Saturday, 23 November 2024

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Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography.

Poets Tom Montag and David Graham have just published a fine anthology, “Local News: Poetry About Small Towns,” from MWPH Books, P.O. Box 8, in Fairwater, Wisconsin.

Here’s one of the many poems I’ve enjoyed, by Peggy Trojan, who lives in Wisconsin.

Ms. Trojan published her first poem in 2010 at the age of 77. “All That Matters: Collected poems 2010-2018,” is her fifth book.

Noon Hour

Unless hot lunch at school
was serving something special
like corn chowder
and baking powder biscuits
or creamed chipped beef
potatoes and brownies
I went home
to what my
mother made
like most town kids

Jack walked the furthest
almost to the river
to his unpainted house
by the railroad tracks
We all knew nobody was there
his mom at the tavern already
He always came back
just in time for the bell.


American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2019 by Peggy Trojan, “Noon Hour,” from Local News: Poetry About Small Towns, (MWPH Books, 2019). Poem reprinted by permission of Peggy Trojan and the publisher. Introduction copyright @2019 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
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Good Measure includes, back row, left to right, Richard Vassilaros, Doug Harris and Bill Bordisso; front row, Ingrid Larson and Sissa Harris. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The annual winter concert series at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake opens its 2020 season on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. in Riffe’s Meeting House next to the Hotel with a lively and harmonious group of local musicians called “Good Measure.”

“We really enjoy these informal house concerts,” said Tallman owner Bernie Butcher. “It’s a relaxing Sunday afternoon with some of the finest musicians in the area. The January show should be particularly fun with this highly talented and entertaining quintet of well-known local musicians.”

Good Measure makes its own style of acoustic music, which is influenced by folk, pop, rock & roll, jazz, Cajun, country and bluegrass. They blend three- and four-part harmonies accompanied by a wide variety of instruments.

Sissa Harris comes from a classical background whereas husband Doug is a product of the 60’s folk tradition. Doug and Sissa travel regularly in Scotland, visiting small town pubs where they appreciate and perform Scottish folk music. They enhance Good Measure with their vocals and fine artistry on the guitar, mandala, harmonica, melodica and ukulele.

Ingrid Larsen delights audiences with her sweet and captivating voice. Bill Bordisso’s instruments are sometimes the (undeserved, he says) brunt of jokes, but he spins mighty tunes enlivening the group with his accordion, banjo, saxophone and dobro. Richard Vassilaros grounds the band with his fine bass guitar.

Coffee and cookies are served as part of the $25 + tax price of admission. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com and further information can be obtained at the Tallman Hotel, 707-275-2244, Extension 0). The hotel is also offering a 10-percent discount on hotel bookings that weekend for people purchasing tickets to the concert.
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Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography.

There’s a very fine book, “Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems,” published by Grayson Books of West Hartford, Connecticut, and I’ve found a number of poems for this column there.

Here’s another, this one by Ellen Bass, who lives in California, and whose most recent book of poetry is “Like a Beggar.”

The Thing Is

to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you down like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.


American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2002 by Ellen Bass, "The Thing Is," from Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems, (Grayson Books, 2017). Poem reprinted by permission of Ellen Bass and the publisher. Introduction copyright @2020 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
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‘1917’ (Rated R)

World War I, otherwise known as the Great War, resulted in roughly 20 million deaths of military personnel and civilians. Then along came World War II as the deadliest war in human history.

Inspired by the experiences of his grandfather and others who served in World War I, director Sam Mendes brings his singular vision in “1917” to the story of two young British soldiers at the height of the war.

What is probably the most linear war film ever, “1917” tracks the dangerous journey of Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) across enemy territory to deliver a vital message to save the lives of 1,600 compatriots.

Unfolding over two days in April in northern France, Blake and Schofield are directed by General Erinmore (Colin Firth) to serve orders on Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), commander of the 2nd Battalion, to call off an attack on the Germans.

Failure to deliver the General’s orders is not an option for the two British soldiers, as there is no other method of communication to the front lines to warn fellow brothers-in-arms that they would be marching into a suicidal trap.

The added twist to the mission is that Blake’s older brother (Richard Madden) is a Lieutenant following Colonel Mackenzie, who is convinced that has the Germans on the run and can break through the Hindenburg Line and turn the tide of the war.

Schofield and Blake are so young, the latter even more baby-faced and not hardened to the harsh realities of violent conflict, that they seem hardly old enough even to shave and indulge in adult pursuits.

To get to the front lines of Mackenzie’s encampment, the two soldiers must run through trenches and across a no-man’s land of war-torn fields littered with the bodies of fallen soldiers and dead horses, all the while keeping their wits about them.

At least in contemporary times, films about the Second World War are more prevalent than those about the First, and “1917” aims to capture a slice of the often overlooked, if not forgotten, war that few would know was set off by a chain of events as the result of an assassination.

More than the dwelling on the landscape of brutality and destruction on the battlefield, Sam Mendes invests heavily in the saga of Blake and Schofield, infusing their perilous objective with a sense of urgency and relevance that is harrowing and haunting.

“1917” is an immersive experience, taking the viewer into a sensitive environment where you feel so connected to the two heroes that being emotionally invested in the outcome is unavoidable. In short, this tense film is brilliant.

A PREVIEW OF PBS PROGRAMS ON TV

Celebrating its 50th anniversary for public television broadcasting, PBS announced its high-profile programs at the winter television press tour, ranging from political figures to a musical legend and more.

The newest edition to American Experience’s award-winning series of presidential biographies, “George W. Bush” is a two-part look at his life and presidency.

Part one follows Bush’s unorthodox road to the White House, including his emergence as the victor of the most hotly contested election in the nation’s history and the shattering events that unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001.

The second part opens with the ensuing war in Iraq and continues through Bush’s second term, as the president confronts the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Interestingly, Great Performances present “Ann,” a portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. Written and performed by Holland Taylor, “Ann” is a filmed version of a one-woman stage play that allows the subject to shine with colorful one-liners.

Not mentioned during press interview sessions is the fact that Ann Richards, a liberal in a conservative state who served one term, was defeated for re-election by George W. Bush, who won two terms before moving up to the highest office in the land.

American Masters will present “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool,” a Grammy-nominated film that is the definitive account of the man behind the legend, made possible by full access to the Miles Davis Estate.

The film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews. Luminaries such as Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana and record producer Clive Davis weigh in on the musical visionary’s life and career.

A disturbing film with a limited theatrical release, “One Child Nation” will get well-deserved wider distribution on PBS to reveal the extreme population control measure that made it illegal for couples to have more than one child in totalitarian China.

“Expedition with Steve Backshall,” a new 10-episode series, seeks out incredible adventures with the titular explorer and naturalist who pursues inconceivable journeys by setting foot where no human has been before.

Backshall and his crew endure extreme physical challenges and encounters with extraordinary wildlife, including descending deep into the caves of the Maya underworld and kayaking the Himalayan whitewater.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Mendo-Lake Singers Chorus is inviting women who love to sing to attend a sing-along party and experience the fun of singing a cappella, four-part harmony.

The party will kick off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at their rehearsal space, 1125 Martin St., Lakeport. Refreshments to follow.

This is a free event.

Guests are encouraged to sing but are also welcome to just listen.

You do not need to be able to read music and the chorus can help you find a part that fits your voice range.

If you would like more information about the Mendo-Lake Singers, visit http://mendolakesingers.wixsite.com/mendolake or follow Mendo-Lake Singers Chorus on Facebook.
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‘DEPUTY’ ON FOX NETWORK

When it comes to creating crime dramas for television, the undisputed champion is now, and probably for the foreseeable future, Dick Wolf, who has made a cottage industry of the “Law & Order” franchise.

The opening blurb for every episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is the disclaimer: “The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.” Notwithstanding this claim, heinous crime true stories likely provide inspiration for any series.

The relevance of fiction applies heavily to the premise of the new FOX crime drama “Deputy” in that there is supposedly a 150-year-old arcane county charter provision for the succession of a duly elected Sheriff who dies during the term of his office.

Apparently harkening back to the Wild West days, the longest-serving member of the mounted posse gets elevated to the position of Sheriff until the next election. This is where cowboy hat and boots-wearing Sergeant Bill Hollister (Stephen Dorff) comes into the picture.

The opening sequence establishes Hollister as an old school maverick law enforcement officer in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who doesn’t mind kicking down doors in the pursuit of justice.

At a review panel, led by Undersheriff Jerry London (Mark Moses), the Sergeant is dressed down for being recalcitrant, insubordinate and having a disregard for the chain of command.

Winding up his defense, Hollister informs the panel that if the Sheriff “wants his star, he knows where to find me.” A short time later, after Hollister is involved in a deputy-involved shooting during a hot pursuit, high-ranking officials show up at the crime scene.

Hollister’s first instinct is that he’s somehow in trouble with the brass, only to find out the Sheriff died of a heart attack and now he has to be sworn in as the acting Sheriff due to the county charter.

Dumbfounded, Hollister can only say “you’ve got to be kidding me,” and Undersheriff London is quick to say “I wish we were.” By now, it’s obvious there’ll be tension between the new Sheriff and the suits on the tenth floor of the Hall of Justice.

Here’s the thing about fiction coming into play for “Deputy.” The arcane charter provision does not exist. Hate to break this news, but the county charter empowers the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy until an election can be held.

Does this imaginary foundation for the story matter at all for viewers? Not likely, but it would seem more believable for a rural area of just about any state in the Mountain Time Zone.

But here we are in modern day Los Angeles, and Sheriff Hollister is now in charge, even though he appears unwilling to conform to what’s expected of the leader of one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies.

To his surprise, Hollister has to accept the fact that he has a driver and personal bodyguard in the diminutive Deputy Brianna Bishop (Bex Taylor-Klaus) who will crimp his style as the lone cowboy accustomed to chasing bad guys in his Ford Bronco or on a horse.

Clashing with the Undersheriff comes with the job, but Hollister also has to contend with his trauma surgeon wife Dr. Paula Reyes (Yara Martinez), who deals with her husband often at the hospital, making him wait his turn to stitch up his latest wounds.

One of the few friends Hollister has in the department is Detective Cade Ward (Brian Van Holt), a Marine veteran with PTSD who grew up in a foster home, and now with his wife is looking to become a foster parent to children of a criminal he killed in the line of duty.

The first episode is titled “Graduation Day,” allowing Hollister to preside at the swearing-in ceremony of new recruits, one of whom is the son of his former partner who died on the job.

Notably, Hollister is the godfather of the new deputy, Joseph Harris (Shane Paul McGhie), and he’s soon confronted by the mother who pleads for the Sheriff to fire her son because she fears for his safety, thus setting up another storyline that plays out in unexpected ways.

Stating the obvious, the blunt-talking Hollister makes a point of saying he’s not a politician. But given his defiance of the establishment and ideas on policing, one has to wonder if he’ll eventually stand for election.

Interestingly, the first episode has Hollister diving into a contentious political agenda on a controversial issue that shows no sign of abating in the current climate.

Many viewers just want an hour’s worth of entertaining escapism and would probably agree with legendary producer Samuel Goldwyn who said, “Messages should be delivered by Western Union.”

“Deputy” intertwines the personal stories of key players along with plenty of action from a Sheriff unwilling to sit behind a desk.

The longevity of this series may rise or fall on how much to invest in Stephen Dorff’s maverick who admittedly cuts a charismatic figure with his irrepressible swagger.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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