{"id":16031,"date":"2024-03-09T16:07:04","date_gmt":"2024-03-09T22:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/?p=16031"},"modified":"2024-03-20T11:32:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T16:32:39","slug":"the-circle-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/03\/09\/the-circle-game\/","title":{"rendered":"The Circle Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-765c4724 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61556140010887\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/boudin_mcneese\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 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C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>The Circle Game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Gerard Sarnat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">__________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I recall all my being as an isolated youngster,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">can\u2019t go outside cause of bad ragweed allergies,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">wrapped by Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives\u2019 mournful &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">sweet\u202f croons+twangy twinkly banjo tunes\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">stuck watching 10\u201d vinyl discs go round and round &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">78 times per minute while I tried to figure out what &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">this bearded sage on the album cover was up to in &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">rest of his existence I no doubt wouldn\u2019t experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A little bit older, I recall relishing Daddy horse&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">around with much gusto at Uncle Miltie Berle\u2019s&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">antics on our family\u2019s 1<sup>st<\/sup> TV which was high&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">maintenance since we had to adjust rabbit ears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Who does not recall longing for late Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">night\u2019s Lucky Lager Beer Dancetime countdown&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">of the week\u2019s top 45 singles, hiding transistor&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">radio under bed covers\u2014yippee, Duke of Earl\u2019s #1!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Recall Ivy Leaguer swinging around virginal&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">virtual fig leaf grokking Joni Mitchell\u2019s <em>Circle <\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Game <\/em>in the sack climbing intensest sex \u2018til 1969&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">when I met next half century\u2019s love of my life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">And now here slumps a mid-septuagenarian&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">on one backyard burl\u2019s 29 rings: after pulling&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Silicon Valley neighbor (and despite recent&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Techlash, Macintosh\u2019s Johnny Appleseed)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">designer Jony Ive\u2019s slickest iPhone from my back&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">pocket, iPhotos recall each of three kids planting&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">those tiny redwood seedlings\u2014giant sequoias&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">chopped down exactly to the day Mom passed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cAnd the seasons they go round and round&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">And the painted ponies go up and down&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">We&#8217;re captive on the carousel of time\u201d but&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">can\u2019t return to Big Rock Candy Mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>___________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Playlist song:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/playlist\/2DGL2kl6olesM3rnA0rZ6N?si=db16a2b031e44d4e&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=b8920d324dbf4a26\">Joni Mitchell, &#8220;The Circle Game&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">__________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Poet, aphorist or sometimes meanderist; <strong>Gerard Sarnat<\/strong> is widely published internationally in print and online. He has been nominated for the pending Science Fiction Poetry Association Dwarf Star Award, won San Francisco Poetry\u2019s Contest, the Poetry in the Arts First Place Award plus the Dorfman Prize; and has been nominated for handfuls of Pushcarts plus Best of the Net Awards. Gerry\u2019s publications include <em>2024 University of Idaho\/Confluence Lab, 2024 Laughing Ronin Press, Hong Kong Review, Tokyo Poetry Journal, Buddhist Poetry Review, Gargoyle, Main Street Rag, New Delta Review, San Diego Poetry Annual, Potomac Review, Hamilton-Stone Review, Northampton Review, New Haven Poetry Institute, Texas Review, Vonnegut Journal, Brooklyn Review, San Francisco Magazine, Monterey Poetry Review, The Los Angeles Review,<\/em> and<em> The New York Times;<\/em> as well as by Oberlin, Yale, NYU, Slippery Rock, Northwestern, Pomona, Brown\u2019s College as well as its Alpert Medical School, Colorado-Boulder, Harvard, Missouri Baptist, Stanford, Dartmouth, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Grinnell, North Dakota, Nebraska, McMaster, Maine, Universities of British Columbia and Toronto and Chicago and Virginia presses; <em>Awakenings Review, Arts &amp; Cultural Council of Bucks County Celebration, Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival Anthology, the erozine, Antithesis, Magma, Ginosko, Chiron Review, WORDPEACE, Midwest Zen, Cordite Poetry Review, Young Ravens, Fjords, Turtle Island, MIPOesias, Ocotillo Review, Gravity of the Thing, American Writers Review\/ San Fedele Press, San Francisco Creative Writing Institute, Israel Association of Writers in English, In Parentheses, Sacramento Review, Pocket Samovar, Black Sunflower, Free State, The Broken City, Sandy River Review, Three Rooms Press\/Maintenant, New World Writing, Songs of Eretz, New Verse News, The Font, BigCityLit, HitchLit Review, Lowestoft, Washington Square Review, The Deronda Review, Jewish Writing Project, Arkansas Review. <\/em>Gerry is a Harvard College and Medical School-trained physician who\u2019s built and staffed clinics for the disenfranchised as well as a Stanford professor and healthcare CEO. Currently he is devoting energy\/resources to deal with climate justice, and serves on Climate Action Now\u2019s board. Gerry\u2019s been married since 1969 with progeny consisting of four collections (<em>Homeless Chronicles: From Abraham To Burning Man, Disputes, 17s, Melting the Ice King<\/em>) plus three kids\/ six grandsons\u2014and is looking forward to potential future granddaughters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>__________<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1.jpg 438w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1-300x145.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"> \ud83e\udca0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/03\/09\/the-stars-they-shine-just-for-us\/\">Back<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/03\/09\/three-songs\/\">Next<\/a> \ud83e\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">To learn more about submitting your work to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/boudin-submissions\/\">Boudin<\/a><\/em> or applying to McNeese State University&#8217;s Creative Writing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/mfa-application-submissions\/\">MFA program<\/a>, please visit Submissions for details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Circle Game Gerard Sarnat __________ I recall all my being as an isolated youngster,&nbsp;&nbsp; can\u2019t go outside cause of bad ragweed allergies,&nbsp;&nbsp; wrapped by Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives\u2019 mournful &nbsp; sweet\u202f croons+twangy twinkly banjo tunes\u2014 stuck watching 10\u201d vinyl discs go round and round &nbsp; 78 times per minute while I tried to figure&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[199],"tags":[75,198,145],"class_list":["post-16031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-music-espressivo-24","tag-boudin","tag-music","tag-poetry-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16031"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16439,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16031\/revisions\/16439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}