Ezra Pound commanded America's poets to "Make it new."

And here's a good example. Has there ever been another poem written, and written beautifully, about children playing among laundry drying on a line?

Thomas Reiter, who lives in New Jersey, is a poet whose work I've followed for many years. His most recent book is “Catchment.” This poem appeared in the Tampa Review.

Pinned in Place

A bed sheet hung out to dry
became a screen for shadow animals.
But of all laundry days in the neighborhood
the windy ones were best,
the clothespins like little men riding
lines that tried to buck them off.
One at a time we ran down the aisles
between snapping sheets
that wanted to put us in our place.
Timing them, you faked and cut
like famous halfbacks. But if a sheet
tagged you it put you down, pinned
by the whiteness floating
against a sky washed by the bluing
our mothers added to the wash water.
Could anyone make it through those days
untouched? You waited for
your chance, then jumped up and finished
the course, rising if you fell again.
Later, let the sky darken suddenly
and we'd be sent out to empty the lines.
All up and down the block, kids
running with bed sheets in their arms,
running like firemen rescuing children.
All night those sheets lay draped
over furniture, as though we were leaving
and would not return for a long time.


American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2018 by Thomas Reiter, "Pinned in Place," from Tampa Review, (No. 55/56, 2018). Poem reprinted by permission of Thomas Reiter and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2019 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.

SHAZAM (Rated PG-13)

The question that some people may be asking is what does a 14-year-old kid do when he comes into possession of superpowers that could be used for the public good in amateur crime-fighting?

Does he become Batman without a really cool costume? That’s the awkward thing in “Shazam!” when the streetwise young Billy Batson (Asher Angel) utters the magic word and ends up wearing a cape and an outfit of red spandex with a bright yellow lightning bolt on the chest.

But first, how did a foster child looking for the mother that abandoned him years ago and evading the Philadelphia police for pulling pranks come to be an unlikely hero?

Placed in yet another foster home with a caring, loving yet oddball family, Billy’s roommate is the nerdy, sarcastic Freddy (Jack Dylan Glazer), a collector of superhero mementos, who gets bullied at school.

Escaping from bullies that hassled Freddy, Billy rides on a subway that transports him to another realm called the Rock of Eternity where the aging Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) has to find someone pure of heart to take on the mantle of his superpowers.

Aside from Billy’s origin story at the film’s start, we also learn more about another young kid going back to 1974 who was verbally abused by his uncaring father and grew up to have serious daddy issues.

That kid became Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), a disturbed adult miffed that the Wizard did not choose him to take the powers conferred to Billy aka Shazam. For spite, Sivana decides to release the Seven Deadly Sins on the world.

It will be up to Billy as his alter ego Shazam (Zachary Levi) to do battle with Sivana. First, however, Billy has to adapt to his new-found identity not to mention the discomfort of being an adolescent in an adult’s body.

To his credit and with plenty of good humor, Zachary Levi has to carry off the giddy immaturity of a 14-year-old who delights in making YouTube videos of his exploits to become a media sensation.

Shazam gets a kick out of using the lightning in his fingers to pop soda cans out of a vending machine and randomly charging the cell phones of passersby, or showing up at school to give Freddy some street cred for hanging with a superhero.

Before getting down to the serious business of protecting his community, Shazam messes around with his powers as you might expect from a kid not even close enough in age to buy beer unless he’s wearing his spandex costume.

Not only filled with humor, “Shazam” also has plenty of heart as Billy finds comfort and love in his new extended family that he wants to protect from the evil unleashed by Sivana.

Of course, being in an action film, Shazam is relentlessly stalked by the vengeful Sivana, until the climactic showdown at a Christmas carnival has them fighting an epic battle on the ground and in the skies above Philadelphia.

Lighthearted fun with plenty of good wit, “Shazam!” is a family-friendly fantasy film with ample charm, good action scenes and a positive message about family values. All is well in this DC Universe.



‘ABBY’S’ ON NBC NETWORK

Does a sitcom about a neighborhood bar with regular customers that are apparently unemployed or have no other place to go sound recognizable? “Abby’s” has an air of familiarity that is unmistakable.

During the winter press tour, executive producer Michael Schur said that his team was “acutely aware of the fact that no matter what we did, the show would be compared to ‘Cheers’.” That’s not a bad thing for a series seeking out feel-good camaraderie for its barflies.

The twist for “Abby’s” is that former Marine veteran Abby (Natalie Morales) is operating an unlicensed backyard watering hole at a house she is renting from a lady who has just passed away.

The denizens of her neighborhood sanctuary selling beer and spirits at affordable rates are a motley crew that includes Beth (Jessica Chaffin), a mother escaping from her unruly kids, and James (Leonard Ouzts), the putative bouncer disinclined to any physical activity.

Bar stool regular Fred (Neil Flynn) proudly announces that he hasn’t missed one day at the bar in three years, which prompts Abby to proclaim that he’s the “Cal Ripken of low-grade alcoholism.”

The neighborhood fun almost comes to a screeching halt when straight-laced Bill (Nelson Franklin), a nerdy engineer attuned to legalities, arrives to notify Abby that he inherited the house from his deceased aunt.

Stating the obvious, Bill is shocked that an unpermitted commercial enterprise is operating out of the backyard without any insurance or other safeguards. Bill didn’t even mention the likely zoning violation.

“Abby’s” is rife with standard sitcom humor that often seems predictable but still elicits plenty of chuckles. The cast is delightfully likeable and the interaction of the goofball characters may well merit watching a few episodes to see if the series hits the right groove.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1958 comedy, “Auntie Mame,” starring Rosalind Russell, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, April 23, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Entry to the film is by donation.

In this hilarious comedy Rosalind Russell recreates her standout stage role as the flamboyant, devil-may-care diva who strives to release her young nephew from the stuffy confines of an aristocratic upbringing. Campy, colorful, fabulously funny and nominated for six Oscars.

The movie is sponsored by Kathy Jansen. Not rated. Run time is 2 hours and 23 minutes.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – This Sunday, April 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center, Restore project participants will be working on “Vertical Pathways,” a collaborative art piece for Rabbit Hill.

Led by sculptor Emily Sheibal, the class involves woodworking and additive sculpting in concrete.

Adults of all ages and children age 11 up are encouraged to join in this unique opportunity to collaboratively create and engage with the natural environment.

It is not necessary to attend every session or have previous art making experience. The cost is $5 per session. Sign up at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.

“Vertical Pathways has been an amazing opportunity for an amateur artist like me to work alongside and learn from professional artists,” said Restore participant Jakki Macfadyen. “Working on this project has helped me to find my own voice while working alongside others, towards the goal of restoring Rabbit Hill, a community treasure.”

“I have been able to return to my creative artistic self through this project,” said Mary Daly. “The instructors and other participants have been really supportive!”

Vertical Pathways is comprised of "totem pole" like sculptures. Participants are invited to select a fallen tree to carve and add form and shape to.

The “poles” will be installed in an undulating serpentine fashion to create a rhythmic visual pathway on the hillside.

The “pathway” will provide a sense of protection and visual contrast and harmony, while honoring remaining trees and offering additional habitat for birds and pollinators.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org/restore to learn more about the project and see the kind of sculptural works we have been inspired by.

The MAC is working with the Lake County Land Trust to help revitalize public interest and appreciation of Rabbit Hill with this new art trail.

The collaborative vision for the piece was inspired by both the totem like quality of remaining burned trees on the hillside and by stories told about the flutes that the former Rabbit Hill owners, “Huck” and “Skee” Hamann taught neighborhood children to make and play.
Community members interested in joining the project by helping with landscaping or installation can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call MAC at 707-809-8118.

Restore classes in sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, or creative writing will be offered most weekends through May 2019 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Upcoming classes include writers’ workshop with Clive Matson on April 21, another Vertical Pathways session on April 28 and a printmaking class in early May. For more information and additional scheduling visit www.middletownartcenter.org/restore.

The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from the Lake County Land Trust and other local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s work in communities and schools throughout California. Learn more about the Lake County Land Trust at www.lakecountylandtrust.org.

Be a part of the growing arts and cultural scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in Restore classes, or by attending one of the many events or classes at MAC.

The MAC Gallery currently features “Living Color” a vibrant exhibit open to the public Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or “Like” Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up-to-date.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The next performance in the monthly Coffee House Concert Series will feature a Bay Area folk star with a unique and exciting style of singing and playing.

Elaine Ryan will perform on Saturday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at the Fore Family Winery tasting room in downtown Kelseyville.

Ryan, who is referred to as a “nomadic troubadour,” has played in many locales, including Vancouver, Montreal, Maui and San Francisco.

She has won several awards for her original music. In addition to her own music, Ryan performs cover songs from musicians such as Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Adele and others.

Also performing will be Lake County's favorite troubadour, Jim Williams, and his partner, Mississippi Stephen Holland.

Admission is $15. Wine and refreshments will be available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.uuclc.org, at Watershed Books in Lakeport, at the Fore Family Tasting Room and at the door if not sold out.

Seating is limited and guests are advised to buy tickets in advance and arrive early.

The concert is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County.

For more information, call 707-812-2788.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Davis, Fairfield, Yuba City) is inviting local high school students to participate in his annual Congressional High School Art Competition.

Every participant will have their work honored at a ceremony in Davis on May 7, and the winning pieces will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year.

The winning artists can also attend a ceremony recognizing their work in Washington, DC.

“I’m excited to host this wonderful event again in our district. The quality of the submissions we receive never ceases to amaze me. I’m always incredibly proud of the amazing talent that high school students throughout my district put on display,” Garamendi said.

Students have until April 26 at 5 p.m. PDT to submit their artwork.

The guidelines and submission process can be viewed at https://garamendi.house.gov/services/art-competition.