(This poem is dedicated to Johanna Ely, Benicia’s sixth poet laureate who completed her term at the end of June.) How very much we’ve been enriched, Through you as poet laureate, this past two years. So like the hummingbird to which you are drawn, A mirror image in so many ways. Drawing forth sustenance as […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Why Every Night I Keep a Lamp Lit”
In my house I keep a glass lamp by the front door. It is in the shape of a tulip, and inside it, a light bulb flickers in the shape of a tear. I keep it lit all night long— a small comfort for those who are lost, for ghosts who believe they have been […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Build a Library”
Build a library where 7,000 books become 100,000, where children with Teddy bears listen to stories until they fall asleep, and teens study late into the evening, cell phones left on vibrate— where neighbors meet to hear a famous author speak, or a musician play guitar. Build a library where literacy is a free gift, […]
Benicia Library celebrates silver anniversary in current building
(This post has been updated.) Today marks 25 years since the Benicia Public Library opened its doors to its state-of-the-art new building to the public. The facility got a head start on the festivities Saturday with a birthday celebration featuring cake, history and speeches by local dignitaries as well as those who helped make […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “A Pair of Haiku”
Haiku for Carolyn Under the white plum— a snowstorm of memories covers two old friends Old Woman Haiku By the open door an old woman undresses— the moon her voyeur
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Listen Up!”
A poem is not a painting, so don’t just look at it. Don’t keep it silent. It is a song of celebration to sing to hum to chant to a god with an attentive ear. Croon it to the marsh grasses who sway to its rhythm. Shout it out to the early morning crow who […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “Spring Evening”
A sigh of remembrance as I drive home. The fields on this side of the freeway still flower green, as the moon, almost full, rises over dusky cows dotting a hillside. Clusters of oak trees darken to a deeper hue, long, thin clouds drift across a grey sky— a last gasp of brilliant pink fades […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “I am Tired of Waking Up to the Faces of Dead Children”
I am tired of waking up to the faces of dead children who smile at me from the T.V. or computer screen. I want to tell them they are not dead. I want to reach down into the earth into the ashes and resurrect them— pull them up by their bones and hug them to […]
3 poets laureate to celebrate 6 female poets in free library event
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Benicia-Vallejo branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will bring together three area poets laureate for “Voices of Change: American Women Poets Who Have Made a Difference.” The evening will feature Johanna Ely, Benicia’s poet laureate; Diana Lang, Vallejo’s poet laureate; and Genea Brice, Lang’s predecessor […]
Poetry Corner: Johanna Ely “What the Rain Has”
This rain has a silver tongue to taste the sweet silence of morning. It has lungs to breathe in the dawn’s goodbye— a last glance looking back over a shoulder of dark clouds. It has lips to mouth all the unspoken words caught in a dream. Listen! Rata-tat-tat— hard drops on skylight glass. This rain […]