A ROCK SCULPTURE I MADE WHILE VISITING YORK HARBOR IN MAINE
Rootdrinker Institute Presents
POETS THREE AT THE AEIRE
featuring Michael Czarnecki
Mark W.P.T. O'Brien
Marion Menna
July 13, 2009
7:30 pm 119 Dumbarton Dr. Delmar, N.Y.
three features authors will have their books for sale
free refreshments limited to 25 people total R.S.V.P. IMPORTANT!
e-mail reservation to acasline@aol.com
Michael Czarnecki
Mark W.P.T. O'Brien
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NORMANSKILL POETS ARE READING
AT PINE HOLLOW ARBOREUM
16 MAPLE AVENUE
SLINGERLANDS, NEW YORK
Friday August 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm
ARBORETUM TOUR at 6:00 pm
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In Celebration Of Will Christman
A poem from the local poet. June 1, 2009 we gathered at the Christman Preserve, read his poem, read our poems, walked the trails, listened to the stream, listened to the woods.
DREAMS OF AN OLD SPRING
I sit by the fire tonight with my dreams
While the roofs and fields and the far hills are bright
Under a moonlit snow.
I dream of long-ago winter when the snow melted
And the fountains were unsealed;
When the rigid arteries of the earth were softened
And ran with the rejuvenating fluid.
My dreams are of an unreturning spring
And a dark-eyed woman;
She, too, unreturning.
O to go back to the spring of life!
To see the Mayflowers and the bloodroot
starring the withered leaves in the old woods:
To hear the love drum of the grouse throbbing
like thunder in the wild valley;
To contemplate beauty and feel no sadness;
To think of love without regret.
--W.W. Christman
If I had all of Will Christman's poems, I would research his dreaming. For a hard working farmer, he sure spent alot of time drifting off. The woods and streamsides allowed a free exchange so his thinking was set free in sensation like his astral form left his body to bring him where he wished to be, up close and into communication with nature. He saw the patterns of energy in water, wind and vegetation He was aware of the lives of the small birds.Long ago decided to feed the birds from his barn sweepings full of seeds. In later years their winter feeding became part of his work.The birds sang for each other. How transforming where Will's dreams? Did he sprout feathers and fly?
ROOTDRINKER INSTITUTE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Rootdrinker Institute encourages artists, musicians, writers, and crafters to use local images, lore, and legends. Rootdrinker promotes rediscovery of the inspirations and creative visions of earlier artists and writers of each unique watershed. Rootdrinker advocates increased interest in nature, local history, and local traditions. Rootdrinker continues to publish small press books that reflect these purposes.
At the center of Rootdrinker Institute’s philosophy is the vision of people defining the territory they call their own in terms of their local watershed. This focus allows the natural rather than the political to inform their education. Such an orientation stimulates a sense of place, and the growth of a unique area cultural life. To promote this viewpoint, and to further its encouragement of the artistic community, Rootdrinker Institute sponsors publications, readings, concerts, conferences, seminars, and social gatherings.
On hiking trails, along streams, in libraries, through prose and poetry, the goal of preserving and improving the land and keeping alive the heritage of its people by joining with friends and neighbors is inherent to all of Rootdrinker Institute’s work
     
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DON'T MISS MY ACCIDENTAL BLOG
Pine Hollow Arboretum needed help setting up a blog. I had to set up my own to learn the system. The result, Rootdrinker
has a blog, plus this web site. Blog is suppose to be more conversational. I'll try out posts and if they are really good, I'll bring them over here for a longer life.
http://rootdrinker.blogspot.com/
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I looked up and saw
its form
through everything
-- it is sewn
in all parts, under
and over
-- Charles Olson
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The tranquility of marsh life is deceiving and, ultimately, no more permanent than violence. Here, as elsewhere, there is both a natural and a man-made framework of violation or dramatic change.
from A Rivertop Journal
-- Walt Franklin
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Clump looks over the valleys of streams
Clump with its pastures and herds:
Clump with its flowers and beechwood bowers
And the grave of John 0' Birds.
-- W.W. Christman
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local poets in your watershed were put there for higher purpose, there for you to rub against like riverstone in a stream, your unique stream.
disciple of the poet -- observer and observed, their flaws are your flaws, their peace is your peace, their poetry is your poetry
A rabbit habitates your watershed-- you might want a zebra, only to freeze in your colorful zebra skin when rabbit gives you a warmer coat
3/11/08
Elsmere, NY
Membership
Membership in Rootdrinker Institute is based on an annual (January to January) dues schedule of
$10-$24 — Regular
$25- $49 — Sustaining
$50-$99 — Patron
$100 and up — Benefactor
Checks should be made payable to Rootdrinker at Box 522, Delmar, N.Y. 12054
Correspondence should be addressed to:
Alan Casline,
Box 522
Delmar, N.Y.12054
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Your membership makes a commitment to the continuation of the work of the Institute and invites your involvement inall sponsored events.
Members receive copies of new publications at no cost.
RD Newsletter provides schedules and reports on events. Gives updates on new publications with more detailed information on authors. Publishes original works of poetry and prose by members. Reports on research efforts and has news of member’s activities. Publishes reviews of works by local authors and artists.
The Rootdrinker Archive contains local, out-of-print, limited edition, and small press publications. There are over three hundred items available for research use and for the individual interests of our members.
Space on Rootdrinker.com may be made available for member use.
Technical Assistance is available for bio-regional and watershed groups. Through a LOCAL POETS initiative the efforts of members and others from within the Normanskill watershed are encouraged. Those beginning small press publishing ventures may receive mini-grants from the Institute.
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from THE DOUBLE-HEADED SNAKE OF NEWBURY by John Greenleaf Whittier
Far away in twilight time
Of every people, in every clime,
Dragons ans griffins and monsters dire,
Born of water, and air, and fire,
Or nursed, like the Python, in the mud, And ooze of the old Deucalion flood,
Crawl and wriggle and foam with rage,
Through dark tradition and ballad age.
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