Chaparral from the California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. serving Californiaupdr poets for over 60 yearsaftsVolume 65, No. 2 • March, 2004 President James Shuman, PSJ Scots appoint first poet laureate First Vice President by Matthew Taylor for The Guardian Jeremy Shuman, PSJ Glasgow-born Morgan was “the obvious choice”, said Scotland’s first minister. Second Vice President Katharine Wilson, RF Scotland created its first poet laureate February 16, breaking with 336 years of Third Vice President tradition. Edwin Morgan was appointed the Scots makar (poet) by the first minister, Jack Pegasus Buchanan, Tw McConnell, who said the Glasgow-born poet was the obvious choice. Fourth Vice President “This position will symbolise the success of Scot- Eric Donald, Or tish poets in the past and the potential of Scottish own poet laureate and their relation to Scotland and Treasurer poetry in the future,” he said. “I hope that the Scots other parts of the UK,” he said. Ursula Gibson, Tw makar will inspire young Scots to enjoy, and indeed Mr. Motion said: “I see it as a sign that at last people Recording Secretary to write, poetry.” are wanting to demonstrate that they want to have Lee Collins, Tw Prof. Morgan’s work spans six decades and some poetry as a part of a cultural map.” Corresponding Secretary of his best known poems, such as The Second Life The unpaid position will last for three years. Dorothy Marshall, Tw (1968) and From Glasgow to Saturn (1973), have Edwin Morgan’s poem,”Strawberries” is on page 2 Members-at-Large Chair been taught in Scottish schools. Frances Yordan, FG In the Times he admitted that his new position Convention plans detailed Monthly Contest Chair would be “a kind of rival post” to Britain’s poet lau- Developed around the theme of Flight, an excit- Pegasus Buchanan, Tw reate, Andrew Motion. ing and enjoyable program of events awaits us at the “[Mr. Motion’s] post is officially for the United Convention Chair, 2004 Convention in the Ontario Airport Marriott April 30 Marjorie Voigt, Tw Kingdom but essentially it’s an English post. It has – May 2. Registration forms for the convention and Convention Program Chair never been held by any Welsh, Irish or Scottish poet, for hotel lodging are included in this issue. Pegasus Buchanan, Tw so this is a good thing. Those who have attended past conventions can Annual Contest Chair “It will possibly make the English think about their Lisabeth Shuman, M@L attest to the enthusiasm that envelops participants as Youth Contest Chair they have opportunities to meet and share with other Norma King Green, VW SF Poetry Center flourishing poets from through-out the state. Newcomers are en- Children’s Poetry Fair Within its walls are the sounds of Auden, couraged to bring their notebooks, binders, journals Betty Jean Reynolds, PSJ Ginsberg and Walker. Their words still echo at — wherever they keep their treasured compositions the Poetry Center, 50 years after its birth. — so that they will be prepared to read from their Publications Chair by Heidi Benson, Chronicle Staff Writer own work as they attend the nightly read-arounds James Shuman, PSJ throughout the weekend. Roster and ByLaws Chair There are at least two versions of the Poetry Cen- The Registration Table will open at 3 pm on Fri- Jeremy Shuman, PSJ ter’s creation myth, and both involve Dylan Thomas. day, April 30, and an afternoon audience-participa- Archivist and Librarian In the most oft-told tale, the seed was planted by tion program will be offered on the topic, Favorite Katharine Wilson, RF the wild Welshman on a 1951 visit hosted by San Poems Written by Other Poets. For this activity, mem- Millennium Poetry Francisco State Professor Ruth Witt-Diamant. bers are asked to bring books or other printed copies C. Joy Haas, RF Reportedly the poet declaimed, “There’s a lot of of poems by other authors that they would like to share. nasty ideas you poets out here have. You should have Web Site The official opening is scheduled for 7 pm, with a a poetry center.” www.ChaparralPoets.org greeting from local city officials, followed by anec- In another version, the story starts in Wales. As dotes of past CFCP activities to challenge the histori- Mark Linenthal, director of the Poetry Center from FEDERATION ans among us, concluded naturally by the ever-popu- 1966-72, recalls it, “Ruth was visiting Thomas, and lar read-arounds. Convention Chair Marjorie Voigt has of he was drunk most of the time at the bar.” her eye on a lovely spot on the third floor above the CHAPARRAL Apparently, this left her plenty of time for con- lobby, where there is plenty of room, a variety of types templation. of seating, pleasant lighting, and an open atmosphere. “She was wondering what she should do for po- Saturday will begin with Meet the Authors in the poets CALIFORNIA inc. continued on page two: “Poetry Center” continued on page two: ‘Convention’

Copyright 2004 California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. Chaparral Updrafts, Volume 65, No. 2, March 2004. All rights reserved. Poets retain rights to their poems. Copyright 2004 California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. All rights reserved. Poets retain rights to their poems.

Poetry Center in San Francisco a rare experience Chaparral continued from page one chives collection is that of Theodore updrafts etry in San Francisco when she got back, so she Roethke, who gave the inaugural reading gathered ideas from all the locals about what a at the Poetry Center in February 1954. Editor & Publisher ...... James Shuman poetry center should be,” Linenthal says. “Very soon after, he got the Pulitzer 2521 Meadow Rue Drive The tenacious Witt-Diamant gained the Prize, and Ruth thought, ‘We must be do- Modesto, CA 95355-3910 ing something right,’ “ Linenthal recalls. 209-523-6954 FAX 209-521-8778 institution’s support and founded the Poetry Center in 1954 — that everyone agrees on. That reading wasn’t tape recorded, but Treasurer ...... Ursula T. Gibson And the author of “Do Not Go Gentle Into — as Dickison surmises — it’s likely that P O Box 806, Tujunga, CA 91043 That Good Night,” who died in ’53 at just 39, Kenneth Rexroth, the poet who helped 818-353-7174 has a permanent place in the legend. found KPFA-FM, lured Roethke into the Corresponding Secretary But since those events weren’t recorded, the studio at the radio station. The clue: ...... Dorothy Marshall definitive story will never be known. Roethke reading the same poems from that 430 Eleventh St, Pomona, CA 91766 event is audiotape is #1 — the very first In a clear case of poetic justice, the center — 888-308-7488 — in the Poetry Center archives. now called the Poetry Center & American Po- continued next issue Please send news and information items to etry Archives at San Francisco State University the editor one month in advance of intended — has become one of the most important re- publication date. positories of poetry recordings in the nation. For questions involving membership, either Strawberries That feat is ripe for celebration this week, as new or renewal, please contact the treasurer. There were never strawberries the center marks its 50th anniversary — at a time Be sure to visit our new web site: like the ones we had when preservation of these pieces of history is http://www.ChaparralPoets.org that sultry afternoon urgent. sitting on the step Convention plans Festivities begin with a benefit event Satur- of the open french window day night featuring Adrienne Rich, Ishmael facing each other announced Reed, Michael McClure, Robin Blaser and Etel your knees held in mine continued from page one Adnan, plus “rare voices from the American the blue plates in our laps book room, with sessions across the hall in Poetry Archives collection.” the strawberries glistening one of the large ballroom salons, while up- There was a time not so long ago when space in the hot sunlight stairs a day-long Youth Poetry Festival will was so tight that the collection — stored between we dipped them in sugar be underway. a boiler room and a photo lab — was nearly looking at each other The Poets’ Luncheon will be held in the thrown out. The university came to the rescue: not hurrying the feast 3-story Atrium of the Lobby, concluded with In 1995, a new Humanities building included for one to come a program of piano music by Dr. Henry climate-controlled rooms for the tapes. the empty plates Sheng. Further sessions will be presented in The collection represents the evolution of laid on the stone together the afternoon and evening, followed, of magnetic tape from the ’50s on — not a pretty with the two forks crossed course, by a read-around. history, since manufacturers were experiment- and I bent towards you sweet in that air Main sessions will include Everett Ruess: ing with new, often failed, technologies. in my arms Poet, Artist, Adventurer; Poetry on the Web, By the time the collection was moved to its abandoned like a child It Only Hurts When I Laugh; a two-part ses- new home, some tapes were disintegrating and from your eager mouth sion on Sonnets; a slide and prose poem com- many were too brittle to play without damaging the taste of strawberries mentary; and a two-person Poetic Dialog. them. A 1998 NEA grant provided two new com- in my memory puters to speed the process of digitizing the The Annual Board Meeting will open the lean back again tapes, but progress is slow. Sunday program, followed by a morning let me love you seminar. Winners in the Annual Contest will The three-person staff includes business be presented beginning at 1 pm, and the manager Elise Ficarra. There’s director Steve let the sun beat Golden Pegasus Banquet will begin at 7 pm. Dickison — who develops all the programming on our forgetfulness Dr. Timothy Steele, UCLA professor and and teaches a course based on each year’s sea- one hour of all poet, and leader of the New Formalist Move- son of visiting poets (this year’s 15-week sea- the heat intense ment, will be the guest speaker. Truly com- son includes 18 poetry programs). And there’s and summer lightning mitted participants will no doubt stay for one tech-whiz Jiri Veskrna, whose job as on the Kilpatrick hills more session of read-arounds. In past years videographer and archives manager is funded this informal session has sometimes been for just two-thirds time. let the storm wash the plates known to run into the wee hours. Poetry on tape? Priceless. —Edwin Morgan continued on page four One of the “rare voices” from the Poetry Ar-

PAGE 2 Chaparral Updrafts Copyright 2004 California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. All rights reserved. Poets retain rights to their poems. A handy info-page Here is the page you’ll want to have handy CFCP, Inc. Monthly Contests when people ask how to join CFCP, or for Except where otherwise indicated, poems are limited to 28 lines R U L E S your own double-checking of the monthly JANUARY — Free Verse Contests are open to all poets in the contest categories and rules. Both items are United States and Canada. Each poem contained in a convenient reference source: FEBRUARY — Poet’s Choice submitted must be typewritten on stan- dard size paper with the contest month one that can be photocopied and given to pro- MARCH — Any Subject, Any Style spective new members or pinned on the bul- in the upper right-hand corner. Send APRIL — Light or Humorous Verse ONE COPY of each poem with author’s letin board above your desk. name and address in the upper left- And be sure to send in your poems to the MAY—Poet’s Choice hand corner of the reverse side. Ad- monthly contest... it’s where many of us first dress labels are acceptable. Multiple JUNE — Children, Pets or Places entries are especially welcome. see our names in print! The price is so mini- JULY — no contest Only UNPUBLISHED POEMS and po- mal you can hardly afford to pass up the ems not previously awarded a money chance. Notice that many of the categories AUGUST — Poet’s Choice prize are eligible. A fee of one dollar are open-ended enough to accept almost any ($1.00) must accompany entry for each SEPTEMBER — Any Subject, Any Style type or style or subject. Look through that poem submitted. Send cash or make OCTOBER — Any Poem 24 Lines or Fewer checks to CFCP, Inc. DEADLINE is the collection you’ve been holding back and see last day of the contest month. Enve- if you have something to enter. NOVEMBER — Nature (any style) lope must be postmarked no later than Also, the membership year has moved into 12 midnight of that day. Print contest DECEMBER — no contest month on outside of mailing envelope. its second phase, meaning that new members can join for just $12! Please think in terms NOTE: In any month wherein insufficient entries are received, those poems which were submitted of making a copy and giving this handy form will be held over and judged with the entries for the following month. to an interested friend or acquaintance. It can be completed and returned (along with a 1st prize: $25.00 2nd prize: $15.00 3rd prize: $10.00 check) to your chapter treasurer, who will Poems will be returned only if a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed. Allow one month after closing date then send it in to the state. of contest before sending poems elsewhere. Winning poems will be printed in the Chaparral Newsletter. Make a few copies of this page to carry with you and hand them to your friends and CALIFORNIA ➸ Pegasus Buchanan acquaintances. Leave a few copies at your FEDERATION mail contest Monthly Contest Editor, CFCP, Inc. OF CHAPARRAL entries to 1422 Ashland Avenue library or on the bulletin board at the local POETS, INC. college or university. let’s all recruit a few Claremont, CA 91711 new members. Get the word out!

✔ How to Become a Member I definitely want to be a member of the check the appropriate item: YES! Membership Annual/Renewal ...... $1500 California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. for the year 2004. New Member (February 1 to April 30) ...... $1200 New Member (May 1 to July 31) ...... $750 1 50 00 75 NAME Spouse ( ⁄2 regular member) ...... $7 , $6 , or $3 Junior (under 21; show proof of age)...... $300 Donation (specify amount) ...... ADDRESS I am interested in joining a Chapter in my area (name of Chapter) I wish to join as a Member-at-Large. CITY STATE ZIP We wish to form a Chapter of our own (5 or more PHONE ( ) FAX ( ) Regular Members are required to form a new Chapter) to be called E-MAIL Members-at-Large: Clip this form and mail along with a check or money order made payable to CFCP, Inc. to: Your membership includes all issues of the newsletter, Updrafts, free entry in the Annual Frances Yordan, Members-at-Large Chairman, 2575 W. San Contest, Monthly Contest information, and Membership Roster every 2 years during the Jose Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711-2733. membership period. All memberships renew between 8/1 and 12/31 yearly. Persons All Others: Send this form along with a check or money order joining between February 1 and July 31 will use the pro-rated formula. New memberships made payable to CFCP, Inc. to: received between August 1 and December 31 will be extended for the following full year. CFCP Treasurer, P.O. Box 806, Tujunga, CA 91043-0806. * Those who desire to continue membership with a chapter, please remit dues to your local chapter treasurer.

FEBRUARY 2004 PAGE 3 Copyright 2004 California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. Chaparral Updrafts, Volume 65, No. 2, March 2004. All rights reserved. Poets retain rights to their poems. Convention plans Hotel guest room space at a premium continued from page two Members who have not yet made their res- request on the list. Mention the manager, Clay Among those slated to present during ervations at the Marriott may find their choices Miale, and the Convention Chair, Marge Voight. the weekend are Pegasus Buchanan, Lee limited. Due to a scheduling change on the part If you have already made reservations but were Collins, Dr. Jack Fulbeck, Ursula Gibson, of another organization, a heavy demand has not booked for Friday night — and you want to be Mary and Wil Hurley, Elaine Lazzeroni, been placed on rooms for the weekend of the — please do not wait until you arrive to make the Marie Searles, Anna Mae Johnson Terrell, convention, and some members have reported changes. You should also contact the hotel as soon Keith Van Vliet, and Richard Thielo. being told nothing was available. as possible and follow the above procedure. Make Poets are encouraged to bring copies That group will still be using the hotel’s guest certain that the clerk understands you are request- rooms on Friday night, and some of them may of their recent publications and place them ing a modification to your existing reservation. stay on Saturday. Marjorie Voight, Convention for sale in the book room. Anyone need- Chair, and the hotel manager, Clay Miale, are Poetry Foundation Update ing a space reserved in the book room working through this. He assures us that the needs to contact Convention Chair Christian Wiman recently replaced Joseph Par- Marriott staff will do everything possible to help isi as editor of Poetry, the 91-year-old monthly lit- Marjorie Voigt in advance to make the ap- us secure rooms at the special rate, but Friday propriate arrangements. erary magazine published by the Chicago-based night is almost sold out. He feels they will be Poetry Foundation, formerly known as the Modern able to accommodate all of us, but we may have Apprentice to the Flower Poet Z Poetry Association. Last June the organization ex- to put our names on a waiting list for a few days panded its mission to include book publishing— by Debra Weinstein. (Random House, $23.95.) before receiving a confirmation. The April 9 under the Poetry Press imprint—and summer teach- A deliciously nasty first novel set in a deadline is still good. ers’ institutes designed to provide educators with geography that precisely evokes New York So... please go ahead and call or send in your training in presenting poetry to their students. Parisi, University and features a great fraud of a reservations. It is important to contact the hotel editor of the magazine for 20 years, was named the poet (Z.) who seeks perfection of the life, immediately if you intend to make a reserva- foundation’s executive director of publications and leaving her work to be done by the book’s tion. Make sure the person you speak with un- programs. In January the Foundation named John true heroine, Annabelle Goldsmith, Z.’s ap- derstands you are reserving a room for the CFCP Barr as its president. Barr, a founder and managing prentice and dogsbody. Annabelle re- (Chaparral) Convention, and emphasize that we director of SG Barr Devlin Associates, an invest- searches Z.’s poems and soon enough even have been assured we will be accommodated, ment banking firm in New York City, is also a pub- writes them; the author, herself a real poet, and you are willing to wait a few days for a con- lished poet and a president emeritus of the nonprofit

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