Ventura Poetry Festival Has Rhyme and Reason : The event features eight days of poets presenting their works at a variety of venues in the city.

“Publishing a volume of verse is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo,” said writer Don Marquis. Nevertheless, dedicated verse-makers will gather at the second annual Ventura Poetry Festival to celebrate their art and perform for an appreciative and growing audience.

Jackson Wheeler and Phil Taggart are co-directors of the eight-day festival, which is made possible by a grant from the city of Ventura Cultural Affairs Office. It’s a rich menu. Start choosing.

* Saturday at 7:30 p.m., George Keenan, David Olivera and Jackson Wheeler at the City Bakery, 2358-C, E. Main St.

* Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Elnora McNaughton and Merlin Bridges at the Ventura Bookstore, 522 E. Main St.

* Monday at 8 p.m., Mary Scott and T.L. Cabrera in the Daily Grind, 607 E. Main St.

* Tuesday at 7 p.m., Ned Schill and Gauvin at Great Pacific Iron Works, 235 W. Santa Clara Ave.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m., Shelley Savren, Richard Newsham, A.A. Hedge-Coke and Ron Reichick at Franky’s Place, 456 E. Main St. Winners of the children’s poetry contests will be announced.

* June 8, at 8 p.m., Ray Clark Dixon and Robert Reinhart at Cafe Voltaire, 34 N. Palm St.

* June 10, at 7:30 p.m., the acclaimed Peter Levitt will read at The Performance Studio, 34 N. Palm St. Winners of the adult Ventura Poetry Contest will be named.

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An Open Poetry Reading hosted by the Friends of the Simi Valley Library is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the library at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Donation of a good used book for the library will be welcomed. Call 526-1735.

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We opened with a poet’s quote. Let’s close with another. “Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting”--from the preface to “Collected Works” by Robert Frost.