Women Bearing All

What we learn from those we admire!

This is a stamped emblem in the sidewalk at Filbert and Green in San Francisco - just a moments walk from the Cafe Trieste and City Lights Books (of Lawrence Ferlinghetti fame).

My sister lives on this block and I just visited. The whole time I lived in San Francisco, I didn't know this was there. It has no doubt been there since the Beatniks ruled The City. Trust me, I want to know more about this - how many more are there in San Francisco? - is this the only one? It seems to be made of something incredibly sturdy - metal stamped into concrete - saying, "Poets are here to stay!" Don't you love that?

I just got my copy of "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg down off the shelf and noticed a very similar logo for CityLights Publishers - so it was probably commissioned. But honestly, how fun is it to have found this right on the corner of the block where my sister lives?

Sisters Yoga Poetry Yoga Jam!

Sisters Yoga invites you to:

Sisters Yoga Poetry Yoga Jam!

Part 1 When: Thursday, January 11th 2006 Time: 7:00-8:30 PM (may run later depending on # of participants) Fee: $55 for both parts. Poses and Prose: Explore poses that promote mental clarity, increased creativity and self-expression--a tool for your life, your job, your family. Published poet and yogini Chaz will show poses for writer's block and pranic (energy) blocks. Bring your favorite poem and be prepared to share with the group why you enjoy it. We will participate in a writing exercise to explain the differences between an abstract and a concrete image. An assignment will be given for Part 2 that ties in what you just learned with your daily yoga experience. Open your mind and creative heart. All are welcome; no writing experience necessary.

Part 2 When: Thursday, January 18th, 2006 Time: 7:00-8:30 PM (may be later depending on # of participants) Heart openers and hearfelt poetry: Participants will enjoy heart openers to welcome in all contributions and creative spirits. We will share the products of our assignment in a warm and welcoming environment while reaping the benefit of constructive criticism. If desired, poems will be showcased on Sisters Yoga website. Experience the creative light that can be enhanced from our yoga practice.

Reserve your spot! Space is limited. 298-1444 or http://www.sistersyoga.com

Our story begins...

The first meeting of the Women Bearing All group of female poets was a tremendous event. We met at El Tea in Fresno - near Piccadilly Inn off Shaw - and what a wonderfully relaxing place. It is the kind of place where you can feel your heartrate start to slow, your synapses begin to unfurl from being clinched and zinging, you breathe deeply and sigh and realize you haven't done that for a while. Ahhh.

Oh what a lovely hubbub!

This morning I opened my email to find an entry on the beautiful blog of author Patti Digh - in which she receives a personal note from Billy Collins - the poet I most admire. My heart stopped. I read it again slowly - the words from Billy - the magical, lyrical sounds of love and lilacs, the deep admiration from one poet to another. I went rushing through the house to breathlessly announce to my husband my outrageous jealousy, my petty smallness at wanting to snatch the letter from her hand and make it be to me. He was putting his boots on for a day out working in the cold, and try as he might, could not grasp the depth of my hysteria. Just last night I was compiling my submission to a poetry contest that Billy Collins is judging.