Beto Conde, Brenda Nettles Riojas, Alejandro Sánchez, John R. Meza

 Lunchtime Readings: Afternoon Delight

 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

 Rio Grande Grill

 417 W Van Buren Ave, Harlingen, opens at 11 a.m.
(956) 423-1817

 Featured Poet PW Covington

Registered Poets: Katie Hoerth, Trevor Wainwright, Odilia Galván Rodríguez, Meliton Hinojosa Jr., Lucinda Zamora-Wiley, Linda Romero, James Griswold

  

POETRY PACHANGA IX

  

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

 (1200 Ash Ave., McAllen)

 6 to 7 p.m.: Private Dinner

 Note: For Featured & Registered Poets & Pre-Paid Guests Only

 Doors open to the public at 6:45 p.m. Books, t-shirts, CDs, available for sale.

 7—8:30 Featured Poets Readings:

 Amalia Ortiz

 Cindy Williams Gutiérrez

 Edward Vidaurre

 Erika Garza Johnson

 PW Covington

 Shirley A. Rickett

 8:30—9 p.m.: Registered Poets: Haiku or 1-Minute Poems Only!

Alejandro Sánchez, Alonzo Acosta, Amy Becker-Chambless, Arturo Saldaña, Beto Conde, Brenda Nettles Riojas, Bryan Nichols, César De León, Charles McGregor, Chip Dameron, Daniel García Ordaz, Danielle Hernández, Eddie Vega, Emily J. Foltz, Eugene Novogrodsky, Harold Rodinsky, James Griswold, Jeannette Moreno McNeill, John R. Meza, Julieta Corpus, Kathy Raines, Katie Hoerth, Laura Peña, Linda Romero, Lucinda Zamora-Wiley, Marianita Escamilla, Mark Vasquez, Meliton Hinojosa Jr., Nianna Gustovich, Odilia Galván Rodríguez, Trevor Wainwright

 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.: Open Mic (one poem—3 min. Registered Poets Only)

SUNDAY, APR. 26

 10 a.m. Dr. Gloria E. Anzaldúa Panteón visit

 Note: Must RSVP so we know to expect you, since directions take too long.

 Meet @ Starbucks at Hwy. 107/University Drive in Edinburg. Leave at 10:05 a.m.

 Lunch at Treviño’s in Edinburg for anyone interested.

 

Headed to the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival (VIPF) 4/23--4/26 in McAllen TX

I'm going to hear many wonderful poets, get the opportunity to read two of my poems, and see McAllen Texas.....another mini-cooper adventure :-) AND a burger at  Dairy Burger in Alice TX !!

Reception Desk

Certain memories hide in dusty corners

unseen unheard until

they suddenly materialize

returning unbidden

summoned by a silent voice or unseen hand

embellished and improved over  time

tailored to our present desires, our needs

A long line of guys

    a mixer/date evening

    pre-paired by  two dorms

expectancy running high

in the lobby of the girls dorm

leaning across the reception desk

  mischievous smile, green eyes, blue button down,

  khaki shorts , penny loafers

“Who are you meeting?”

“…just a sec I’ll call her

and let her know you are waiting.”

Did 30-seconds pass?  did 45?

instantaneous and timeless impossibly together

this briefest of moments lasting more than 50 years

this chance meeting

tempered my excitement

and could not see,  nor remember with clarity

the girl who announced

“I’m here, who is the lucky guy?”

but have often remembered with great detail

and embedded feelings

the girl at the desk

Clown Car

The clown car is loading, like stuffing a pork chop,

the clowns keep arriving one at a time, pushy-clowns

trying to outdo each other with their self-righteous smugness,

holier than thou, holier than each other,  authoritarians  

before the 1950’s there were no clown cars

in back, behind the driver sits an un-declared wannabe

who diminished  the unions and defunded the universities

thus establishing an a priori claim of the fitness needed

to conduct international war against America’s enemies

war is good for coke

the passenger seat is filled by the man who talks to G-d

and relates that he was  told that he alone is anointed—by G-d

to restore this Christian country?  

to a perception of imagination, that never was

the founding fathers separated church and state: On purpose

another  in back, a declared isolationist,

publisher or author of racist material,  he claims he didn’t write

but maybe his predecessor clown wrote it,  oh well

it was long ago at a different circus

or the same circus at a different time

imagine no circus, no need for clowns no rings or tents no donkeys or elephants

just a return to logic and reason

not relative or opportunistic or situationally appropriate based on who’s buying tickets

paying for the music, the food, the wine

The car is filling fast and more clowns are coming

4 declared, 1 pending, 9 with formal interest, 9 with public interest 

Seaside Oregon # 1

Existing on both sides of the main street

small shops competing for those

who buy porcelain seagulls

and frozen tiny starfish encased in Lucite

on their weekend at the coast, their vacations by the ocean

at the coast, walking up and down both sides of the street,

going in each shop looking for different seagulls

shoes never touching the sand,  “look at the waves honey”

up the street passing the fascinating money game,

a shuttered movie house and bowling alley, and the arcade

men’s clothes, shooting galleries, and more small seagulls ready to sit on a desk or mantle

but not the real seagulls fishing in the tide, standing in the sand

but close enough to eat Caramel Corn,

fudge, salt water taffy, sea foam,

pronto pups slathered with mustard

watching the bumper cars, or other people, dripping  yellow mustard on their shirts

as a kid I wondered where all the tchotchke came from

who collected the baby star fish, the sand-dollars,

where did all those bermuda shorts and sensible shoes come from,

as an adult I wondered seagull stores were laundering money

as I aged and became cynical the baby starfish never changed their outlook,

forever of one purpose, the ceramic seagulls never shifting,

sand-dollars constant in their value

no renewal, the storefronts constant with different contents

the shooting gallery became a kite shop

Seaside Pharmacy a tee–shirt and schamata shop,

when I go to Seaside I still head for the  pronto pups

before I walk to the beach

The book is Available

Through the Eyes of the Crow

Apr 4, 2015

by Harold Rodinsky

Paperback

$9.99

Get it by Friday, Apr 10

More Buying Choices

$9.99used & new(5 offers)

---

Kindle Edition

$2.99

Available for Pre-order. 

This item will be released on April 10, 2015.

But things changed

I use to vote because I was brought up believe voting was a right

a privilege, an obligation, a way to participate

when people voted for an certain political party or man in a party

they were supporting a political outlook , similar enough,

with some give and take, to their beliefs

about how they wanted the country to be run, how the country should be run

so therefore when a person voted they were showing faith

that politicians would abide by their word

do what they said they were going to do, implementing the will of the voters

if not zip- bang they were gone in heartbeat in the next election

you had to be 21 to vote or buy alcohol, an arbitrary number indicating adultness   

(but only 18 to buy cigarettes or go to Viet Nam)

All well and good for discourse in a political science class,

starting in grade school where we were taught to be good citizens,

or dinner table civics lessons, led by those who barely survived

the great depression and were determined to endow their children

with the social idea that politics was to provide for a more equal, the common good,

thus becoming a person’s public  social conscious

and in those days, those ideals became manifest

and people’s lives got better than they were during the great depression

people had jobs, schools had enough money, people could afford college

people could go to the doctor, save money, have a car, go on vacation,  

be a boy scout or campfire girl, and nobody dared call the president a liar,

(at least not in public)

Coming very soon !!

Print Edition

KIndle Edition