What I Want from You by Linda Zeiser; Trena Machado

What I Want from You

Voices of East Bay Lesbian Poets

Linda Zeiser; Trena Machado

Poetry in Spite of Itself A Column by Marvin R. Heimstra Hot-Line to Heart! I wanted to celebrate those rare lines of poetry that blow the lucky reader s heart to a sidewalk café on top of Mt. Parnassus. Where would I find such literary dynamite? Was I a dreamer? My search was less than successful until I opened the radiant 2006 anthology What I Want From You: Voices of East Bay Lesbian Poets, skillfully edited by Linda Zeiser and Trena Machado for Raw Art Press. Every poem cradles lines that struck my heart and shot me to the summit for a latte. Machado s Publisher s Note explains: What is wanted? The what is the doorway between the poet and the reader. These poems establish that connection at the level of desire, the heart, of struggle…at the level of living. Lee E. Arellano s Brown Angel is her muse, moving across the dance floor of her heart and her entire life. The poem begins: Brown angel, you are dancing corridas, baile folklorico, And cha cha cha all over the dance piso of my Corazon. How can someone love anyone so much for so long? From Start to finish the poem fills the reader s heart with the joy and love found in a dazzling relationship. A difficult life journey nurtures a poet s power of expression. Annette M. Berkobien (who died at age 33 in March, 2006) leaves us this poignant and powerful affirmation in I, Annette, Kiss FEAR, which begins: Within this moment this second this slither of time I KISS FEAR with complete passionEach poet in this collection is presented with a succinct and finely crafted biography that speaks to the poems included. Tesa Rigel, who has made a triumph out of a life grounded on child abuse and violence, speaks directly from her heart to the reader s heart. The poem has anyone seen my childhood? becomes an indelible request: It was taken from me a long time ago I am an adult now But I would still like it back Dearest to the heart is the beloved; this intrepid anthology is jammed with poems that generously share the spectrum of romantic love with the reader. Beatrice Ilana Lieberman s contribution is a sublime untitled poem that begins: why does your hand reach deep into darkness and thoughts of you as a wild bird flutter inside the cage of my bone RedHorse Woman s after you sit is as magnificent as it is understated: a tangible and elusive joy of love. The reader is thrust into a scene: moments after goodbye i return almost invisibly the back of your chair smells like grass your seat stays warm a picnic blanket in June My favorite poem in What I Want from You is Patricia Edith s While I Watch Her Marry Him which turns loss into resplendent beauty. It would win all the Grammies as a country-western song and break all records for beer sales. The poet whips despair, humor, sensual arousal, and the cosmos into one hot five-stanza poem For her I wear green velvet sliding like a tongue against my skin hanging sad as moss but unlike moss it will only last for this one evening while I watch her marry him. Among countless delights, this anthology contains not one but two poems about the writer and that writer s love: another writer. Donna M. Lane proclaims with the title I Want My Hand In This Poem the intensity of involvement the poet must undertake. Here s an excerpt from the middle section of this long poem: …I want to create new continents and make ignorance go to sleep I want my orgasms in this poem and every beautiful person I have ever seen walking by I want to hold your attention until it becomes my concentrated sweat my real blood…. –Bay Area Poets Seasonal Review

What I Want From You straightforwardly establishes an instant connection of attention and questioning. What is wanted? The what is the doorway between the poet and the reader. These poems establish that connection at the level of desire, the heart, of struggle…at the level of living. I felt enlivened by the voices of these women living within their own identity, without qualifications or comparisons to external criteria. To live one s own life from the center of oneself is the heart of liberation no matter that liberation is a constant struggle from moment to moment. For me, having the privilege to work with these poets was to experience each poet s light burning and to know it was not reflected light. I am heartened to know I am surrounded by such a vibrant community of free-spirited, strong women ready to follow their own internal spirits we are, as in Judy Grahn s powerful poem, She Who continues. –What I Want From You

Product Description

This anthology brings together a sampling of the vibrant East Bay poet s community. From the first published to the well published, forty-two poets write on love, relationships, death, marriage, monogamy, surviving cancer, politics, coming out, crip loving, mothers, and yes, even prayers and meditations to the ancestors, the dark goddess, superwoman, witches, childhood, and to writing itself.

Contributing Poets –

Judy Grahn, Elana Dykewomon, antyne, Lea E. Arellano, Caren Armstrong, Gwen Avery, Aisha Ayers, Dominika Bednarska, Annette M. Berkobien, Beth Bourland, Cassandra Bramucci, Robyn Brooks, Giovanna Capone, MK Chavez, Dajenya, Patricia Edith, Beth Elliott, Izabela Filipiak, Judy Freespirit, Nicole Griffin, Christina Hutchins, Susan Jones, Donna M. Lane, Harriet Leider, Beatrice Ilana Lieberman, Laura Loomis, Jeanne Lupton, Christie McCarthy, Janell Moon, Patty Overland, Diana Quartermaine, Judith Rechter, RedHorse Womon, Tesa Rigel, Jean Sirius, Jan Steckel, Janette Wolf, Jessy Wolf, Karen X, Kris Yates, Linda Zeiser

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