As They Say in the Old Country, Fleas Navidog . . .

ICHC

Quote of the Day

I believe that Science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician; he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.

  - Marie Curie, via Science in a Can.

Time to Take Stock

Lu at Regular Rumination gave us a few questions about The Poetry Project to consider.



1). What has been the most rewarding aspect of The Poetry Project so far?

This one is easy for me. The greatest reward of participating in the Poetry Project has been in becoming acquainted with all the other wonderful bloggers who have contributed as well. They've given me encouragement and inspiration, and I continue to grow and learn.

2). What is your favorite post from a fellow Poetry Project participant this year?

I'd have to say Lu's "How to Love a Poem." There have been books and articles galore written about writing poetry and analyzing poetry, but not much in the way of just plain loving it. Being that so many folks, even avid readers, say they dislike poetry, I think this is a wonderful thing. We need much more in this vein.

3). What is your favorite poem that you have read because of The Poetry Project?
I have a new current favorite, courtesy of Jeanne at Necromancy never pays. (which I have dutifully stolen)

Perhaps the World Ends Here
 - Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

4). What are some poetry-related goals you’d like to set for the coming year?

My goals for last year were to write and edit more of my own poetry, and I have done so. But what I haven't done is research markets and submit. I never seem to find time. I'd hazard a guess that I am entertaining a bit of denial. Soooooooo . . . That would be my goal for the new year.

5). Do you have any suggestions for The Poetry Project in 2013? What would you like to see happen?

I like the structure now. There is support whether you are a free spirit or like a little extra inspiration. Because of the loose structure the contributions are wide ranging and offer so many wonderful surprises.

6). Share with us one line of poetry that you think we need to read.

I guess it's a sign of my age. For the longest time, I never really cared for J. Alfred Prufrock, but it seems to be growing on me. I grow old . . . I grow old . . . / I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.   

7). Is there a new poet that you have discovered through The Poetry Project?

There are many. Nancy Cudis over at Simple Clockwork has opened my eyes to some gifted poets that I'm saving my pennies to get a hold of, (I'm going to need a lot of pennies) Jaime An Lim being one, Cebuano poet E. Gadiana Cabras, for another. I believe each and every contributor to the Poetry Project has introduced me to a poet I've never read or a poem I've overlooked.

8). Anything else you would like to share?
I'm just grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Poetry Project. Some are self assured and courageous while others are timid and unsure, but all are wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

And I Wish You All . . .

13 Days of Cephalopodmas

On the first day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the second day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the third day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the fourth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the fifth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the sixth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the seventh day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the eigth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the ninth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Nine tentacles strangling,
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the tenth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Ten ammonites,
Nine tentacles strangling,
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the eleventh day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Eleven Architeuthis,
Ten ammonites,
Nine tentacles strangling,
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the twelfth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Twelve inks sacs squirting,
Eleven Architeuthis,
Ten ammonites,
Nine tentacles strangling,
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

On the thirteenth day of Cephalopodmas,
Cthulhu gave to me
Thirteen Hapalochlaena,
Twelve ink sacs squirting,
Eleven Architeuthis,
Ten ammonites,
Nine tentacles strangling,
Vampyroteuthis infernalis,
Seven photophores a-flashing,
Six arms a-flaying,
Grimpoteuthis,
Four snapping beaks,
Three suckers,
Two cuttlefish,
And Histioteuthis heteropsis.

Caitlin R. Kiernan

Oops!

‘Twas Cephalopodmas Eve, . . .

                                              . . . and all though the dark hall,
No creature dared stir, or even move much at all.
The children were in their beds, sleeping all through the night,
While their much wiser parents could but shiver with fright.

Only Cuddlefish and I were awake at that hour,
With no sanity left for the dark beast to devour.
We hung tori on the tree, having nothing to fear,
Just hoping that Cthulhu would come visit this year.

Then we knew our unholiday cheer was not lacking,
When from up on the roof came a shrill muffled clacking!
We could sense his arrival then, quite unresisted;
Our minds filled with his scent, evil, bitter and twisted;

Our first sight was a tentacle, dark, writhing and curled;
A terrifying tendril that could grasp all the world.
My gaze leapt from that limb to his visage, slick and foul,
When from his horrible mouth came a mind-piercing howl!

I stood there quite resolutely and showed him no dread,
While his invisible mind-tendrils groped at my head;

Of the things that came next, I have but little to speak;
I quite nearly burst open with an ecstatic shriek.

And just as I fainted with a soft whimper and sigh,
I heard him exclaim with a gurgled alien cry:

Ia! Ia! Ia! Mlq’weh Cephalopodmas gwgr fa,
Ng mlq’weh utr’fn wo thir cthan wo tala!

Source. 

Looking Foreword to a Visit from Santa Buddha . . .

Photo source.

Every Little Bit Helps . . .

 

Please,

in the spirit of Cephalopodmas,

help save The Pacific Northwest tree octopus
(Octopus paxarbolis).