Most of us will never touch a Klansman’s robe, or want to touch one. Rachel Richardson, who lives in North Carolina, here touches one for us, so that none of us will ever have to.
Relic
The first time I touched it, cloth fell under my fingers, the frail white folds softened, demure. No burn,
no combustion at the touch of skin. It sat, silent, like any other contents of any other box: photographs of the dead, heirloom jewels.
Exposed to thin windowlight it is exactly as in movies: a long gown, and where a chest must have breathed, a red cross
crossed over. The crown, I know, waits underneath, the hood with eyes carefully stitched open, arch cap like a bishop’s, surging to its point.
American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2011 by Rachel Richardson from her most recent book of poems, Copperhead, Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2011. Poem reprinted by permission of Rachel Richardson and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2013 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is a likeable, relatable character, appearing more down-to-earth than his supreme being as the hammer-wielding Norse god would suggest to us mere mortals stranded on Planet Earth.
Inspired by Marvel Comics, “Thor: The Dark World” is the sequel to 2011’s “Thor” in which Hemsworth’s Thor, the Mighty Avenger, was somewhat arrogant and impulsive at first before gaining humility from time spent on Earth battling evil forces.
Unlike its titular character, “Thor: The Dark World” doesn’t seem very relatable, from the perspective of a superhero picture. At least for me, it has to do with a lack of true knowledge, and perhaps even interest, in Norse mythology.
Right from the start, there’s talk of the Nine Realms central to Norse cosmology and the fact that all realms will soon align offering the evil Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) an opportunity to annihilate all civilizations, whether human or alien.
Even the most casual observer is likely aware that Asgard is the home of the Norse gods, where Thor’s father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), sporting a nifty gold eye patch and carrying a royal scepter, rules with an iron hand.
Where it gets confusing is the talk of other realms like Vanaheim, Alfheim and Svartalfheim, the latter being the home of the Dark Elves which is under the ruthless thumb of the malevolent Malekith.
I know Anaheim as the home of Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth. One thing I could figure out was that any realm with a name ending in “heim” seemed to be far removed from the happy wonders of Walt Disney’s amusement park.
Even having the scorecard of the Nine Realms proved not so helpful to determine which one of the depressingly dark and gloomy places was the setting of a particularly violent skirmish.
However, it is not so difficult to appreciate the universal conflicts that have driven human drama since the beginning of time. One conflict, of course, is a son impatient to prove his worth to his father, explaining the tension between Thor and Odin.
The far more troubling tension is that of lethally resentful brother, in this case Loki (Tom Hiddleston) carrying a grudge against Thor, which was initiated as a polarizing relationship between siblings vying for the throne of Asgard.
Now there is pure hatred involved between the brothers, as Loki finds himself imprisoned, like Hannibal Lecter, behind an impenetrable acrylic plastic window in an all-white room that looks like the setting for a Vanity Fair photo shoot.
Meanwhile, setting up shop in London, the lovelorn Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), the astrophysicist who met Thor when he was exiled to Earth by his father in the first film, is pulled back into Thor’s world when Malekith causes some gooey substance to take control of her body.
In any case, this gives Thor the excuse to bring Jane to Asgard for her own protection and eventually reignites some of the old passion after Jane overcomes resentment for Thor disappearing for a few years as if he were a deadbeat father (which he’s not).
Also returning to earthbound duty are Kat Dennings’ quirky Darcy, Foster’s intern who now has her own intern, and Stellan Skarsgard’s Dr. Erik Selvig, who sits around in his underwear because his mind was previously possessed by Loki. Now he’s trying to figure out where he left his pants.
At this point in the story, I am trying to determine how many Dark Elves does it take to pilot the massive spacecraft that looks oddly shaped like a floating corkscrew or a jellyfish when the cloaking device is not turned on.
Malekith, King of the Dark Elves, is a nasty villain but his character is one-dimensional. Sure, he looks threatening but evidence of his motivations to commit horrific acts upon his foes is entirely missing.
The most convincing confrontations are between Loki and Thor, but even that is somewhat limited, given that the brothers so infrequently share the screen, until Thor decides to risk using Loki’s help when their mutual demise appears so imminent.
The scenery in London is visually interesting, even though Malekith’s invasion of the city results in the type of CGI-generated destruction that has become so commonplace in alien invasion movies.
Dressed in a flowing red cape, the long-haired Chris Hemsworth’s Thor cuts a dashing figure as a Norse god, demonstrating an engaging charisma befitting his status as an attractive superhero.
“Thor: The Dark World” delivers the swaggering explosive exploits that its audience wants. It’s the kind of action adventure from the Marvel Comics universe that may be formulaic but advances the franchise along a pleasurable path for its loyal fan base.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, still a Lake County favorite even well after his 200th birthday, will be back again on Sunday, Nov. 24, with the Lake County Symphony’s “Mozart Masterpieces” concert.
To open the program, music director and conductor John Parkinson has selected one of the famed composer’s best-known and best-loved pieces, the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola featuring the solo talents of Holly Fagan on violin and Sienna S’Zell on viola.
The piece is a meld of symphony and concerto, which Mozart was experimenting with, and is generally considered to be one of his most successful compositions in this genre, with the techniques he perfected often copied by others.
S’Zell started her music career in third grade, and has since graduated, along with a B.A. and Master’s work, to play with orchestras and chamber groups all over the United States.
She is well-known in the north counties for her work as a teacher in both public and private schools, most recently at the Ukiah School of Music.
She also is an experienced bluegrass music fiddler. On the Sinfonia Concertante she will play the viola with violinist Holly McElroy Fagan, a graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Fagan has been an orchestra member in St. Louis, Detroit, Kansas City and Palo Alto and also has taught music for some 36 years. Both featured soloists are current members of the Lake County Symphony.
The second selection on the program will be Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D and will feature quick-change artist Sienna S’Zell again, only this time shifting from viola to violin.
The concerto was written in 1775 and its structure in D gives a special brilliance to the music. It is also presented in three movements.
Following intermission the orchestra will play one of Mozart’s most beloved symphonies, the ever-popular G Minor Symphony No. 40.
The Lake County Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Susan Condit, continues the Mozart theme with the composer’s Menuetto and Trio from his Symphony No. 35 – the well-known “Haffner” – and also “Amadeus” the music from the movie of the same name which was derived from Mozart’s Symphony No. 25.
The 11 a.m. open rehearsal concert costs $5 for adults and is free to those 18 and under.
The main concert takes place at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport beginning at 3 p.m. with general admission tickets at $25 and premium reserved seating at $30.
Symphony association members (formerly Clearlake Performing Arts – CLPA) are granted $5 discounts. Some season-ticket seats are also still available.
Tickets may be obtained on line at www.soperreesetheatre.com or by phone at 707-263-0577. They may also be bought at the Travel Center in Lakeport’s Shoreline Shopping Center, or at the theater box office on Fridays between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a book signing with local author Bert Atwood, combined with a Wine Studio club member appreciation party, on Saturday, Nov. 16.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the studio, 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.
The book, “My Father Was A Crop Duster,” is about determination, courage, leadership, vision, luck, foolishness, foolhardiness and tragedy.
This is Bud and Leila Atwood's story – and it is the story of their many associates – who with incredible amounts of hard work, and sometimes with incredible tragedy, built a crop dusting empire in California's fertile Salinas, San Joaquin and Santa Maria valleys.
As the sole surviving child of Bud and Leila Atwood, Bert Atwood was privy to more of the inner workings and incidents regarding their lives and the story of Atwood Crop Dusters than any other person now living.
Atwood will be at the studio to greet visitors and to sign sold copies of his book.
Offered at a special holiday price of $25 each, the regular price of the book is $39.95.
Wine tasting will feature various Lake County varietals and special sales on Lavender Blue wines and Lavender Blue Farm products with discounts ranging from 10 to 40 percent off. Refreshments will be served.
Artwork on display for the month of November is by photographer, Casey Carney.
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County.
Artist’s shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is hosting “Open Mic Lucerne” on Saturday, Nov. 16.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
This event is held every third Saturday of the month.
Bands are already signing up for November. Last month was a full venue so sign up early. Performers are on stage prior, after and with the house band FOGG featuring classic and heavy metal rock and roll.
More sign-ups can be on site at 5 p.m. Saturday night or you can call 707-245-4612 or 707-274-8779.
Abundant talent in Lake County is obvious with exciting performances. This is a great venue to show off your talent. Music, comedy, mime, any other activity that is family-oriented will be appreciated.
Come be an audience member and join the fun. Room is available for dancing and relaxing. Last month the performances were great. There is no charge for attendance.
For those wishing to have dinner, an inexpensive meal is available with cost according to age. This is a child friendly event so bring the family.
All proceeds from the meal benefit the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, a nonprofit that serves the senior populations on the Northshore with lunches on site and Meals on Wheels.
For more information call Lucerne Alpine Senior Center at 707-274-8779.
Here’s a lovely poem about snow falling on San Antonio by Mo H. Saidi, an obstetrician and writer who, in addition to his medical training, has a master’s degree in English and literature from Harvard.
The Night of the Snowfall
Snow falls gently in the Hill Country covering the meadows and the valleys. The sluggish streaks of smoke climb quietly from the roofs but fail to reach the lazy clouds.
On Alamo Plaza in the heart of the night and under the flood of lights, the flakes float like frozen moths and glow like fireflies. They drop on the blades of dormant grass.
They alight on the cobblestones and live awhile in silence, they dissolve before dawn. The wet limestone walls of the mission glow proudly after the night of snowfall.
American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2010 by Mo H. Saidi from his most recent book of poems, The Color of Faith, Pecan Grove Press, 2010. Poem reprinted by permission of Mo H. Saidi and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2013 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
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