Posts by Arts and Culture El Dorado
a fine dust, by Sue McMahon
fine dust no pine needles no dead leaves or any crunchy duff that should lay on the forest floor is left nowhere for birds to peck at insects crawling inside the normal layer of nature’s fluff only fine dust of the smallest particles the kind you inhale unexpectedly and makes you choke now the birds…
Read Moredisconnection, by Sue McMahon
disconnection the fire engulfed the forest as mandala’s arms tried to hold it back yet the circle was broken and no continuance of life could live here now though her arms were stretched wide open the flames she could not catch, while colorful fire whirlies escaped and exploded, deep in the forest the animals ran…
Read MoreThe Wind, The Water, The Flame, by Joanne Blossom
The Wind, The Water, The Flame When they questioned their supreme deities, The builders, lawmakers, valiant fighters Did not believe them. They ignored them, would not believe, even laughed At the answers. Others protested, You can’t hunt here, said the rancher to the wolves. You can’t eat here, complained the farmer to the crow.…
Read MoreRed Dirt Road, by Carolyn S. Dyle
Red Dirt Road Burned out tar paper shacks along a red dirt road Façade blackened with soot and ash, Hopelessness glaring from empty windows, In an open door a black-haired waif, In the darkness a hungry eyed toddler stands, Red dirt clinging to face, feet and hands, Who will hold you, little one. Who will…
Read MoreCaldor Firestorm, by Carolyn S. Dyle
Caldor Firestorm A night of fire and fury Our hearts trembled Our minds seized by shock A firestorm raging upon us Flames devouring every living thing Above and beneath the earth Relentless and unmerciful Firey embers raining from the sky We flee with terror in our hearts The firestorm charges eastward Leaving ash heaps of…
Read MorePassing Through the Flames, by Anton Nemeth
Passing Through the Flames I sit here on my aging aching butt Among a lot of burnt up branches put Here to show what the flames of fire can do To them and the layers of silent soil Beneath the coat of fallen drying leaves And needles that the trees rain upon them Where…
Read MoreHellish Reverie, by Garrett Ramos
Hellish Reverie What conscience swears Is fire’s kiss is not so charming To rouse a sleeping sylvan beauty. But scruples do not falsify my eye, Which looks on hot unheavenly aurora roaring As though This thing that smears an ashen maquillage Would beautify. Garrett Ramos Salvagers, Lovers Leap, 2023, giclée print, Still from digital…
Read MoreDetails + Materials: Works by Claudine Granthem
Details + Materials: Works by Claudine Granthem honored the work of long-time El Dorado County resident Claudine Granthem. With a strong oeuvre that consists of painting, wood and metal sculpture, and drawings, Granthem’s work is at once architectural and deeply human. Her use of materials is lavish in its embrace; she doesn’t attempt to transform or…
Read MoreSwitchboard Connections: FIRELAND
Switchboard Connections – FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition During the runtime of FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition El Dorado County Poet Laureate 2021-2023, Lara Gularte, led a poetry writing workshop in ekphrasis in the Switchboard Gallery. Surrounded by the artwork from FIRE/LAND: The Exhibition poets crafted poems inspired by what was in the gallery. Lara then facilitated a reading…
Read MoreANTEPASSADOS, By Lara Gularte
ANTEPASSADOS 1 A blackbird passes above where the world moves over the horizon, to the upper air, thinness beyond breath, shifting bodies, many voices. 2 Years of lift and scrape, slip and crack, the Siskiyou mountains. My gold hunter ancestors, their prints on yellow ore, memory of gold nuggets. 3 With beating wings, they slip…
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