The poet is so happy to find herself once again in the lovely state of California, lifelong her favorite location in our Union.

*****

Recorded Reading (1:51): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bwcq8kxik5f96a4wvbxh1/Humboldt-Hoppin.mp3?rlkey=eienbuldwphv5xmekwhjcnaz4&dl=0

*****

Humboldt Hoppin’

It’s Friday night, I hope you have
Remembered to remark it
And on your social calendar
Diligently mark it
‘Cause you’re in Humboldt County
And there’s a Farmers’ Market

Organic are the vegetables
Organic is the fruit
These people ’bout the planet
And their buyers give a hoot
And you get lovely sunny smiles
With what you buy, to boot

Hand made are the glass, ceramic
Inner and the outer wear
Objects unique beauty of
May be discovered there
It’s like a modern version
Of a medieval faire!

Then once you’ve eaten and you’ve drunk
As much as you can hold
And marveled at the hand created
Wonders on display untold
You’ll stroll among the people
Watching all the fun unfold

When from some place just down the block
Very near around
You hear a truly groovy beat
Say, “Honey — what’s that sound?”
And stumble on musicians
Takin’ it down to the ground

You forget, from walking,
That your side has got a stitch
Because up through the ground
Into your feet there’s come an itch
And without your instructions
Your hips now start to twitch

You cannot help but get a happy
Smile upon your face
When you see the people dancing
In this friendly place
Sharing all together
A state of rhythmic grace

Nobody, for these moments,
Thinks of problems, hurts or harms
A general sweet amnesty
The population warms —
I watch the mothers dancing
With their babies in their arms

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S, or choose to send a personal check to the poet’s ABLE account. It takes about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

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