tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38618084413456697572024-03-13T23:49:55.787-07:00The song is... Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.comBlogger423125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-27455779974061465802023-12-06T18:22:00.000-08:002023-12-28T21:07:25.866-08:00Pictures from an Alternative 1990s<p> The pictures below were done with Leonardo.AI. I just typed in the prompt, and this is what I got.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtNV_S819NLN-lCc6Ogp-_XiWrJ0SINotNHIzp2cIdt2mJf0mxQm6kTgazRTA0bxNTAlOd1ghDFiWXJsW4cip7PsQ8YOigK-J99Y-CNJ-aPXUPFkT1MIwwQYsZ0BfSHPXi08E7UlaYgMJL9kiQby4easniwfhmjFLIpW153RlaP6KmtaR92rPnrWVNvs/s1344/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_john_lennon_at_the_apollo_theater_1991_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1344" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtNV_S819NLN-lCc6Ogp-_XiWrJ0SINotNHIzp2cIdt2mJf0mxQm6kTgazRTA0bxNTAlOd1ghDFiWXJsW4cip7PsQ8YOigK-J99Y-CNJ-aPXUPFkT1MIwwQYsZ0BfSHPXi08E7UlaYgMJL9kiQby4easniwfhmjFLIpW153RlaP6KmtaR92rPnrWVNvs/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_john_lennon_at_the_apollo_theater_1991_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In this picture he looks more fiftyish. If I knew how, I would put some gray into his hair. Even my father had gray hairs when he was in his fifties. Considering when and if Lennon quit smoking, I wonder what his voice would have sounded like had he made it to fiftysomething. I suspect that he wouldn't have been able to hit the high notes, even the ones he could hit at 40.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kgvmk7uPG5dNHQYB1Jyb1fJZwYBkIPSN72E15ODRS0bX3dNCZxQ3rpLgSKvVRV0wECVUph0ExGYe0-tQ2_L7BqntG-E3uk-2ThVwflSrI9SqpRaUo7nFOXPl5ORGO6-pjwvB0GU-XAKU8VhmjgdWymWZv1WOYYGgJZwBg7mSuJAoxTiP1758aCiBigY/s1840/1990s%20Lennon%20at%20the%20Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1840" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kgvmk7uPG5dNHQYB1Jyb1fJZwYBkIPSN72E15ODRS0bX3dNCZxQ3rpLgSKvVRV0wECVUph0ExGYe0-tQ2_L7BqntG-E3uk-2ThVwflSrI9SqpRaUo7nFOXPl5ORGO6-pjwvB0GU-XAKU8VhmjgdWymWZv1WOYYGgJZwBg7mSuJAoxTiP1758aCiBigY/s320/1990s%20Lennon%20at%20the%20Apollo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I want to include a few more alt-1990s figures here. First we have Madonna with her good friend Len Bias who plays for the Knicks. (In this timeline, Red Auerbach left the Celtics for the Knicks.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxS1l5BxE1ujotbe5V7Yd6XMrHbaRyOsXkcPnQAFnxgI_AefmiykHs3gzb1rKthGb2wZ5GfA_iUmDP30SMYulb1YGbadpNuGARx1LynKxkDVf2uAbPm9oKyVeNAZwRDngoneNDiwbXUyarvCWVNrxlxhO8tmj1TXgABHYsrNCjlHZNjXUhySExb4dLQw/s1344/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_1990s_madonna_with_len_bias_in_front_of_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1344" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxS1l5BxE1ujotbe5V7Yd6XMrHbaRyOsXkcPnQAFnxgI_AefmiykHs3gzb1rKthGb2wZ5GfA_iUmDP30SMYulb1YGbadpNuGARx1LynKxkDVf2uAbPm9oKyVeNAZwRDngoneNDiwbXUyarvCWVNrxlxhO8tmj1TXgABHYsrNCjlHZNjXUhySExb4dLQw/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_1990s_madonna_with_len_bias_in_front_of_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here Larry Bird signs his final contract with the Indiana Pacers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjDwb5xPrwCf54_nHsssvQqjJP0cwbiU_Pf3h0v-YcxHc6GeAWVzIs8gn4XGwiUpuf5AvXTFKWN3x7OK2Il5jvvcRo63_Vv9rz1F0-oawXBpm9h08_nKSLYpuCdowsgsgN24hTbeLs7MrP_CIwMAubyZtS85U4L5q_AhbO1q1qVtgtdhrE75AmHmiIx4/s1344/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_young_larry_bird_signs_with_the_pacers_0%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1344" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjDwb5xPrwCf54_nHsssvQqjJP0cwbiU_Pf3h0v-YcxHc6GeAWVzIs8gn4XGwiUpuf5AvXTFKWN3x7OK2Il5jvvcRo63_Vv9rz1F0-oawXBpm9h08_nKSLYpuCdowsgsgN24hTbeLs7MrP_CIwMAubyZtS85U4L5q_AhbO1q1qVtgtdhrE75AmHmiIx4/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_young_larry_bird_signs_with_the_pacers_0%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Here we see Fr. Jim McGuinn of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrQFhhr2Yk5XfzwnZigD_ZeOOEJXJWvQeHglzG6stgq4g-QrDjwZ9cBx-XocGt5DCUvn_JmYaX9FwSKyvd59icFyFGtmiVQchJKuVr2engu9Ij1brKg98pjKqnJKpUQ4J-P6YYPRQKFpYZL9kpgQFp35vPknK5ATdZHy65lqWhHucwEtkFeN2YNUwDKM/s832/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_roger_mcguinn_as_catholic_priest_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrQFhhr2Yk5XfzwnZigD_ZeOOEJXJWvQeHglzG6stgq4g-QrDjwZ9cBx-XocGt5DCUvn_JmYaX9FwSKyvd59icFyFGtmiVQchJKuVr2engu9Ij1brKg98pjKqnJKpUQ4J-P6YYPRQKFpYZL9kpgQFp35vPknK5ATdZHy65lqWhHucwEtkFeN2YNUwDKM/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_roger_mcguinn_as_catholic_priest_3.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back in the 1970s Mike Nesmith and Linda Ronstadt got married, and this is their daughter Mary in 1991.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKse0wJ79KrESBgKAJxPec_siMW7aGKTNXrCWNMt1-oHleILQzCsDPphyphenhyphenMcm9sf55TH54mN1aWHpBcHNuMMugE5M3KVFwE2P_T39AlUeQoHaOJHpyolOgPa_RCbtYMvW4GkZvD2ctNPExzf1vvULGhFh83cT4Y3QTW6N_Hvxc39QW5ilaQKJYNkzidw9I/s1344/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_the_daughter_of_mike_nesmith_and_linda_r_1%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1344" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKse0wJ79KrESBgKAJxPec_siMW7aGKTNXrCWNMt1-oHleILQzCsDPphyphenhyphenMcm9sf55TH54mN1aWHpBcHNuMMugE5M3KVFwE2P_T39AlUeQoHaOJHpyolOgPa_RCbtYMvW4GkZvD2ctNPExzf1vvULGhFh83cT4Y3QTW6N_Hvxc39QW5ilaQKJYNkzidw9I/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_the_daughter_of_mike_nesmith_and_linda_r_1%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I'll finish off with a picture of Lennon with Sinead O'Connor. I do wonder what he would have made of her. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrjU1IkuYXrbH6Hf9fbrkqrAHnublbnshWlD-B0JFEKzS5opGPAKtpjnvybN9VVp8C_eNsP3nj9U0cD3TierRq7uUQIqb6KTkcG17OJcUY6q1r9ZbqHtGt8iSx3EEK15e2zZgJ7T7fb545n_i1d03T9crg_miKsn3veScyaiRcVzOlROwI8he-i7AqpU/s832/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_john_lennon_with_sinead_oconnor_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrjU1IkuYXrbH6Hf9fbrkqrAHnublbnshWlD-B0JFEKzS5opGPAKtpjnvybN9VVp8C_eNsP3nj9U0cD3TierRq7uUQIqb6KTkcG17OJcUY6q1r9ZbqHtGt8iSx3EEK15e2zZgJ7T7fb545n_i1d03T9crg_miKsn3veScyaiRcVzOlROwI8he-i7AqpU/s320/Leonardo_Diffusion_XL_john_lennon_with_sinead_oconnor_2.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>Enjoy!</p></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-60310660590051073892021-07-06T14:27:00.005-07:002021-07-06T15:02:33.555-07:00Review of Bryn Fortey's Crossing the Race Line: Jazz and Blues Poetry<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_qVyLPAYMc/YOTKvcZfaeI/AAAAAAAAIAY/hQ-XYIBFREMUOW7E01LuepHKnZLOH4GJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s499/51hQZazFZ4S._SX348_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="350" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_qVyLPAYMc/YOTKvcZfaeI/AAAAAAAAIAY/hQ-XYIBFREMUOW7E01LuepHKnZLOH4GJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h400/51hQZazFZ4S._SX348_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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mso-para-margin-left:0in;
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Crossing the Race Line: Jazz and Blues Poetry</i> by Bryn
Fortey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alien Buddha Press, 2021.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ISBN: 9798749238259.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>36pp, $10.44.</span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">For a musical genre that is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something of a specialized taste, jazz is a
popular element in the work of contemporary poets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yusef Komunyakaa’s <i>Testimony</i> is
essentially a biography of the legendary Charlie Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sonia Sanchez, a musician’s daughter, has
wed poetry and music in her recent reading at Detroit’s Carr Center, collaborating
with pianist Danilo Perez and drummer Teri Lyne Carrington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The late Felino A. Soriano frequently wrote
poems in response to music by a wide variety of artists, especially more
contemporary figures such as Robert Glasper, Jason Moran, and Takuya
Kuroda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other poets use jazz to evoke an
atmosphere or provoke personal memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>British poet and elder Bryn Fortey is an archivist-poet, drawing
attention to the lives of both famous and lesser-known musicians through short
poetic biographies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are fortunate
that he has gathered a number of these poems that reveal eccentric sides of the
musicians <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in his recent book, <i>Crossing
the Race Line: Jazz and Blues Poetry</i>.</span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a good biographer, Fortey not only captures his subject
but also places him/her and the music in context.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the collection’s first poem,
“Crossing the Race Line,” does not focus on an individual, it still depicts
jazz’s complex racial history arising out of a segregated American society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Italian/American Eddie Lang” was a
particularly interesting figure as he had to masquerade as “Blind Willie Dunn”
during his 1929 sessions with the African-American<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Ethan%20Goffman" datetime="2021-07-06T11:22"> </ins></span>guitarist
Lonnie Johnson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eddie Lang, moreover, was
the stage name of Salvatore Massaro, another masquerade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Segregation and racism had more noxious
impacts. The <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>poem “Mercy Blues” portrays
the death of Bessie Smith, who, despite her enormous popularity, died because
local law forbid her from being treated at a “white” hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A later poem, “Sins of the Father,” shows how
the pianist Romano Mussolini carved out a career in jazz while distancing
himself from his notorious father, the dictator Benito Mussolini.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortey conveys his discomfort with the
father’s actions and alliances despite his appreciation of the son’s
“entertaining electric piano.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regarding
a Romano Mussolini CD, the poet notes that he “would not have bought [it] new”
and that it was a “charity shop purchase,” implying what the father’s war and
its aftereffects meant to him, a British man born in the late 1930s.</span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">In some ways, “Sins of the Father” is a characteristic poem,
highlighting a lesser known figure in music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other figures rediscovered in this book include Lil Hardin, “The Second
Mrs. Armstrong,” a college-educated musician and bandleader;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup; and Sonny Stitt, whose
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“strong arm tactics/ When trying to
raise funds” for his heroin addiction led to the death of a young musician and
friend of Miles Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some, like the
Ganelin Trio and pianist Joanne Brackeen, are simply discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more well-known figures such as Howlin’
Wolf, Bo Diddley, Miles Davis, and Chet Baker are presented from an unusual <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The poem “Ellas McDaniel,” for example, reveals his “[roots] in the
blues/ With a nod to the field hollers / That preceded it all” and his past as
a “boy violinist” before giving his more famous name—Bo Diddley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Trimmings” depicts the young, fastidious
Miles Davis being disgusted by Charlie Parker’s almost rock and roll excesses
as they ride together in a cab.<br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
Fortey also presents his personal response to this music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In “Learning the Blues,” he discloses the
song that began his interest in this musical genre: Frankie Laine’s “West End
Blues,” from 1947.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he
acknowledges that Laine’s “slice of the blues/ Might not be the best ever
recorded,” the song continues to satisfy him, if only through nostalgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortey’s tribute to John Lee Hooker, “Hey
There Blues,” is a fan letter to the bluesman rather than a brief
biography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I encourage you to purchase this book, to learn about these
important figures in our culture, to be inspired to listen to more jazz and
blues, and to learn unusual aspects of their lives and music that reveal
different dimensions of their character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In particular, Lil Hardin is an extremely intriguing person, perhaps
ready to be rediscovered in our times for her efforts to guide Louis Armstrong
to stardom and then to build her own career after the end of their marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a shame that, according to her
Wikipedia page, the incomplete draft of her autobiography disappeared after her
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in Bryn Fortey’s book,
musicians like her step out into the spotlight.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now to play some of music by some of the people Bryn celebrates.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't mention him in this review, but "The Death of Blind Lemon Jefferson" is a chilling poem. Here is the blues man singing "See That My Grave is Kept Clean": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3mxjtpyBc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3mxjtpyBc</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is Frankie Laine's "West End Blues": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTAC6jcoI3s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTAC6jcoI3s </a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lil Hardin & Her Swing Band play "Oriental Swing" in 1938: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMhJjEl90A">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMhJjEl90A </a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">This February Joanne Brackeen played at NYC's Zinc Bar: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcxTHXNh01Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcxTHXNh01Y </a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Freddie Webster plays trumpet on "I Can Make You Love Me, If You'll Let Me" by Sarah Vaughn and the Thad Dameron Orchestra: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkjCDmnd5W4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkjCDmnd5W4</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll finish with the Gamelin Trio's "Opus 3 (Cantus)" from 1989: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRZ5ziUnk1s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRZ5ziUnk1s </a><br /></span></b></p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></b>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-66760000691024935612021-06-06T19:25:00.008-07:002021-06-09T19:00:11.424-07:00Poems from Trials & Tribulations of Sports Bob by Sharon Waller Knutson<p><!--[if !mso]>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQAtC_trVGc/YL2O6-nwtDI/AAAAAAAAH4E/9aeULPekOGoLujiIm2Jl3VMDAYL8BwhugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/uptown%2Bbutte.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQAtC_trVGc/YL2O6-nwtDI/AAAAAAAAH4E/9aeULPekOGoLujiIm2Jl3VMDAYL8BwhugCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/uptown%2Bbutte.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Photo of Uptown Butte by Jasperdo</span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tonight, as I bring back The Song Is... for Summer 2021, I'd like to post some new poems by Sharon Waller Knutson. These poems are part of her tribute to her friend and former co-worker Bob Brown. The two of them worked together on the Montana Standard, a newspaper based in Butte. Until recently, they had lost touch with each other, but thanks to the internet, they reconnected, and these poems are the fruit of their renewed friendship. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Poems from Sharon Waller Knutson’s new poetry book, <i>Trials
& Tribulations of Sports Bob</i>, the true story of Bob Brown, retired
award winning sports writer and photographer for 43 years to be published by
Kelsay Books in 2022.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzlfZ4O1wNA/YL2DAVws1eI/AAAAAAAAH3U/UTm4oXgGFJMzp1TKrcygDOQNC8JggHNMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s875/Baby%2BBob.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzlfZ4O1wNA/YL2DAVws1eI/AAAAAAAAH3U/UTm4oXgGFJMzp1TKrcygDOQNC8JggHNMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Baby%2BBob.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo of Bob Brown from his photo album</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Photo
of Baby Bob</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Although he has the face</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">grandmas and mamas</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">pinch and pray</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">their daughters will marry,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">in his black jumper</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and gray sweater, his body</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">fattened up by his German</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">grandma and mama</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">who dote on this first born</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">of a farmer and a housewife,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">shows he is no prima donna.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes are used to the dark</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and his nose tells him</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">something stinks, but he</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">doesn’t know it’s him.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He thinks it is normal</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">to live without electricity</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">or running water </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and to get hosed off</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">at the car wash next door</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">when his father thinks</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">he smells too bad. </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He pays no attention</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">to the stuffed bear plopped</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">beside him because he</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">is fascinated by the flashing</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">light that bursts out</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">of the big box on a stick</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">that makes him blink.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He doesn’t know that</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">at only a few months old</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">when he gazes into the lens</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">he is looking into his future.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">First published in Verse-Virtual</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6SuIz9XgZw/YL2DjVvW2jI/AAAAAAAAH3c/sirVePBPI3kENvL846dOXFPv2VeoQ7T4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s777/Sports%2BBob.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6SuIz9XgZw/YL2DjVvW2jI/AAAAAAAAH3c/sirVePBPI3kENvL846dOXFPv2VeoQ7T4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sports%2BBob.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo by Oconto County Reporter</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Sports Bob </span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">He is seventeen,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">a six foot senior,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">forward for Oconto High.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">No. 44 on his back.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">The score is tied</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and Buddy Yeager </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">roars across the court</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">like a freight train</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and he steps out</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and his nemesis</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">slams into him, pinning</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">him to the floor. <i>Foul.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">The ref blows the whistle</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and holds up two fingers </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and he shoots the ball,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">it soars and sinks the basket</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">as the crowd cheers</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and his team carries him</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">on their shoulders to celebrate</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">beating rival Oconto Falls</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">for the first time in six years</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">in their cracker box gym.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Snags the trophy for captain</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">of the 1959-60 season.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Uniforms soaking wet</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">right down to the jock strap,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">as snow and slush pile up</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">four inches deep on the football</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">field, they trail the other team.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Shiver and you are toast</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">the coach shouts. He grits</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">his teeth and his father</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">tells him to quit belly aching</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and start scoring. So he does.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">He makes the touchdown</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">to win the game in Algoma<i>.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">He never misses a Milwaukee-</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Braves game on the radio.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Freshman year, he hits a double</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">to win the game. His heart</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">breaks when his school</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">drops baseball.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">A high jumper in track,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">his muscular legs leap</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">over the high bar</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">to land in a sawdust pit</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">soft as feathers when fresh.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Hard as concrete after rain.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">His golf coach would rather</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">play golf than teach it.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">He is no Tiger Woods</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">as he hits and slices</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and the ball slides right</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">past the hole, but he earns</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">nine sports letters despite</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">working in the lumberyard</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">and two factories and editing</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">the yearbook and his mother</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">harping on him daily,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Sports stink. Get a fourth job.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;">Scroll down for more poems and photos</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ6QudYJgmk/YL2E30435pI/AAAAAAAAH3k/TITDKktah98LpabbHcf8ABBJ0HbXt8k7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1069/Bob%2Band%2BCarole%2527s%2BWedding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1069" height="351" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ6QudYJgmk/YL2E30435pI/AAAAAAAAH3k/TITDKktah98LpabbHcf8ABBJ0HbXt8k7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h351/Bob%2Band%2BCarole%2527s%2BWedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Bob
and Carole Brown Photo by Morgan Lee</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Sept. 5, 1964 Wisconsin</span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Everything
is white except</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">the
croissants on the plate.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Perfume
of white mums</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">turns
St. Joseph’s Catholic</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Church
into a garden.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">He
even wears a white tuxedo</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">to
match his bride’s organza</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">gown
and both families</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">toast
to the bride and groom.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Knowing
this day would come.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">But she is
just his sister’s</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">best
friend and he the bossy</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">big
brother until his senior year</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">when he
notices she’s all grown up.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">But by
then there is no time</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">for
romance with college </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
a job in Montana. Letters</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">fly.
The phone rings.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">He
is smitten and buys.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">a
diamond ring and sends</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">it
in the mail with a note,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Will
you marry me?</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">And
she calls and shrieks,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Of
course, you idiot.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Soon
they are on the road</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">to
Montana, frigid </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">as
Alaska and the Antarctic.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">But
she’s along for the ride </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">so
she snuggles up to him</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
turns up the radio.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrEL4hXQNzA/YL2FW6GgUYI/AAAAAAAAH3s/pJhYB81g2z8Fjw7ISuf7Mwz-UFRooEftACLcBGAsYHQ/s1105/Carole%2Band%2Bkitten.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="786" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrEL4hXQNzA/YL2FW6GgUYI/AAAAAAAAH3s/pJhYB81g2z8Fjw7ISuf7Mwz-UFRooEftACLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h400/Carole%2Band%2Bkitten.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Carole
Brown and kitten Photo by Bob Brown</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
Innocents</span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">for
Carole</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Barely
a bride,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">she
braces herself</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">against
the wind</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
frigid air</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">of
this copper mining</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">town
and snatches</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">up
the stray off</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">the
street. Barely</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">born,
this silver</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
black tabby</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">digs
its claws </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">into
the shoulder</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">of
its new mama</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
hangs on</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">as
both of them</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">have
no clue</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">that
they have both</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">found
their destiny.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carole Brown with Axle and Boo Boo photo by Bob Brown</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5s-GnFbVVY/YL2GADmuSAI/AAAAAAAAH30/HebKL1YDokcsNLooPRMM7W5aO-HepsezwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1430/Carole%2BAxel%2Band%2BBoo%2BBoo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1430" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5s-GnFbVVY/YL2GADmuSAI/AAAAAAAAH30/HebKL1YDokcsNLooPRMM7W5aO-HepsezwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h283/Carole%2BAxel%2Band%2BBoo%2BBoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Watch
Cats</span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">for
Carole</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">For
almost six decades</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">she
has been rescuing</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
watching stray cats.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">However,
Gold Nugget,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">long
gone, Axle and Boo Boo,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">now
the resident tabbies,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">will
tell you they have</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">been
watching her </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">since
they rescued her.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">They
watch her as she sleeps,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">reads
her mystery novels,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">stirs
the fondue in the pot,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">views
ball games and Dateline,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">leaves
for mass and the Mayo Clinic.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">They’re
pretty sure they will</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">watch
her until they die and then</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">she
will acquire more watch cats.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bob Brown Photo by Carole Brown</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOwULh-CzqQ/YL2Gru6khuI/AAAAAAAAH38/JmQnpa2qYW4SWFpa0lEhBRalW3LaWHpQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1430/Hermit%2BBob.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1430" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOwULh-CzqQ/YL2Gru6khuI/AAAAAAAAH38/JmQnpa2qYW4SWFpa0lEhBRalW3LaWHpQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/Hermit%2BBob.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Hermit
Bob</span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Fileted
from stem to stem</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">by
surgeon’s scalpels,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">fingers
and feet swelling</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">like
yeasted bread dough,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">he
spends most of his time</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">on
the second floor</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">of
the house he has lived</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">in
for five decades, mostly</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">in
his office surrounded</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">by
mementos of the sports</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
music life he loves.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">As
the breeze blows the curtains,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">letting
in the sunshine, he is startled</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">by
her footsteps, the flash bulbs</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">so
bright even the striped tabby tries</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">to
jump out of his arms, </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">but
he holds on tight</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">because
he knows the road is</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">going
to get even bumpier,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and
having lived almost eight decades,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">he
is prepared for whatever</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">life
throws his way as long as</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">he
has his computer and cats,</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">and,
of course, her for company.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="im"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Falling For Her</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He falls for her in high school</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and falls all over her for almost</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">six decades of marriage.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">But he doesn’t fall head</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">over heels until sprinting</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">towards his eighth decade</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="im"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">he loses his balance</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and their nurse neighbor</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">hears screams and slips</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">out of her sickbed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and finds them sprawled</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">on the sidewalk, her femur</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">splayed and splintered</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and his ribs rioting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and protesting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">like the hawk and thrasher</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">in the oak tree in their yard.</span></p></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lKcToCVgG0/YMFxU8PpxaI/AAAAAAAAH40/d0T5ztpckuki0H2ZXL_yzhlQgC2sy9kxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1987/10873356_10153999345332250_3468566589142813254_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1987" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lKcToCVgG0/YMFxU8PpxaI/AAAAAAAAH40/d0T5ztpckuki0H2ZXL_yzhlQgC2sy9kxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h311/10873356_10153999345332250_3468566589142813254_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr1NrAvfp5w/YMFyAp_kE9I/AAAAAAAAH48/pBxzTZ5v-HAWhkYOkFhDYclvL1T14WSeACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Butte%2Bbelow%2BNo.%2B1_pe_pe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr1NrAvfp5w/YMFyAp_kE9I/AAAAAAAAH48/pBxzTZ5v-HAWhkYOkFhDYclvL1T14WSeACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h278/Butte%2Bbelow%2BNo.%2B1_pe_pe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> Photo of Butte by Bob Brown<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Sharon Waller Knutson is a retired journalist who lives in a wildlife habitat in Arizona. She has published several poetry books including <i>My
Grandmother Smokes Chesterfields by Flutter Press and What the
Clairvoyant Doesn’t Say and Trials & Tribulations of Sports Bob
forthcoming from Kelsay Books. Her work has also appeared</i> in various journals most recently in Spillwords,Trouvaille Review, Muddy River Review, Gleam, a journal for the Cadralor, <i>Verse-Virtual, Your Daily Poem, Red Eft Review</i> and <i>The Song Is…</i></span></span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">I hope that you enjoyed this preview of Sharon's new book. Kelsay Books will publish it in 2022, which is not that long from now!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's add a little music.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the pandemic I've been listening to a number of younger or new to me jazz musicians who perform at Smalls in NYC. Here is the vibraphonist Sasha Bernstein's "Between the World and Me": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7LUU0sm6HQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7LUU0sm6HQ</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the other members of her quintet, she plays Warren Wolf's "Grand Central" and her own "Spliced Heart":<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zPHTEN3b4" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zPHTEN3b4</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Peter Bernstein Quartet plays Monk's "Pannonica": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUZq4Iij2yQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUZq4Iij2yQ </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here Bernstein plays "Stella by Starlight" with his fellow guitarist Joachim Schoenecker: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53PnDciyMQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53PnDciyMQ </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy! <br /></span></span></p>
<p> </p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-82002517227406663812021-03-06T16:29:00.001-08:002021-03-06T16:29:08.434-08:00Review of David Churchill's Latest Book -- Poetry and the Concept of Maya: Poems of Alan Britt<p> <!--[if !mso]>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cb73Wdyf5j8/YEQYAlsLafI/AAAAAAAAHqc/6IsgZpAOw9od1BkIGfdwuIw6d3ogXAneACLcBGAsYHQ/s458/Poetry-and-the-concept-of-Maya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="299" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cb73Wdyf5j8/YEQYAlsLafI/AAAAAAAAHqc/6IsgZpAOw9od1BkIGfdwuIw6d3ogXAneACLcBGAsYHQ/w244-h374/Poetry-and-the-concept-of-Maya.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">ISBN-13: 978-0-9753095-8-2
($19.95)</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Pony One Dog Press</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Poetry and the
Concept of Maya</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">: </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Text and Commentary David Churchill </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">on the poetry of Alan Britt </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Review
by Patty Dickson Pieczka</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">The
Concept of Maya </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">is a push-and-pull tango between
two interesting mindsets—fanciful and analytical. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">When
Alan Britt writes about plants in his yard, vines grow along his arm and wind
down his finger, curving around his pen until they sprout on the page. David
Churchill helps us dissect these leaves until every vein bleeds, using the
prism of Maya, which reflects the light of poetry with three rays: one to
obscure truth, another to project a world of broken forms, and a third that
reveals the radiance of full consciousness and shows us the various levels of
reality within the poem. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">The poems in Chapter One are chilling in their simplicity
and double meanings. On the surface, they appear to depict a suburban backyard,
but set during the time of the tower bombings, a rough edge is scorched onto
them, as in the poem, “September, 2001”</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">. . . a distant white
dog</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">gnawing the first hour
of late afternoon….</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">September leans on a
split-rail fence</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">and watches yellow
leaves</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">sail by in a swirling
gust of ashes.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">In Chapter Two, Churchill reminds us to search out the face
of the speaker by finding consistencies from one poem to the next. Nature is a
nearly constant theme, but here, Britt branches into poems about love, poetry,
music, and delivers more beautiful and thought-provoking imagery as in,
“Marrying Myths.” </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span> </span>I married
a myth.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">She drifted away.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">I awoke</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">in the throat of a gold
mine….</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">….But, tonight, I feel
like dreaming</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">a new myth,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">one with hips</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">of black wine,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">one whose kisses
resemble rainbirds</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">in shiny long black
coats</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">strolling like stately
gods of pepper</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">over St. Croix’s windy
white sand</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">strewn with bruised
yellow</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">and green palm fronds….</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Churchill encourages us, in Chapter Three, to experience
poetry as a child, seeing everything for the first time. This is never
difficult with Britt’s poetry with its imagistic and unique perspectives.
Consider his poem, “The Stars.”</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span> </span>“The
Stars”</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">The stars are shamans.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">They paint arroyos</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">the color</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">of Gilas:<span> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">bruised-orange,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">black,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">burnt-ochre.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Sand</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">flows through</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">the universe’s thin
waist,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">emerges</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">from</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">cottonwood’s</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">three hips</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">shaped</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">like</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">green</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">mantras. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Chapter Four takes a philosophical turn:</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">“Thoreau Says We Must
Live Within Two Miles of Our Primary Childhood”</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">I sleep.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Alarm clock’s</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">green antlers</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">tear holes</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">in my significant dream</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">as solid as a wild
mustang</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">of dry Arizona wind.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Raindrops splatter</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">like hollow, red,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">shotgun cartridges.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Sleet hisses.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">The
Context of Maya</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> is the kind of book that alters the mind. David Churchill
studies the aerodynamics of Alan Britt as he drifts on his helium flight of
unexplored concepts of poetry, swooping close to the ground only long enough to
pick a flower that is likely to turn into a swarm of blue butterflies forming
words in the clouds. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"> You may purchase this illuminating textbook at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Concept-Maya-Textbook-Poets/dp/0975309587/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=poetry+and+the+concept+of+maya&link_code=qs&qid=1615075496&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.ponyonedog.com/book/poetry-and-the-concept-of-maya/" target="_blank">Pony One Dog Press</a>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Lately I've been listening to a lot of the Facebook videos from Smalls Jazz Club in New York. I like that they feature many young musicians or at least some who are new to me. Here are a few:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">This video with the alto saxophonist Plume and drummer Kush Abadey is from before the pandemic: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrrkmQ5Ca-s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrrkmQ5Ca-s</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander's video is not from Smalls, but I thought I'd include it: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fEChBa7rVY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fEChBa7rVY </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;">I'll finish with one more....The Nir Felder 4 play "Memorial":<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZ9zZXoOBk" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZ9zZXoOBk </a><br /></span></span></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-51922763954131332172020-09-13T20:12:00.008-07:002020-09-14T21:03:38.087-07:00Welcome to Sharon Waller Knutson!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocZpn22QG2E/X17aNP-5cyI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/NQNbcgPFbis8U8QDkUEdU9j7iTlq3a_NACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/arizona-4093359_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1280" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocZpn22QG2E/X17aNP-5cyI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/NQNbcgPFbis8U8QDkUEdU9j7iTlq3a_NACLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h319/arizona-4093359_1280.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Recently, through the poetry community Verse-Virtual, I met the Arizona poet Sharon Waller Knutson. We have been corresponding about poetry and a few other things. Tonight I'd like to post a few of her poems for you to enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Stormy Sunday</span></b></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Cow crooner he calls me</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">as I warble Willie and Waylon</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">from my lightning lit living room</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">to carousing caroling cows</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">scrambling for shelter</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">as thunder trumpets and throbs</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">cumulus clouds circle</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">wind whistles and wails</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">dandelions droop and drowse</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">in a rambling rustlers’ rain</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Originally published in <i>Your Daily Poem.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2P2ItgkXDdM/X17fCXT-ijI/AAAAAAAAHRE/-gYftfscUNcZT1u9HnD56YReW7l3vv64ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/music%2Bman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2P2ItgkXDdM/X17fCXT-ijI/AAAAAAAAHRE/-gYftfscUNcZT1u9HnD56YReW7l3vv64ACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h246/music%2Bman.jpg" title="Photograph by Albert Knutson" width="320" /></a></i></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><i>Photograph by Sharon Waller Knutson</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><i> </i> </span><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Music Man</span></b></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">for Bobby</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> At the café, the gray hair musician</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">in the bushy beard and mustache,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">plays the guitar with his fingers</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and the drums with his feet.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">After five decades of performing</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">in bars, cafes and trailer parks,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">he still knows how to draw a crowd.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">He belts out Elvis, Johnny Cash</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and Tennessee Ford classics</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">in a deep growly voice. As his fingers</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">pick the strings, a fox tail, hanging</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">from the guitar, swings to the beat.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">He jokes that he only knows three songs</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and he sings them frontwards</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and backwards and he just bought</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">his guitar at the pawn shop.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;">The crowd dances, claps and laughs</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">although they’ve heard them all before</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">as they drink their beer and wine</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">and eat their steaks and fish and chips.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Originally published in </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Sharon's chapbook <i>Desert Directions</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhKqEVVTd5U/X17hULNzinI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/A0DNQzucp1MXY9VsJ6UJZU8t8NgRblw6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/Gene%2Band%2BWanda.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhKqEVVTd5U/X17hULNzinI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/A0DNQzucp1MXY9VsJ6UJZU8t8NgRblw6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Gene%2Band%2BWanda.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Photograph by Sharon Waller Knutson</span> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Country Royalty</b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">In memory of Wanda and Gene</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">In his white goatee and suspenders,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">his Dobro guitar electrifies</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">the room and sets it afire.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">She looks tiny and quiet</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">next to the loud giant bass</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">until her big voice fills the room.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">Tired of traveling the country</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">playing blue grass festivals, they</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">settle in a double wide at the foot</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">of the Superstitions, where valley</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">musicians gather to jam</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and down Jell-O shooters.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Even after the move to assisted living</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">they perform with friends</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">in the rec hall and at a local bar</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">When she loses her breath</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and he his memory,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">they hang up their instruments,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">spending his last days listening</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to music they made together.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">After he is gone, she sips a martini</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">at the local café, taps her feet</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to the rhythm as she listens</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to her favorite country band.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Originally published in </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Sharon's chapbook <i>Desert Directions</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span><style>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><style>
<!--
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pk8Bk35rVRQ/X17iJXokiNI/AAAAAAAAHRY/owE5f0fIteUbKvfuY7-1ePt6P4VxhcO_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/gene%2Bwanda%2Bportrait.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pk8Bk35rVRQ/X17iJXokiNI/AAAAAAAAHRY/owE5f0fIteUbKvfuY7-1ePt6P4VxhcO_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/gene%2Bwanda%2Bportrait.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /> Photograph by Sharon Waller Knutson</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5F9HSAVYho/X17mIoOmqlI/AAAAAAAAHR4/QASK0sBYSWw61mTeBkoRUPh5e3sDCxeUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/rest%2Bhome%2Bperformance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="2048" height="385" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5F9HSAVYho/X17mIoOmqlI/AAAAAAAAHR4/QASK0sBYSWw61mTeBkoRUPh5e3sDCxeUwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h385/rest%2Bhome%2Bperformance.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Photograph by Sharon Waller Knutson <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Best Audience Ever</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">Silver haired musicians</span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">crank up amps and hearing aids,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">strum stiff fingers on strings</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">of guitars and keyboards,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">voices aged like fine wine</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">yodel and twang</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">like Hank and Patsy</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to a packed crowd.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">But no one complains</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">about the loud music,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">sour notes, sad songs</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">or lousy tips.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;">Clapping to the beat,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">old bodies in wheel chairs</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and walkers and curved</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">spines sway and sing along</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">as aching bones and hearts,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">loneliness, sadness and regret</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">melt away like snow flakes,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">for this hour, they are all</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">sealed in a time capsule</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and transported to another</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">life where they were young,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">happy and healthy.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><style>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">The last two poems are about the gigs Sharon's husband would play with his band.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Sunday Morning at the Laundromat</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></b></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">You can hear the country music</span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">when you step out of the Village Inn</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and the Ace Hardware across the parking lot.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">But you can’t tell where it is coming from</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">until you follow the sound to the back</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">of the Laundromat where my husband’s band</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">is playing guitars and singing country songs</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to the steady rhythm of washing machines banging</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">like drums as they swish blankets in soapy water.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">A young mother taps her foot</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and sings the chorus as she loads</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">her towels into the washer</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">as her preschool daughter whirls around</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">like the clothes in the dryers behind her,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">her blonde braids and hands flying in the air.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">A white haired couple stop folding clothes</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">long enough to do the jitterbug</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">while other customers listen, watch and clap</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">as they wait for their clothes to wash and dry.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Originally published in <i>Your Daily Poem</i> and Sharon's chapbook <i>Desert Directions</i>. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_8kjI67mtY/X17jstheaDI/AAAAAAAAHRk/BVQ1DMxMbHkW_XBkSw_22pzHp8C2QZp-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s275/country%2Blaundromat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_8kjI67mtY/X17jstheaDI/AAAAAAAAHRk/BVQ1DMxMbHkW_XBkSw_22pzHp8C2QZp-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w229-h344/country%2Blaundromat.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_q3-sYqNQw/X17kmor3uKI/AAAAAAAAHRs/mXDgcy3FidkrYW03F6Ng03jGkRxlALVgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s273/dole%2Bwhip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_q3-sYqNQw/X17kmor3uKI/AAAAAAAAHRs/mXDgcy3FidkrYW03F6Ng03jGkRxlALVgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/dole%2Bwhip.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Yogurt Gig</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b> </b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">My husband gets</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to be a child again</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">playing guitar and singing</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">in the yogurt shop.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">Mesmerized by the sound,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">children of all ages dance</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and clap as they lick</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">their swirling cones</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">In-between songs,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">preschoolers gather</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">to touch the strings</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">of the electric guitar,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">then jump back and giggle</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">as sound reverberates,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">surprised to find out</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">where all the noise came from.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">When it is time to leave,</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">children waving dollar bills</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">flit like fireflies to the tip jar</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><span style="font-family: courier;">and then disappear into the night.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;">Originally published in </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Sharon's chapbook <i>Desert Directions</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="il">Sharon</span> Waller
Knutson lives in a house her husband, Al built out of clay from the land
on a dirt road in the middle of a wildlife habitat and open range of
the Arizona desert. A retired journalist, she writes narrative poems for
readers who don’t normally read poetry. In 2014, <span class="il">Sharon</span> sold her chapbook, <i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif">My Grandmother Smokes Chesterfields</span></i>, to winter visitors from all over the world in a café where her husband played guitar and sang country <span class="il">music</span>. Her customers told her they expected her to publish a new poetry book when they returned each year so, in 2015, she published <i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif">Desert Directions, </span></i>about her life in the desert. In 2016, she published <i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif">They Affectionately Call Her a Dinosaur</span></i>,
poems about her customers and other seniors in her life who started new
careers, businesses, and relationships after they retired. In 2017, she
published <i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif">I Did it Anyway</span></i>,
poems about how she broke the glass ceiling in the newspaper business
in the ‘60s and ‘70s, when women were typically relegated to the society
pages. Al retired from his <span class="il">music</span> gig in 2019, so now he and <span class="il">Sharon</span> stay busy watering assorted critters and enjoying their 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now let's listen to a little country music!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is Elvis' version of "Snowbird": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz48tw4gYsQ&list=PLaO_sxc_20apr0_PcACR6JTHsFbYGWOQX">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz48tw4gYsQ&list=PLaO_sxc_20apr0_PcACR6JTHsFbYGWOQX </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Patsy Cline sings "Sweet Dreams" here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imafHIq2210">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imafHIq2210 </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'll finish with some Hank Williams, first "Jambalaya": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BQpRqmwM0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BQpRqmwM0 </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">then "Honky Tonkin'": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN17OTQIGqg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN17OTQIGqg</a> <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and then his "Lost Highway": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92dezZCxer8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92dezZCxer8 </a></span> <br /></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-59899611838094797412020-09-12T18:20:00.001-07:002020-10-28T14:29:30.599-07:00In Honor of Those Who Have Survived COVID-19: A Generative Workshop -- 10/29 -- 1 to 2:15 pm<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRE5oI37uFU/X11zCHf-sKI/AAAAAAAAHQs/mufrXyqQK04HTXqoovkUBcZpas93iDKpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/tiffany%2Bpinckney.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="333" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRE5oI37uFU/X11zCHf-sKI/AAAAAAAAHQs/mufrXyqQK04HTXqoovkUBcZpas93iDKpQCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h333/tiffany%2Bpinckney.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">For more information about the survivors:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">(Deng Danjing) “Two Women Fell Sick from the Coronavirus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Survived.” -- </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/13/world/asia/coronavirus-death-life.html"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/13/world/asia/coronavirus-death-life.html</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">“Recovered, Almost: China’s Early Patients Unable to Shed
Coronavirus.” -- </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-patients-ins/recovered-almost-chinas-early-patients-unable-to-shed-coronavirus-idUSKCN2240HI"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-patients-ins/recovered-almost-chinas-early-patients-unable-to-shed-coronavirus-idUSKCN2240HI</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">(Tiffany Pinckney) “Looking for Answers within Coronavirus
Survivor’s Blood” -- </span><a href="https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/looking-for-answers-within-coronavirus-survivor-s-blood/article_f5f61318-6492-5f67-b776-ef1b2cadfad2.html"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/looking-for-answers-within-coronavirus-survivor-s-blood/article_f5f61318-6492-5f67-b776-ef1b2cadfad2.html</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">“Does Blood Plasma from COVID-19 Survivors Help Patients Infected
with Novel Coronavirus?’ -- </span><a href="https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-09-does-blood-plasma-from-covid-19-survivors-help-patients-with-novel-coronavirus.aspx"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-09-does-blood-plasma-from-covid-19-survivors-help-patients-with-novel-coronavirus.aspx</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">(Alex Tull) “After COVID-19: Anxious, Wary First Responders Back
on the Job” -- </span><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/27/coronavirus-first-responders-back-on-job/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/27/coronavirus-first-responders-back-on-job/</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">(Connie Titchen) “Woman, 106, Leaves Hospital After Coronavirus
Recovery” -- </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/15/woman-106-leaves-hospital-after-being-treated-for-coronavirus"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/15/woman-106-leaves-hospital-after-being-treated-for-coronavirus</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">(David Lat) “I Spent Six Days on a Ventilator with COVID-19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It Saved Me, But My Life is Not the
Same.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/09/my-near-death-experience-ventilator/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/09/my-near-death-experience-ventilator/</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;">(Jessica Bussert) “Former Local Nurse Heads to New York City” -- </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.bcdemocrat.com/2020/04/15/former_brown_county_er_nurse_heads_to_nyc/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">http://www.bcdemocrat.com/2020/04/15/former_brown_county_er_nurse_heads_to_nyc/</span></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">(Jade Christie) "Living with Long Haul Covid" <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMZxHs0lLQ4&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMZxHs0lLQ4&feature=youtu.be </a></span></span></span>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-22694275736216248902020-09-06T18:39:00.002-07:002020-09-06T19:05:29.365-07:00Susan Moorhead's Review of Rocky Landscape with Vagrants by Gary Glauber<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_gz15uYPb8/X1WOKIXq4sI/AAAAAAAAHPo/SM7Iwdv64E0tCy25_7dSsOxeqqHDga3NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/G8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_gz15uYPb8/X1WOKIXq4sI/AAAAAAAAHPo/SM7Iwdv64E0tCy25_7dSsOxeqqHDga3NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/G8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnc8wYaJb8A/X1WO4O-OkpI/AAAAAAAAHPw/bcXzL-3FV0sQsJoW1TSMyFPJptmwxwHrACLcBGAsYHQ/s470/G8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="309" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnc8wYaJb8A/X1WO4O-OkpI/AAAAAAAAHPw/bcXzL-3FV0sQsJoW1TSMyFPJptmwxwHrACLcBGAsYHQ/w329-h500/G8.JPG" width="329" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">From time to time, I post reviews of books by authors whose work has appeared at The Song Is... Tonight I'd like to post Susan Moorhead's review of Gary Glauber's new book. <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Review by Susan Moorhead:<span> </span>Rocky Landscape with Vagrants</span></span></b></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Gary Glauber's latest book of poetry, <i>Rocky Landscape with Vagrants</i>, opens
with a surreal poem where a line provides a most accurate description of a
poet's work - "...my own exasperation translates my speech into bird
calls."<span> </span>His book, divided into four
individual sections that together provide a cumulative whole, grapples with the
theatre of the absurd otherwise known as our current political landscape,
"where were you when history came unglued?".<span> </span>From the point of view as one who has seen
earlier times of unrest and conflict, in <i>Back
to the Garden fifty years</i> <i>on</i>, we
read how protests promised changes that went missing under the crush of
violence and loss,<span> </span>"rendering a
rift unlike any before, an ideological shift, a dream shattered into voices
that no longer knew harmony."<span> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Exploring the strange exercise of aging, some poems
consider the past with a knowing sadness, remembering when "everything was
a contest. It seemed to matter so much." and yet punching back with
"It is our purpose to resist the force".<span> </span>We meet a mentor from an academic past who
loved to teach but was ground down and spent over time, discover the moment the
poet chose his path:<span> </span>"a silent
self's promise to keep at the simple and complex process of transforming
thought and feeling..." and the responsibility of poems to find truth as
means of surviving the world. How merely searching out the color blue can
"soothe our savagery", or, as he encounters another poet's missteps
with dismay, notes how her words were "full of wrong notes that strove for
the universal".</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Poems here walk the closed streets of night careening
into sideshows of memories of lovers, real and imagined, and lean into
nostalgia with poems that read like stories or short films.<span> </span>A boy becoming invisible to his family as
they talk in Hungarian in other rooms,<span> </span>a
tapestry of a town where "When she grabs knife to peel supper potatoes,
she might well be arming herself against violent world.". The measuring
out of life in clock ticks, in the ticking of his father's heart valve, in the
beautiful poem, <i>Accessorizing</i>, a
moving tribute. A personal favorite, the imagery and wit of <i>Song of the Whale Shark</i>, as an enormous
whale shark cruises the scene, misunderstood, "endangered but not
necessarily endearing." (kind of like poetry, yes?)</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Music, art, pop culture thread the sentences as
distractions that both delight and obscure the troubles of the workaday life,
an argument that the aging spirit wears a suit of weariness faced with the
obvious difficulties of living, but still the poet notes "where beauty
hides unrecognized, given no proper framework in which to thrive, no
comprehension that a little tenderness might someday save us all." .<span> </span>Yes, despite acknowledging the teeter totter
balancing act of remembrance, both sweet and bitter, and a gruff assessment of
present day despairs, the poet "will sing harmony in the kaleidoscopic
third", finding that proper framework we need to thrive in the very lines
of his poetry.<span> </span>Bird calls indeed, these
necessary songs.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Susan Moorhead is a poet and writer, with a chapbook, The Night Ghost, and a poetry book forthcoming in January. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To read Gary's poems that have appeared at this blog-zine, please follow the links below:</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://thesongis.blogspot.com/2018/08/welcome-to-gary-glauber.html"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://thesongis.blogspot.com/2018/08/welcome-to-gary-glauber.html </span></span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://thesongis.blogspot.com/2019/01/five-by-gary-glauber.html"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://thesongis.blogspot.com/2019/01/five-by-gary-glauber.html </span></span></a> <br /></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Let's listen to some music tonight as well. Since Sonny Rollins' birthday is tomorrow, I'll post links to a few of his videos, starting with "St. Thomas": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA2XIWZxMKM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA2XIWZxMKM</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"Blue 7" is also from Saxophone Colossus: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv31fjnUVcE&list=PLf9eDaFgj2Gg25tR1i3cT2S3-V3B53VgD">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv31fjnUVcE&list=PLf9eDaFgj2Gg25tR1i3cT2S3-V3B53VgD </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Here is a live version of "Sonnymoon for Two (Evening)": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl4LKaS1nLI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl4LKaS1nLI </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I'll finish with his "Without a Song" from the 9/11 Concert: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwFOFKpPPLA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwFOFKpPPLA <br /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-38480375303515662372020-08-29T19:47:00.004-07:002020-08-31T13:10:51.544-07:00Sandi Leibowitz Returns<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTyJURRQU_Q/X0sIjBU_n8I/AAAAAAAAHNY/-OT7NG9gMcMk5a-TJFZo3vhLQsYV72W2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/memorial%2Bday%2Bbeaches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTyJURRQU_Q/X0sIjBU_n8I/AAAAAAAAHNY/-OT7NG9gMcMk5a-TJFZo3vhLQsYV72W2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h263/memorial%2Bday%2Bbeaches.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">This summer Sandi Leibowitz has joined my poetry group for its workshops even though she lives in NYC. Isn't Zoom wonderful! The second poem in this entry is from one of the workshops, by the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Memorial
Day</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">May
25, 2020</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">People
throng the beaches,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">worse
than those islands where walruses</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">flop
to shore to mate and bask,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">so
many bodies toe to toe</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">rather
than tusk to tusk.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
much bare skin,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">all
those jeans unzipped,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">T-shirts
ripped off revealing</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">sun-starved
flesh,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
nakedest of all,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">unmasked
faces.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
makes me shudder,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
thought of all those bodies,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">all
those mouths breathing</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
and out contagion.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If
the beach-goers are exhibitionists</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">of
pinniped dimensions,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
am a tortoise,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">sheltering
in place</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">within
the shell of my apartment.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even
indoors, my white skin’s</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">duly
layered.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At
three p.m., from my window wafts</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
sound of someone honoring</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">other
bodies:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a
bugler playing Taps. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><style>
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</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eRkyC3X0cQ/X0sMtlyR81I/AAAAAAAAHNk/pxJvXs6o7LQXnMSPD_gKJrAgtt9gsvySQCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/joseph%2Bvo%2Bvan%2Bngo%2Band%2Bbay%2Bthi%2Bhuynh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eRkyC3X0cQ/X0sMtlyR81I/AAAAAAAAHNk/pxJvXs6o7LQXnMSPD_gKJrAgtt9gsvySQCLcBGAsYHQ/w250-h375/joseph%2Bvo%2Bvan%2Bngo%2Band%2Bbay%2Bthi%2Bhuynh.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Boat</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For
Bay Thi Huynn, who fled from Vietnam in a boat with her husband Joseph in 1980.
They died in Worcester, MA of the coronavirus on the same day. </span></i></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sixty
years ago, the boat of marriage</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">carried
me to you.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
was not a ship of our own making,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">but
it was our labor </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">that
kept it from foundering.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
had no engines, no sails.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Always,
we rowed together,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">sometimes
through desperate currents.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
counted on you,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">as
you did me,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to
work the oars</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">despite
the ache of muscles</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">pushed
too far,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">exertion
almost beyond endurance.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If
you pulled too hard,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we
went off course.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If
I stopped rowing,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
boat went in useless circles.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
our land grew too dangerous,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">you
built in secret a real boat.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
used one of my old dresses for a sail</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
gave ourselves and our children </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to
the sea,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">risking
everything.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
were lucky ones;</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we
survived and built</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">new
lives in a new country.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now
in the same hospital</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we
lie for the first time</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
separate beds,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
rhythm we hear not</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
splash of waves</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">or
each others’ heartbeats</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">but
the labored intake </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
outtake of our breathing,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
machines’ chirps.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Take
my hand, Joseph,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">let
us pull away</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">together</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">as
we did in life, </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
sixty years of love,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">traversing
this new ocean.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What
is one more journey?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm7wWQSD5oo/X0sODOxgPhI/AAAAAAAAHNw/K3x7gCUkRmE_VrzUNMRzWXJT-5BYfAwDACLcBGAsYHQ/s436/dictionary%2Bstand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm7wWQSD5oo/X0sODOxgPhI/AAAAAAAAHNw/K3x7gCUkRmE_VrzUNMRzWXJT-5BYfAwDACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/dictionary%2Bstand.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Word</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There
are no nuances</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
my students’ vocabularies.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
don’t even know </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">simple
words like “faucet.”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
I assumed they have no belief</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
the potency of words.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
from the massive continent</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">of
the school library’s </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unabridged
Dictionary</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">someone
has carved out</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
set adrift the island </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">of
a single word—</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sex</i>.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In
someone’s pocket, the noun </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">bulges
like purloined diamonds;</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">it
rolls unspoken on someone’s tongue</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">like
ice cream before dinner.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style> -- A version of the above poem was previously published in Bigger Stones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvlo87XFcUQ/X0sPPMMryOI/AAAAAAAAHN8/6adDNp5WPa8K-LRxxDgPG_P7zo7MdKrLACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/st%2Bmark%2527s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pvlo87XFcUQ/X0sPPMMryOI/AAAAAAAAHN8/6adDNp5WPa8K-LRxxDgPG_P7zo7MdKrLACLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h263/st%2Bmark%2527s.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
the Dentist, I Long for Sweetness but Can’t Console </span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Myself
with Cake and So Stop at the St. Mark’s Bookshop </span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before
Going Home in the Stinging Winter Rain</span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
book of old Chinese poems.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That
should do it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
want to imagine a lake.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s
summer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
there are cranes.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
cross carefully </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">like
courtesans</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">lifting
silk skirts</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the
emperor’s </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">marble
</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">courtyard.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-------------------------------</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sandi has just published a new book, Ghost Light, a quarantine journal in verse. The first two poems are from this book. I encourage you to purchase it; here is the link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GFX3NM2/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&qid=1598129395&">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GFX3NM2/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&qid=1598129395&</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let's post some music from Smalls Jazz Club, a venue that has broadcast performances daily despite the quarantine, despite the curfew. <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The first video is of a jam session with Roy Hargrove, Stacy Dillard, Sebastian Rios, and others: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbxsofzgSA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbxsofzgSA</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here the Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet plays "The Song is You": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kII6gvHHzAE" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kII6gvHHzAE </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Eric Wyatt Quartet plays "One for Hakim": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KriD4EBdLo0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KriD4EBdLo0 </a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'll finish with the Ari Hoenig Trio and "Take the Coltrane": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL2GqPujiZU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL2GqPujiZU </a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-49133750877005115342020-08-22T20:27:00.002-07:002020-08-22T20:50:18.114-07:00Welcome to Anda Totoreanu!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18osmWKqgNs/X0HfBwBEjQI/AAAAAAAAHK8/4LNV6GAQ-YoYXuVp7sbZC1fR13WqYli9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s356/room%2Bin%2Bbrooklyn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="356" height="383" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18osmWKqgNs/X0HfBwBEjQI/AAAAAAAAHK8/4LNV6GAQ-YoYXuVp7sbZC1fR13WqYli9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w445-h383/room%2Bin%2Bbrooklyn.jpg" width="445" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Recently Sandi Leibowitz introduced me to Anda Totoreanu who then sent me her poems. Some of them are pandemic poems; some are not. Let's start with an ekphrastic poem inspired by Hopper's "A Room in Brooklyn," the painting depicted above.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3695b42f-7fff-87e8-e08b-8fa623866362" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflections in the Afternoon</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in response to Edward Hopper’s “A Room in Brooklyn”</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mother’s oak rocking chair</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is where I sit</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to watch the green light</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touch my carpeted floors</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there is a quiet warmth</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to sitting here</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in my own little corner</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of this great room</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she will always take up </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">space here</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- but I’d like to think</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a little piece of it.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">written 4.16.20</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iI8qMTrpwXw/X0HhwD5XypI/AAAAAAAAHLI/khO2tjKufrgjspqovULZeDn_9BbJbQcBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Japan-Sakura-Flowers-Spring-Pink-Cherry-Tree-4908635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iI8qMTrpwXw/X0HhwD5XypI/AAAAAAAAHLI/khO2tjKufrgjspqovULZeDn_9BbJbQcBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h342/Japan-Sakura-Flowers-Spring-Pink-Cherry-Tree-4908635.jpg" width="512" /></a></div> <p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br /></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-68a4e3e0-7fff-4a8a-d614-5e71dca016c1" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my fifth floor New York walk-up</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guest-room/office</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I look out into the courtyard</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">see cherry blossoms against grey bricks,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">finches chirping,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">& the angry mother in the window</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">across from mine</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yelling at her kids - maybe reminding them</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to pick up their clothes</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blues and pinks begin to paint the sky - a canvas </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">above the grey, soot-covered apartments</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I won’t leave my tower today -</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">instead looking down from above at the kingdom</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">left to the squirrels and the jesting birds</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I close my eyes, bring my hands</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the heart of my forehead, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bowing with gratitude - </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thank you.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">written 5.14.20</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwGVBjC3mA0/X0Hit41IIVI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/gUqInLvLLJgBmHa8X1p2R3pEiJWPKp-qgCLcBGAsYHQ/s275/hearth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwGVBjC3mA0/X0Hit41IIVI/AAAAAAAAHLQ/gUqInLvLLJgBmHa8X1p2R3pEiJWPKp-qgCLcBGAsYHQ/w344-h229/hearth.jpg" width="344" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></span><br /> <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-6b8fd8fe-7fff-4007-005f-1213ef74f2c1" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hearth</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rattle my cage</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">let my bones</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> pay for my sins</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">remind me how they click </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and creak</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bend them</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> into a sanctuary</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for your restless soul</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">find the heat</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> between them</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">make your home there.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">written July 25, 2019</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm338Y5zHAA/X0Hj4VlU2zI/AAAAAAAAHLc/WAWvgADzos8h8GzkVGlK2fr3MDiz7jVyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/rothko.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm338Y5zHAA/X0Hj4VlU2zI/AAAAAAAAHLc/WAWvgADzos8h8GzkVGlK2fr3MDiz7jVyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/rothko.Jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /> </span><br /> <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4275a5d6-7fff-c763-8f78-441ee3d08a86" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winter Picnics by the Riverside</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in response to “Untitled (Blue, Green and Brown)” by Mark Rothko</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winter picnics by the riverside</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quiet & breathless</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the birds have gone away</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so the trees are singing instead</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a wistful tune - an </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a capella </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quartet</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in my backyard</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How lucky am I to know such beauty!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel my legs sway along </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the soil crunching to the </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rhythm underneath me</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my chocolate brown hair </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lifting towards</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the tree branches</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">higher & higher</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">written 4.16.20</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQra6IR0mV8/X0HktVb8CxI/AAAAAAAAHLk/hnb9ktKr1fgRriy_prtTPaPPltD-xLCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s615/tomatoes-on-the-vine-1445571700AVV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="615" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQra6IR0mV8/X0HktVb8CxI/AAAAAAAAHLk/hnb9ktKr1fgRriy_prtTPaPPltD-xLCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w492-h276/tomatoes-on-the-vine-1445571700AVV.jpg" width="492" /></a></div> <p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-6354f79e-7fff-f6e7-6564-0d797812bc41" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Escape Plan #521</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tomatoes in my grandpa’s garden in Romania</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">are being neglected</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I wake up in the morning the first thing </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do is move my coffee table </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so that I can take up space</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are constellations on my keypad</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Anda Totoreanu</span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll finish with a little music. The other day I was listening to the pianist Duke Jordan, so here are some of his songs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here is his version of "Everything Happens to Me": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbpeqPEGF8&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbpeqPEGF8&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Another song from his 1973 album Flight to Denmark is "Glad I Met Pat": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZm0GAUKp1c&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM&index=2">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZm0GAUKp1c&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM&index=2 </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll conclude with his version of "Here's That Rainy Day": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKzbLgR9Yl4&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM&index=5">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKzbLgR9Yl4&list=PL0ibTNG4dn-SXsWpVTfaxkid9wSs1eOzM&index=5 </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><br /> </div><p></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-11507703288038696852020-08-16T20:48:00.000-07:002020-08-16T20:48:00.548-07:00Triolets by Joan Dobbie<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-res_MEDsjDM/XznxQ53w7NI/AAAAAAAAHII/cbEtebuY9iwBdXx1DcHnfW_4qpt21M3cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/22787539912_478c06cc5a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1024" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-res_MEDsjDM/XznxQ53w7NI/AAAAAAAAHII/cbEtebuY9iwBdXx1DcHnfW_4qpt21M3cgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h290/22787539912_478c06cc5a_b.jpg" title="Photograph by Michael Coghlan" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: courier;">Photograph by Michael Coghlan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: courier;">This summer I was thrilled that my teacher Joan Dobbie was able to join my poetry group's open mic and workshop on the theme of COVID-19. She brought with her a few triolets. Some of them plus a few more are published here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">For more information about the triolet, see this link: <a href="https://poets.org/glossary/triolet">https://poets.org/glossary/triolet</a>. I encourage you to try this poetic form. Even if you are as committed to free verse as I am, the triolet is worth a try. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here are Joan's triolets.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">IT'S RARE BUT IT COULD HAPPEN<br />Joan Dobbie<br /><br />I live in a blossoming fairy tale world<br />With white picket fences and grass well manicured<br />Trump signs on car bumpers, flags ever unfurled<br />I live in a blossoming fairy tale world<br />And still something bad happens to my little girl<br />Who falls sick from that virus and cannot be cured<br />I live in a blossoming fairy tale world<br />With white picket fences and grass well manicured</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHEnEjHUVAM/Xzn0I9vDVdI/AAAAAAAAHIU/6LTHVnJIUb4ovXN4f5g49kxD6Kc9uKhtACLcBGAsYHQ/s275/ahmaud%2Barbery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHEnEjHUVAM/Xzn0I9vDVdI/AAAAAAAAHIU/6LTHVnJIUb4ovXN4f5g49kxD6Kc9uKhtACLcBGAsYHQ/w344-h229/ahmaud%2Barbery.jpg" width="344" /></a></div> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">IF I SHOULD BE BLACK<br />Joan Dobbie<br /><br />If I'm a black person and I'm wearing a mask<br />It's a sad fact, some zealot might shoot me<br />If I'm a black person and I don't wear a mask<br />I might get sick. I might die, that's a fact.<br />If I am a black person and I run off the track<br />If I'm a black person and I'm wearing a mask</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">If I'm a black person and I don't wear a mask...<br />It's a sad fact, some zealot might shoot me</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssOEvn6ZADQ/Xzn1EKakOPI/AAAAAAAAHIc/Mu9x8aZnZ3w5ZViLQnX8ndRdZsx7GQGOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1458/slide-playing-child-toddler-girl-wallpaper-preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssOEvn6ZADQ/Xzn1EKakOPI/AAAAAAAAHIc/Mu9x8aZnZ3w5ZViLQnX8ndRdZsx7GQGOACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/slide-playing-child-toddler-girl-wallpaper-preview.jpg" /></a></div> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">THAT WOMAN<br />Joan Dobbie<br /><br />The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids<br />The sign by the slide and swings said NO, but that woman, she said YES<br /><br />What good's a park? the kids complained, "If we can't ride the rides?<br />The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids<br /><br />to set them free for just a bit ---and now the park forbids?<br />Four kids all going wild at home, her house and brain a mess<br /><br />The park was opened up, so that woman brought her kids<br />The sign by the slide and swings said NO, but that woman, she said YES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ykTjVS1GU/Xzn1oG_kP6I/AAAAAAAAHIk/7KSKIJ8J0GM_S5-EjIWojreN36iI_nC5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s274/Anawrahta%2BRoad%2Btraffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-ykTjVS1GU/Xzn1oG_kP6I/AAAAAAAAHIk/7KSKIJ8J0GM_S5-EjIWojreN36iI_nC5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w343-h230/Anawrahta%2BRoad%2Btraffic.jpg" width="343" /></a></div> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">BRIGHT LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC<br />Joan Dobbie<br /><br />They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy<br />And wherever I look the world's full up with people<br /><br />I got to like it at home, my sweet yard bright with daisies<br />They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy<br /><br />I'm not ready, you see, it's not that I'm lazy<br />It's more like I can't leave my yard and feel peaceful<br /><br />They want me to work, but the traffic is crazy<br />And wherever I look the world's full up with people</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFDsn8KYcXg/Xzn2PD7SHiI/AAAAAAAAHIw/kq9bn7oz9VsTAJ8avpPzkXvXthJ9GaPggCLcBGAsYHQ/s910/coffee-colleagues-cup-desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="910" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFDsn8KYcXg/Xzn2PD7SHiI/AAAAAAAAHIw/kq9bn7oz9VsTAJ8avpPzkXvXthJ9GaPggCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h330/coffee-colleagues-cup-desk.jpg" width="512" /></a></div> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">WORKING TOGETHER<br />Joan Dobbie<br /><br />We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath<br />That familiar joining I used to love<br /><br />But now that I fear it could carry death<br />(We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath)<br /><br />This working together is somethig I dread<br />My instincts were screaming, Back off, man! Just move...<br /><br />We were sitting so close I was breathing your breath<br />That familiar joining I used to love</span><div class="adL"><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div class="adL"><br /></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">I want to add a few more tributes to those we have lost to COVID-19. This tribute from the PBS News Hour is from May, but I did not recognize all of the names: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNnkHSPl-Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNnkHSPl-Y</a></span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">This tribute from ABC is also from May. It is touching but interesting to see what the friends and family members have to say<span></span>: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72495fQRvo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S72495fQRvo </a></span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">I will add a little music here. Last night I was listening to a YouTube video of pianist Walter Bishop, Jr.'s music, so here are a few for you.</span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">This is "Speak Low": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUl6P-OgWvw&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUl6P-OgWvw&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw</a></span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">Here is a recent version of Bishop's "Keeper of My Soul": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80_VMuKdN4&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e80_VMuKdN4&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw </a></span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;">I'll finish with Bishop's own version of "Alone Together": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizUk7j4PQ8&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw&index=7">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizUk7j4PQ8&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw&index=7 <br /></a></span></div><div class="adL"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TizUk7j4PQ8&list=PLA1G5YHiAXUEXPwzg8o2TQW9uC8h4EOaw&index=7"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></a></div><div class="adL"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span><br /></div></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-3075288984477724962020-08-12T19:12:00.013-07:002020-08-12T20:12:27.027-07:00Welcome to Fran Abrams<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFeVErtsgt4/XzShcNlNmeI/AAAAAAAAHFk/et5kVPDPcoopKNe4n6EExMAQrS70Aek4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s958/17074-an-african-american-woman-looking-out-a-window-pv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="958" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFeVErtsgt4/XzShcNlNmeI/AAAAAAAAHFk/et5kVPDPcoopKNe4n6EExMAQrS70Aek4wCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h410/17074-an-african-american-woman-looking-out-a-window-pv.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Photograph by Rhonda Baer</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span>This evening I'd like to post Maryland poet and polymer artist Fran Abrams' poems from the early part of the pandemic. It would be interesting to see what people are writing about the middle of this terrible event. Maybe Fran's poems will inspire you to document this part of the pandemic. Someday we will be done with COVID-19, but we are far from that point now.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span>
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The
Old Woman Stays at Home</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Fran Abrams</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Voices so few these days.</span><span style="font-family: courier;"></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
husband's voice, only as many words as needed</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to
stay in sync while staying home together.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
daughter's voice on the phone</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">reminding
me not to go out,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">asking
what groceries we need.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Voices
coming from the television.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some
with useful information.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hearing
others, I mute the sound.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
more voices of everyday errands.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Post
office, dry cleaners, restaurant,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">places
I no longer go.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
life returns to routine normal,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
will listen to the voices, grateful </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to
hear the music of a world that once again turns.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Published online April 18, 2020, at Verse-Virtual at </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.verse-virtual.org%2F2020%2FPandemic%2Ffran-abrams-2020-pandemic.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3VW-tDrtkCoyCgbHWgpRfpCqbmr3xJCiVProVR2YEXIGPjBW5HWWD02jE&h=AT3hOD1Sfx9Jy_xIeNWwbJmCXuukgG5zCK-Qwp827Dx_e7RKaBi1xkvl8xSQsV5ApIqdu2x1l40ihMgLR7VRoXchKGgjIJYjL0v4JlCwv4mcb93utn9VTYmbADr0MQbgDbqA&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5b0%5d=AT3XxH3_CQEvXdp1Q6v9W4IE-xwoNfs9fMlX5Rz9WDiTCbtlzAAoMcX6mcRW7ppNFBTuLOxHge6JdxK9tnYk0YhVS2zpeM3WYE2WSAfeXVE7qCoqT2Qkh-0qU5tMioU" target="_blank"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; padding: 0in;">http://www.<span class="il">verse</span>-<span class="il">virtual</span>.org/2020/Pandemic/fran-abrams-2020-pandemic.html</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; font-family: "inherit", serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; font-family: "inherit", serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLFPeBJv-9g/XzSkoAi1OHI/AAAAAAAAHFw/3iazIQ-4qRIFoROocz6brU7PLQO5JD6cACLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Singing-City-Virtual-Rehearsal-768x506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="768" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLFPeBJv-9g/XzSkoAi1OHI/AAAAAAAAHFw/3iazIQ-4qRIFoROocz6brU7PLQO5JD6cACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h338/Singing-City-Virtual-Rehearsal-768x506.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; padding: 0in;"> <span style="color: black;">The group above is a Philadelphia-area choir that now meets virtually.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; padding: 0in;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;">
</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In
the Zoom of Our Lives<span> </span></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Fran Abrams</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the year 2000, the makers of Mazda</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">introduced
a slogan to sell cars</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zoom
Zoom</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meant
to mimic the sound</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of
children playing with toy vehicles</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meant
to bring joy into driving.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the year 2020, months went by</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">when
people didn’t use their cars much</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
quick trip to grocery store or pharmacy</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
walked in their neighborhoods or nearby park</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">without
using a car</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was all about social distancing</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the year 2020, Zoom </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">became
a place to meet online</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meant
to substitute </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">for
getting together in person</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meant
to bring connection to people</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">forced
to social distance during a pandemic</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
the pandemic ends, will we once again</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">substitute
Zoom Zoom in our cars for Zoom on screen?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Delirious
like children</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Picking
up friends along the way</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Filling
up real spaces with real people</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
again getting to know people </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in
three dimensions.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BCoxhYDB9g/XzSmf6Q7oxI/AAAAAAAAHF8/Tyzui9V8ALgveWJSUTimhHy6SV-SNBB-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s267/man%2Bputting%2Bmask%2Bon%2Bchild.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="267" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BCoxhYDB9g/XzSmf6Q7oxI/AAAAAAAAHF8/Tyzui9V8ALgveWJSUTimhHy6SV-SNBB-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w334-h236/man%2Bputting%2Bmask%2Bon%2Bchild.jpg" width="334" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face="" style="border: 1pt none; color: #1155cc; font-family: "inherit", serif; padding: 0in;"><style>
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</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Pandemic Guidance </span></span></b></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fran Abrams<span style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br />A global pandemic, a</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">deadly virus </span></span><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">spread
by breath or touch.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keep
six feet away from other people. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why
not eight or ten?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We're
making it up as we go.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wear
face coverings when out in public </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">officials
decree.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Overnight,
face masks with pictures </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">of
kittens and puppies, sports teams and more</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">are
offered for purchase online.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We’re
making it up as we go.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stay
at home governors order.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Good
choice to work from home.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Set
up an office wherever there’s space.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now
there’s a shortage of power strips for sale.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We’re
making it up as we go.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Professional
sports teams debate </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">playing
to empty stands.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Already
100,000 individuals have died</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
the United States,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">enough
people to fill all the seats </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in
Yankee stadium</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">two
times over.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
wish I was making this up.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">------------------------------------------- <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before I add some music, I am going to include two tributes to those who have lost due to the coronavirus. The first tribute is from the end of May: h<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcy-E5m-iwQ">ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcy-E5m-iwQ</a></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcy-E5m-iwQ">. </a><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is amazing how young some of the people are. Pediatric nurse practitioner Samantha Ray Hickey died on July 13 in Boise, ID: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBkqqJ8XiZc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBkqqJ8XiZc</a></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBkqqJ8XiZc">.<span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: black;">Let's add some music, starting with the Wynton Marsalis Sextet's version of "Twelve's It," a song written by his father Ellis Marsalis, Jr.: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxhv-UifIFg&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxhv-UifIFg&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU</a></span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here Ellis Marsalis, Jr. plays "Sweet Lorraine" with his son Branford: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lgz0qB6snw&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU&index=2">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lgz0qB6snw&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU&index=2</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'll finish with "Joe Cool's Blues," which is from an album that Ellis and Wynton Marsalis did together and released in 1995: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRIioiECP4&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU&index=3">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRIioiECP4&list=PL1iYMIu3e9ZM0qJ-S4E154U1K917iB2lU&index=3 </a><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">
</span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-2051670553169341502020-08-09T20:21:00.003-07:002020-08-09T20:31:06.618-07:00Welcome to Sadiq Mustapha<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJKMgpRF9c/XzC3rAV_piI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/4VP8hga44fQZlaqvR3KU-4uOtEtItN5jACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/trannsistor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJKMgpRF9c/XzC3rAV_piI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/4VP8hga44fQZlaqvR3KU-4uOtEtItN5jACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h410/trannsistor.jpg" width="512" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tonight I'd like to post a poem that the Nigerian poet Sadiq Mustapha recently sent me. I must also add that Sadiq has stopped by some of my poetry group's events on Zoom this summer. I hope that he will be able to read some of his poetry to us before we return to face to face meetings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lost tongue of displaced bodies </span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">on the day it started my mother's </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">laughter grew into a wail </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> her old transistor radio carried </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the message of the end</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the one that has her lover's name on </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">time's book and has turned her into a </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">whole city of treasured memories</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we read</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">aloud from a postcolonial love poem </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">to find our displaced bodies, lost languange, </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">diminished love, to over come the mind's civic unrest </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and the violence of a pandemic: </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">my mother losses her tongue to grief; </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">sadness has a way of stealing sanity</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we went to the hospital</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">my aunt's daughter is in coma</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">but, hospitals are arbitrary abattoirs where women </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">are slain at childbirth</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">she woke from death to meet coma, </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">womb damaged and removed</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">after childbirth. </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the next day</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the new child died</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">of breathing infection </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">no machine to aid. </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">still she is in coma, </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we held prayers for her soul to unite </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">with her body, burnt incenses and danduwala </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">to chase hanging spirts </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yet she floats in coma. </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">loss is violence </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">it butchers the heart into chunks of meat </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we are displaced by these losses: </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">each making us a lost colony of grief. </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">there is a lockdown</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">there is venting</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">there is the world gasping for air through ventilators</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">stomachs searching for fill </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">the numbers are multiplying and death is, deftly having it way </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we have consumed more grief than we have consumed food </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">my mother switches off her radio</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">she no longer want to hear anymore of death.</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">-----------</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Author's note:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The word Danduwala is not an English word. It is a name of a perfume used in the northern Nigerian to exorcise djins (spirits) </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> --------</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tonight I'd like to play some Nigerian jazz from YouTube. The first is actually a performance in NYC by Kaleta and Zem Audu: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5lJS8pTN8E">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5lJS8pTN8E</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> "Sweet Mother" is a popular song. Here it's performed by Prince Nico Mbarga, Jr. and Rocafil Jazz: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TGZftpGVo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TGZftpGVo</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jazz guitarist Femi Leye plays at the 2015 Lagos Jazz Festival: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbocB9YuUyY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbocB9YuUyY </a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'll finish with piano jazz by Dapo Dina: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4osUq26BCDU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4osUq26BCDU</a></span><br /><div dir="auto"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div dir="auto"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </div><p></p>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-72663919662674119242020-08-01T19:21:00.003-07:002020-08-01T20:12:18.309-07:00Catching up with Daniel Snethen<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v22aq0f09QM/XyYjAueDZOI/AAAAAAAAHDk/nX5F7qRSVn4DMIKvTK1o4TiUsHkI8gw5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/yum%2Byum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1024" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v22aq0f09QM/XyYjAueDZOI/AAAAAAAAHDk/nX5F7qRSVn4DMIKvTK1o4TiUsHkI8gw5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h366/yum%2Byum.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><font face="courier">
South Dakota poet and naturalist Daniel Snethen has been busy lately, editing an anthology (Catfish McDaris is in it!) and publishing chapbooks. He sent me a few poems, which I will publish this evening. The first is a charming sonnet about vegetables.</font><div><font face="courier"><br /></font></div><div><div>
<p><b><font face="courier">Vegetables</font></b></p>
<p><font face="courier"><u></u> <u></u></font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Rutabagas, turnips, radishes, beets,</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">store earthly nutrients and vitamins.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Fry them in lard, sprinkled with cinnamon</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">and you’ll have a dish most scrumptious to eat.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Rutabagas, turnips, radishes, beets,</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">very nutritious they’ll help keep you thin.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Consume these roots daily, it’s not a sin.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">They taste mighty good and awesome with meat.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier"><u></u> <u></u></font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Sweet peas and string beans and gumbo okra</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">taste great in their seed pods but hard to beat</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">with a pinch of salt, slathered in butter.</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">Sweet peas and string beans and gumbo okra,</font></p>
<p><font face="courier">rutabagas, turnips, radishes, beets,</font></p>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><font face="courier">all
taste awesome with roast beef and butter.</font></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><font size="5"><br />
</font></span></div><div style="font-family: calibri, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qNgScEtdI0/XyYlUTdE6GI/AAAAAAAAHDw/awC2LCkTHUs8qRr0XofJ5-LlZc55uAq2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/pear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qNgScEtdI0/XyYlUTdE6GI/AAAAAAAAHDw/awC2LCkTHUs8qRr0XofJ5-LlZc55uAq2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h384/pear.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><font size="5"><br /></font></span></div><div style="font-family: calibri, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><font size="5"><br /></font></span></div><div style="font-family: calibri, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><font size="5"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><font face="courier"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Your Lovely Pear<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">Thank you Dear<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">for the lovely pear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">The sweet soft flesh<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">and aromatic smell.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">And when I smelt<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">and tasted of your pear,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">sweet nectar dribbled<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">down my whiskered chin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">I thought ambrosia<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">should taste so good<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">and realized nothing<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">on this Earth was quite<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">as lovely as your perfect pear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">Thank you Dear<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">for that lovely pear,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">that lovely pear, that lovely pear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">I love you Dear, I love you Dear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">Thank you Dear<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;">for that lovely pear. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCzV_DXr8fg/XyYmw6GJw6I/AAAAAAAAHD8/2pD7wca5JvQOZXlibHLbFnwLp44k-8JIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Blue-legged_Centipede_%2528Ethmostigmus_trigonopodus%2529_%252812681235843%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2048" height="373" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCzV_DXr8fg/XyYmw6GJw6I/AAAAAAAAHD8/2pD7wca5JvQOZXlibHLbFnwLp44k-8JIACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h373/Blue-legged_Centipede_%2528Ethmostigmus_trigonopodus%2529_%252812681235843%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div> <o:p></o:p><p></p></font></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: calibri, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><font face="courier">Canyon County Predators<o:p></o:p></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><b><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">blue-green centipedes<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Idaho camel spiders<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">hunt unwary prey<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">across Pickles Butte lava<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">beneath the sweltering sun</font><font face="verdana"><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9bzsNyc0UU/XyYnrbWHPcI/AAAAAAAAHEE/rjzZOJZp9GkWiC7ghUU6kahbeF5BYGwHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Endangered_arctic_-_starving_polar_bear_edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2048" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9bzsNyc0UU/XyYnrbWHPcI/AAAAAAAAHEE/rjzZOJZp9GkWiC7ghUU6kahbeF5BYGwHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h340/Endangered_arctic_-_starving_polar_bear_edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><font face="courier"><br /></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><font face="courier">Arctic Melt<o:p></o:p></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">arctic ice melting<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">terminal global warming<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">polar bears drowning</font><font face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T95nuMR44b8/XyYpFJDEZAI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/Wegat2IJaMMch5d01QPIgZF3DiQNlrERQCLcBGAsYHQ/s880/road-hills-black-hills-south-dakota-highway-nature-landscape-hill-mountains.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="880" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T95nuMR44b8/XyYpFJDEZAI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/Wegat2IJaMMch5d01QPIgZF3DiQNlrERQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h341/road-hills-black-hills-south-dakota-highway-nature-landscape-hill-mountains.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><font face="courier"><br /></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><font face="courier">Spilogale<o:p></o:p></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">We spotted the skunk,<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">not striped, but spotted.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Slaughtered,<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">along the bi-longitudinal stripe<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">of an isolated<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Bennett County highway.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j8rnX9s2IY/XyYqK1jjGxI/AAAAAAAAHEc/76y4irFFokcZLs0PBOO8RMkhC_6i0RTBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/toad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1024" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j8rnX9s2IY/XyYqK1jjGxI/AAAAAAAAHEc/76y4irFFokcZLs0PBOO8RMkhC_6i0RTBACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h326/toad.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><font face="courier"><br /></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><font face="courier">Nocturnal Toad<o:p></o:p></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">elliptical eyes<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">evening entomologist<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">western spade-foot toad</font><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEBl3VNNRSE/XyYrEOfVHoI/AAAAAAAAHEk/5LRVWD7q32YdP6uxLvJbvuNYw7GWtEUyACLcBGAsYHQ/s616/616px-Insect_collage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="616" height="479" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEBl3VNNRSE/XyYrEOfVHoI/AAAAAAAAHEk/5LRVWD7q32YdP6uxLvJbvuNYw7GWtEUyACLcBGAsYHQ/w493-h479/616px-Insect_collage.png" width="493" /></a></div><font face="courier"><br /></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><font face="courier">Insecta-cipher<o:p></o:p></font></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">A</span></b>ntlion Aaron<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Always Ate Ants<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">After April.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">B</span></b>umblebee Bob<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Bombastically Buzzed,<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Beethoven’s Bagatelle.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">C</span></b>aterpillar Charlie<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Crocheted<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Cocoons.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">D</span></b>ragonfly Dan<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Dazzled<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Damselflies.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">E</span></b>rnie Earwig<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Eats<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Everything.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">F</span></b>irefly Freda<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Found<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Firefly Fred.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">G</span></b>rasshopper Gertrude<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Gobbled<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Green Grass.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">H</span></b>orsefly Harry<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Hiccupped<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Hysterically.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">I</span></b>cabod Ichneumon<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Ingested<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">India Ink.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">J</span></b>une-bug Julie<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Just Juggled<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Jelly Jars.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">K</span></b>atydid Kate<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Ketched Khaki<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Kinnikinick.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">L</span></b>acewing Lucy<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Loved Licorice<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">& Licked Lemon Lollipops.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">M</span></b>onarch Millie<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Munched<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Milkweed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">N</span></b>etwing Nellie<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Knitted Naughty Ned Nit’s<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Neon Knickers.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">O</span></b>wl-Fly Oliver<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Owned Ochre<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Optical Ocelli.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">P</span></b>aula Praying Mantis<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Politely Pickled<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Pedro Pea Weevil’s Pea.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">Q</span></b>uestion Mark Quentin<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Quizzically Quibbled<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Querying Querulous Queens.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">R</span></b>obber Fly Rob<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Ridiculously Rode<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Rhode Island Red Roosters.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">S</span></b>tink Bug Sam<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Stunk.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">T</span></b>ermite Tom Tasted<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Tsetse Fly Tillie’s<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Tangerine Turnovers.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">U</span></b>nderwing Ulysses<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Usually Umpires<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Under Umbrellas.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">V</span></b>elvet Ant Vickie<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Vacuumed<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Viceroy Vick’s Violin.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">W</span></b>yatt Wasp<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Watched Westerns.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">X</span></b>erces Butterfly Xerxes<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">X-rayed Xanthic<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Xenophobic Xiphosurans.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">Y</span></b>oung Yellow Jacket Yao<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Yo-yoed & Yodeled.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><o:p><font face="courier"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><b><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;">Z</span></b>ebra Swallowtail Zelda<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Zanily Zigzagged<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">& Zoomed.</font><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">Recently I was listening to Akale Wube, a French group that performs Ethiojazz. In 2020, I've been playing a lot of Ethiojazz on YouTube, and this group seems like it would be a good entry into this type of music.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">This song "Anbessa" features the late Manu Dibango: </font><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT6O4bDioAE"><font face="courier">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT6O4bDioAE</font></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">"Enken Yelelebesh" features vocalist Girma Beyene: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5AcjXPSX4Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5AcjXPSX4Q</a></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">"Jawa Jawa" is an instrumental piece: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1fYa2kpXu0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1fYa2kpXu0</a></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><font face="courier">"Ragale" sounds a bit French: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRZSHEc3wW4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRZSHEc3wW4</a></font></p></span></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-19645202893796934932020-07-29T19:40:00.021-07:002020-07-29T21:38:54.479-07:00An Evening with Michael Lee Johnson<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjEoMSp26b4/XyIyf6tioKI/AAAAAAAAHCU/ecRGcCZvQPIy1_uCTUjot9VztMDoJ1IOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s256/ChiefNobody.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="197" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjEoMSp26b4/XyIyf6tioKI/AAAAAAAAHCU/ecRGcCZvQPIy1_uCTUjot9VztMDoJ1IOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w246-h320/ChiefNobody.jpg" width="246" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tonight I'm posting a few more poems that Michael Lee Johnson sent me. These poems are a little more melancholy, a suitable mood for the end of summer--although, as one of my teachers has reminded me, this is summer. Let's make the most of it with some more poetry!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IScLCwqD64/XyI0QPsmiSI/AAAAAAAAHCg/OzQrHlRKffo4ayzUdg94mN8w_axyjGgAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/37441209024_999571ac2a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1024" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_IScLCwqD64/XyI0QPsmiSI/AAAAAAAAHCg/OzQrHlRKffo4ayzUdg94mN8w_axyjGgAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h251/37441209024_999571ac2a_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photograph by Bernard Spragg</span><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a><b><i><span>Dance of
Tears, Chief Nobody </span></i></b></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>By Michael
Lee Johnson</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I'm old Indian chief story</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>plastered
on white scattered sheets,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Caucasian
paper blowing in yesterday’s winds.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I feel
white man’s presence</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>in my
blindness</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>cross over
my ego my borders</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>urinates
over my pride, my boundaries</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I
cooperated with him until</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>death, my
blindness.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I’m
Blackfoot proud, mountain Chief.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I roam
southern Alberta,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>toenails
stretch to Montana,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>born on Old
Man River−</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>prairie
horse’s leftover </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>buffalo
meat in my dreams.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Eighty-seven
I lived in a cardboard shack.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>My native
dress lost, autistic babbling.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I pile up
worthless treaties, paper burn <a></a><a>white</a> man.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Now 94, I
prepare myself an ancient pilgrimage,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>back to
papoose, landscapes turned over.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I walk
through this death baby steps,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>no rush, no
fire, nor wind, hair tangled−</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>earth
possessions strapped to my back rawhide−</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>sun going
down, moon going up,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>witch hour
moonlight.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I’m old man
slow dying, Chief nobody.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>An empty
bottle of fire-water whiskey</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>lies on
homespun rug,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>cut excess
from life,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>partially
smoked homemade cigar</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>barely
burning,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>that dance
of tears.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>*Music Video
Credit: <span style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #0d0d0d;">Native American Indian Music - Sunset Ceremony- Earth Drums
02</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #0d0d0d;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #0d0d0d;"><a data-original-attrs="{"data-original-href":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtdYWcoYKWo"}" href="#">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtdYWcoYKWo</a><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">To hear Michael read this poem, please follow this link: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a data-original-attrs="{"data-original-href":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29jHXIlMGI"}" href="#">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29jHXIlMGI</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgOcGl2RBFk/XyI1i4W9RrI/AAAAAAAAHCs/sQTZP0nEtvgvyBkr1NGD283b7RhZFW3vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s332/MissingBirds4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="332" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgOcGl2RBFk/XyI1i4W9RrI/AAAAAAAAHCs/sQTZP0nEtvgvyBkr1NGD283b7RhZFW3vQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h241/MissingBirds4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span>Missing Feeding the Birds </span></i></b></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>By Michael Lee
Johnson</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Keeping my daily journal diary short</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>these sweet bird
sounds lost-</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>reviews January
through March.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Joy a dig deep snow
on top of my sorrows.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Skinny naked bones
sparrows these doves</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>beneath my balcony
window,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>lie lifeless
without tweet</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>no melody lost
their sounds.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>These few survivors
huddle in scruffy bushes. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Gone that plastic
outdoor kitchen bowl that held the seeds.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I drink dated milk,
distraught rehearse nightmares of childhood.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Sip Mogen David Concord
Wine with diet 7Up.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Down sweet molasses
and pancake butter.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I miss the feeding the birds, these condominiums regulations,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>callous neighbors
below me, Polish complaints.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Their parties, foul
language, Polish songs late at night,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>these Vodka mornings-no
one likes my feeding of birds.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I feel weak and
Jesus poor, starving, I can’t feed the birds.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I dry thoughts
merge day with night, ZzzQuil, seldom sleep.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Guilt I cover my
thoughts of empty shell spotted snow</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>these fragments,
bone parts and my prayers-</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Jesus dwelling in
my brain cells, dead birds outside.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I miss feeding
the birds.</span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A recording of Michael reading this poem is available on You Tube.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNF-uwIqys8/XyI2mDzTnRI/AAAAAAAAHC4/XlgTWOf89uQQe8gwf-vUX7dcMory_T1XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/OpenEyes3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNF-uwIqys8/XyI2mDzTnRI/AAAAAAAAHC4/XlgTWOf89uQQe8gwf-vUX7dcMory_T1XgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/OpenEyes3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span>Open Eyes
Laid Back</span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>By Michael Lee
Johnson</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Open eyes, black-eyed peas,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>laid back busy
lives,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>consuming our
hours,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>handheld devices </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>grocery store</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>“which can <span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Jolly Green Giant
peas,</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">alternatives,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>darling, to bring
home tonight-</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>these <span>aisle</span>s of decisions.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Mind gap:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>“Before long apps</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>will be wiping our
butts</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>and we, others, our
children</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>will not notice.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>No worries, outer
space,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>an app for
horoscope, astrology</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>a co-pilot to keep
our cold feet</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>tucked in.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To listen to Michael recite this poem, please go to this link: <a data-original-attrs="{"data-original-href":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDcrurNlpz8"}" href="#">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDcrurNlpz8</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWFrWBiqTPc/XyI3gvzBEEI/AAAAAAAAHDA/GHMGt6gH5Forv-WgbXVhYyMKiRs1Td-iQCLcBGAsYHQ/s520/IMG_0081-2-520x3901%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="520" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWFrWBiqTPc/XyI3gvzBEEI/AAAAAAAAHDA/GHMGt6gH5Forv-WgbXVhYyMKiRs1Td-iQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_0081-2-520x3901%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span><br /></span></i></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span>Tequila</span></i></b></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>By Michael Lee
Johnson</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Single life is Tequila with a slice of lime,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Shots offered by
traveling strangers.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Play them all deal
them jacks, some diamonds</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>then spades, hold
back aces play hardball,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>mock the jokers.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Paraplegic aging
tumblers toss rocks,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Their dice go for
the one-night stand.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Poltergeist fluid
define another frame.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Female dancers in
the corner</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Crooked smiles in
shadows.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Single ladies don’t
eat that tequila worm</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>dangle down the
real story beneath their belts.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Men bashful, yet
loud on sounds, but right times soft spoken.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Ladies men lack
caring verbs, traitors to your skin.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Ladies if you
really want the worm, Mescal,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>don’t be confused
after midnight.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Here is a recording of Michael reading "Tequila": <a data-original-attrs="{"data-original-href":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWdtVP3UekE"}" href="#">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWdtVP3UekE</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iyziwrciUI/XyI5R-TT-TI/AAAAAAAAHDM/b3yO4IemfLEzzJC2XFIwwIcEQOtllaePQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1056/MljUsejpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iyziwrciUI/XyI5R-TT-TI/AAAAAAAAHDM/b3yO4IemfLEzzJC2XFIwwIcEQOtllaePQCLcBGAsYHQ/w309-h400/MljUsejpg.jpg" width="309" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span></span></span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Michael Lee Johnson lived 10 years in Canada during the Vietnam era and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Today he is a poet, freelance writer, amateur photographer, and small business owner in Itasca, DuPage County, Illinois. Mr. Johnson published in more than 1072 new publications, his poems have appeared in 38 countries, he edits, publishes 10 poetry sites. Michael Lee Johnson, has been nominated for 2 Pushcart Prize awards poetry 2015/1 Best of the Net 2016/2 Best of the Net 2017, 2 Best of the Net 2018. 204 poetry videos are now on YouTube at POETRYMANUSA; Editor-in-chief poetry anthology, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze; editor-in-chief poetry anthology, Dandelion in a Vase of Roses; Editor-in-chief Warriors with Wings: the Best in Contemporary Poetry</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Lee-Johnson/e/B0055HTMBQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Michael-Lee-Johnson/e/<wbr></wbr>B0055HTMBQ%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_<wbr></wbr>rwt_scns_share</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Technically, it is tomorrow, so let's add a little music. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm posting Woody Shaw's "Rosewood": </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzSYLDLqDew&list=PLAHibYIS1Smf0Fg9kLtYYupKVUo8GpsHb">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzSYLDLqDew&list=PLAHibYIS1Smf0Fg9kLtYYupKVUo8GpsHb</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The other song is his "Theme for Maxine": </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CufYDAopGNA&list=PLAHibYIS1Smf0Fg9kLtYYupKVUo8GpsHb"><span style="font-size: x-large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CufYDAopGNA&list=PLAHibYIS1Smf0Fg9kLtYYupKVUo8GpsHb</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span></span></span></p></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-76082363422714941502020-07-25T20:31:00.008-07:002020-07-26T10:24:45.176-07:00Welcome to Michael Amitin from Paris!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6jLGpGAVX0/Xxz3eV96kcI/AAAAAAAAHAs/KyRhE_Cu21YKC-eMx3sK_j36wTqyefVzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/330391736_3664bbc36e_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6jLGpGAVX0/Xxz3eV96kcI/AAAAAAAAHAs/KyRhE_Cu21YKC-eMx3sK_j36wTqyefVzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/330391736_3664bbc36e_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photograph by Christophe Alary</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight we fly from Montreal to Paris with Michael Amitin's poems!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91FlcjDR_9w/Xxz4qJgb5ZI/AAAAAAAAHA4/PUo6IhaPrksm0KQNoF4QCYp8zx-Hx1kBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/View_of_the_Basilique_du_Sacre%25CC%2581-C%25C5%2593ur_from_Rue_Laffitte_at_dawn._Paris%252C_France.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1266" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91FlcjDR_9w/Xxz4qJgb5ZI/AAAAAAAAHA4/PUo6IhaPrksm0KQNoF4QCYp8zx-Hx1kBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/View_of_the_Basilique_du_Sacre%25CC%2581-C%25C5%2593ur_from_Rue_Laffitte_at_dawn._Paris%252C_France.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Marooned Bells</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Marooned on a couch brown raft -rocking lle-de-France </b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sullen blackboard jazz blowin from across the navy N’Awleans
seas</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Slo-mo angels doing somersaults on my torn red curtain
reverie </b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in these broken Halloween bones and mask</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I rummage through the ashes that crashed me into</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">this pink, new golden face dawn..</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">floating past jagged-edged icicles into the night melting </b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">chocolate Clark Terry’s “They Didn’t Believe Me.”</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Love lost is something we can never afford</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">head stuck on a starboard mast</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">crashing through storm waves painted in dead dreams </b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
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<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: times;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And feeling that familiar frost-bitten
regret again- that we never consummated the close quarters of then,,,what are
regrets other than dead sea gulls floating in a ghost soup sea</b></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5YbSdcPQVA/Xxz51HL3cZI/AAAAAAAAHBE/YH19rcMTf-Ulr85Ocz-u6nwQu7o-CMkQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cate%2Bblanchett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1161" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5YbSdcPQVA/Xxz51HL3cZI/AAAAAAAAHBE/YH19rcMTf-Ulr85Ocz-u6nwQu7o-CMkQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cate%2Bblanchett.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dylan has Blue Eyes</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dylan has
Blue Eyes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">blue as
acid rain above the iron mines</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">he stole
away in the steel toe, snowy night</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tangled up in a winter howl New York</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">blue parade - watchman cries like a wayward stork</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">collapsing in post-war wharfs of solitude </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">its all over now</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JFK bullets signed, sealed delivered</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dylan’d just arrived in town </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Escorting Jane thru after hour dark sour alley ways</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">creak-eyed ragtime forgotten stairs,,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">making love till daybreak in lonely whistlestop shadows </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">below the seedy swept windowpanes-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cinderella sweeps up night's sad confetti</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jane deep blue morning</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he's hopped a passing train</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to the next crumbling town</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hurling knaves to the boiler pot</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">on the tombstone heels of Jack K</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he carved his plot</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dylan has blue eyes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">seen Hurricane Carter do blasphemous time,, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emmett Till dug up from southern soup brines</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hattie Carroll, the deluge feral- bombers flying grease oil
nights,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">innocence chained in a Texas two-step charade</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">angels crying star spangled tears</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She hears the tracks rumble</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">left behind on anxious street, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">she awakens, lifts her finger to the wind</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">knows what direction he’s in, far from that </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">bluelight dream hotel</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ecRZWl5u4/Xxz66I4qaJI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/ok6eYAgDc2kTPf2FX84CUtIKL1dLlHUUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/charango-andean-stringed-instrument-music-musical-musician-charango-player.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="880" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ecRZWl5u4/Xxz66I4qaJI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/ok6eYAgDc2kTPf2FX84CUtIKL1dLlHUUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/charango-andean-stringed-instrument-music-musical-musician-charango-player.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Danse of the Exotic Bolivian Food Massacre</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And in that dream </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Spaniard playing charango-
leans over, turns on</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">a tape </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘spill your life’s purpose’</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">a half-pint remains</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">my lies shake the roof </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Caroline sashays </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">high on hoisting red flag-draped
trays</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">exotic bolivian food shades</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">streamers bouncing off her
marble-fine high- octane silken New York culture thighs</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a dark alley panic- thinking
I’d left behind my Mandolin</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Her matchstick lit me back
into flame</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">when I grew tired of counting
ashes </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">beige corduroy pantlegs
crossed in the woody smell</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the dank gallery Monmartre
nights</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTX2Ewl8E8M/Xxz7w7ovl1I/AAAAAAAAHBY/j59YCEz_qHQq5pJMHxtakleiVwN2TRXDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/marvin%2Bgaye.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTX2Ewl8E8M/Xxz7w7ovl1I/AAAAAAAAHBY/j59YCEz_qHQq5pJMHxtakleiVwN2TRXDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/marvin%2Bgaye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photograph by Elvert Barnes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><style>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marvin</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What’s goin’ on?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Manrique asks</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">he slides into the
ripped red passenger seat</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">my beaten up,
burgundy wine-stained Nissan</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fresh from a 7/11
twinkie run</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">he looks at me- pale
behind the wheel</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">drivers blaring </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">for us to hightail
our asses out of the</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">thin slice strip
mall parking space</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Marvin, man.. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Huh?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">MARVIN’S DEAD</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Marvin..just heard
it on the radio,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Marvin? Marvin Gaye?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">yeah</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">How?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">Filicide, man- his pentacostal
cross-dressing papa preacher </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">sprayed a bullet right through
Marvin’s gold record</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">broken chequered cocaine-stained
heart</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">golden voice over, here in ’84 </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">so young, tragic in the magic, why?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">so great</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">mercy, mercy me</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Poet, storyteller and musician, Michael D.
Amitin spent most of his life traveling the roads of the American West from
California- east through the smoky burgs and train depot diners of Western
Colorado, where he lived before moving to Paris.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">
Inspired by Yeats, Corso and Ginsberg, Amitin has recently been named </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">International Beat Poet Laureate 2020-2021. His</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> poems have been published in California
Quarterly, AbstractMagazineTV, Black Magnolias, Poetry Pacific, and others.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> A current
collaboration with Parisian photographer Julie Peiffer has given rise to the "Riverlights"
project, and a chapbook entitled ‘Riverlights.’</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc"><style>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">Let's finish up with some music, starting with the Clark Terry piece that Michael mentioned in his first poem..."They Didn't Believe Me": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG6gnP9Y_sc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG6gnP9Y_sc</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't find a video for the <span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tgc">Benoist Raffin Trio, so here is the Clover Trio with "Prayer to the Unfamiliar." Raffin is the drummer. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW7LqWOLj10">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW7LqWOLj10</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau play Dylan's "Scarlet Town" here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tgc">Here Marvin Gaye sings "What's Going On" at the 1980 Montreux Jazz Festival: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpGPBoS5nTE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpGPBoS5nTE</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank">
</a></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank">
</a></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEVnOgtJSY0&list=PL3nLxk67YqZlz8opJyMfuBc8T_wG41yIX&index=3&t=0s" target="_blank">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="tgc"> </span></span></a></span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-45348831471418340152020-07-21T19:19:00.001-07:002020-07-21T19:49:11.881-07:00Michael Lee Johnson Returns!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_ccag7SKRM/XxeghqZLjBI/AAAAAAAAG_0/fAGqKSCccfcMmBp0G_4XSQWI6AH9TF0QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/man%2Bin%2B70s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_ccag7SKRM/XxeghqZLjBI/AAAAAAAAG_0/fAGqKSCccfcMmBp0G_4XSQWI6AH9TF0QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/man%2Bin%2B70s.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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photograph by Ricardo Liberato</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight I'd like to post some poems and an interview that Michael Lee Johnson sent me a while back. Thank you for your patience, Michael. These are timeless poems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvYhPat1Hxo/XxehhHAZTGI/AAAAAAAAG_8/wjPQBx14u9klyJ-R-jvxwV8W20RpoJaDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1783/CrackerJackBoxPoem1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1783" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvYhPat1Hxo/XxehhHAZTGI/AAAAAAAAG_8/wjPQBx14u9klyJ-R-jvxwV8W20RpoJaDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CrackerJackBoxPoem1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Cracker
Jack Box Poem</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">By Michael Lee Johnson</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b>I</b>
don’t wear my pocket watch anymore</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">it reminds me of my age, 73, soon more,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">outdated gadget, time hanging where</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">moving parts below don’t belong nor work
anymore.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I don’t like to think about endings.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Age is a Cracker Jack box with no face, modern
speed dial,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">no toy inside, when it stops, no salute, just
pops.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Lesson: </span><span style="color: #333333;">"What young men want
to do all night takes older men all night to do."</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Michael's recitation of the above poem is below: </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEIJJYMznqA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEIJJYMznqA</span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sN3dJzZbC1U/XxeigwwxRdI/AAAAAAAAHAE/o30g6UsrlzQrm-qwAHWbWL9Hznxq5AgvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/SouthChicagoNight2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sN3dJzZbC1U/XxeigwwxRdI/AAAAAAAAHAE/o30g6UsrlzQrm-qwAHWbWL9Hznxq5AgvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SouthChicagoNight2.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">South
Chicago Night </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> By
Michael Lee Johnson</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">N</span></b><span style="color: black;">ight is drifters,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">sugar rats, street walkers, pickpockets, pimps,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">insects, </span><span style="color: black;">Lake Michigan</span><span style="color: black;"> perch,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">neon signs blinking half the bulbs</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">burned out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michael recites his poem here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCbY94YNguQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCbY94YNguQ </a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rufw0pVM1Qk/XxejmSxT2xI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/emf76aDRk3IMIheTmKMVJaP-fgQ1aCunQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/YoungCoupleGreasyGrill3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="261" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rufw0pVM1Qk/XxejmSxT2xI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/emf76aDRk3IMIheTmKMVJaP-fgQ1aCunQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/YoungCoupleGreasyGrill3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Young
Couple-</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">@
Heart Attack Greasy Grill</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b>I</b>
was a little boy,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">tad hillbilly son,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">patterned then in</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">present tense,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">hardly old enough</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">tall enough to work</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">nor notice if I had pubic hair-</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">large or small endowment</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">growing up self-conscious</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">about short comings</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">narrow chest.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Just a teen aged nighttime boy</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">looking 4 a part-time hook up-</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">little girl play, with a five-card stud.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Preacher daddy raised me,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">back-seat Christian boy</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">low on faith high on doobie</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">rolled cigarettes.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I took my 1<sup>st</sup> job, pancake flipper</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">@ Heart Attack–Greasy Grill, 24-7</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">pocket coins 4 tips, a few greasy dollars, </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">pancake short stack, secret menu was that</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">boss’s daughter, blood on hands,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">my bun busted now stale, stained, & baked.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Eliminate lines unessential:</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">waitress injected me some spice</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">old time recipe.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Listen to Michael recite his poem here:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SJjlphkOz8" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SJjlphkOz8 </a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUVjO3oHazs/Xxekdx2dOlI/AAAAAAAAHAY/xhaDp2XLm2sxy2FQPvuJSqCWVnV8gMp5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UnknownPoetNancy2%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUVjO3oHazs/Xxekdx2dOlI/AAAAAAAAHAY/xhaDp2XLm2sxy2FQPvuJSqCWVnV8gMp5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/UnknownPoetNancy2%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Unknown Poet from Rue Montpelier</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">By
Michael Lee Johnson</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><b>I</b> warned you darts with advice</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">strong words tripping over emotions</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">like an imbecile-</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">so you think you’re Leonard Cohen</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">loving some naked Nancy in a cluttered</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">matchbox apartment overlooking</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">European culture simulated, </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">above some obscure narrow</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Montreal street?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">For your information,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">straight poetics from insanities Almanac,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Leonard Cohen died years ago</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">in a twisted pickle poem he</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">entitled “Narcissism.”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Do you and your welfare lover</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">desire to be the 2<sup>nd</sup> generation,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">deceased, unnoticed, unheard of,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">unwarranted for failure artists</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">inside this thin, onion-skinned wall </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">dingy with your dreams?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I warned you darts with advice,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">tapering off with your impotence.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Michael recites the above poem here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PobAM7ktvrA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PobAM7ktvrA </a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Available Unpublished, Interview About Michael Lee Johnson,</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Editor, Publisher, Award Nominated Poet. Interviewee Bio at Bottom</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Em: </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="mailto:promomanusa@gmail.com">promomanusa@gmail.com</a></span><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">How young were you when you first realized you could be a poet?</span></i></b></span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">I</span></b><span style="color: black;"> started to write at 1967, 52 years ago I’m now
72.5 years old. I went into exile due to the Vietnam War era; then,
typewriters, no internet, type poems one by one (no photo copies),
international coupons, snail mail only, stamps, 6 month wait and 95 out of 100
never responded, much less made a comment about your poems-just a photocopied
rejection letter. So for many years I continued to write but didn’t send the
poems out. In 2007 with the advent of the internet I revised old poems and created
new poems and have now been published in 38 different countries.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Why should anyone read your poetry over the next ten poets?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">I </span></b><span style="color: #222222;">don’t worry about other poets or competition. I’m too old to give a damn @ 71.5 yrs. I proclaim believing in me. I don’t worry if there are too many groceries
stores or drug stores on the same corner, bring it on and come visit my small
shop I will stamp on you.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Is Dr. Seuss a legitimate poet?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">D</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">r. What? Dr. Who? He is
not even in my memory bank. Legacy is not necessarily determined by how many
housewives buy Dr. Seuss children’s book.
</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222;">Anapestic
tetrameter consists of four rhythmic units called </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapaest" title="Anapaest"><span lang="EN">anapests</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222;">, each composed of two weak syllables
followed by one strong syllable (the beat); often, the first weak syllable is
omitted, or an additional weak syllable is added at the end. Deception, do children give a damn? </span><span style="color: #222222;">I’m more impressed with children without thought who write the
loveliest poems naturally with images from their heart as children tend to do.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Is poetry better than it was 25 years ago? Explain!</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">W</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">ho really cares, time is justice to itself not us. What is what was then evaluated is in present
a waste of poetic time. Oh yes, review
and love but never get stuck there less you lived there in time.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">What is your single weakness as a writer?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">A</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">s a child 8-9 yrs. old I had a rare cancer disease bone cancer
in my legs. I was carried around on my
mother and father backs in pain, I rolled on the floor both legs in casts. I missed most of grades 1-3. So I missed grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. To this day</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">I listen to enunciation of words, look for new words that are primarily
action verbs, see how words are put together, pulled apart by syllables to hear
how they sound and why I’m mispronouncing them.
</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">If you could write a poem to your President, would he like it?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">A</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">t my age, 71 plus, I don’t much care about what the President
thinks much less write a poem to him.
Yes policies do affect my living patterns, my financial security to a
degree, and I certainly still have strong opinions about public and
international affairs, however, as long as he doesn’t step on my toes
personally, kick me out of the country, or screw too much with my mutual funds
who cares? I fought one war with
resistance, and acted upon it, one stance leaving this country against an
unjust war, Vietnam, is more social action in one act then most people will
perform in a lifetime. Now days I’m more
concerned about quiet, few phone called, allowing me time to work on my words.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Does poetry really change thought or is that just hype?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">T</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">his is the best question to pounder of all the other questions
above. I guess it depends on your
personal definition of purpose on this limited time on earth. We all carry a personal torch that burns,
when, how, motive you act upon it is the motivation rightly or wrongly. My cause and disgust ultimately was Vietnam
and exile, it took 10 years in exile to resolve the fundamental issue revolving
into a lifetime of left over feelings, rejection and acceptance for those
actions. Change is in your mind,
compulsion of desire for change are the actions and beliefs of others that have
influence on your patterns your dreams.
Does poetry really change thought or is it your actions resulting in the
power of those words that change thought and alter history, legacy?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">How long does it take you to write a poem?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">H</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">ow long does it take you to live your life or just one day of it
or even one hour? I have some poems on
first write that have stood the test of time, I have other poems with editorial
suggestions and my changes that have lead up to eight revision on one poem that
comes to mind. A poem can be stagnant or
ever evolving. I have a few box full of
old partial poems always there open for review or die on old yellow paper or
napkins from 10-35 years ago. Where do I
place time on these things? Life
chances, events unfold, social structure evolves so should poems but some
things remain where they were born to stay there with a smile of justice done
indeed. I have computer files and old
boxes full of what I call “starter poems.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Do you have a single favorite poem written by yourself?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">N</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">ow this is a bit of a
smart-ass question. I have around 500
completed poems, and hundreds of starter poems…and you want me to pick one
favorite poem out of all of life and its passages? If I was forced into a corner with my nose in
that corner, or someone squeezing my testicles sharp in pain I would have to
say a poem back in exile days may be my favorite. “<i>If I
Were Young Again”</i> is a symbolic poem and real experience of Michael Lee
Johnson while self-exiled in Alberta, Canada for 10 years resulting from the
Vietnam War. It can be found on YouTube
here: </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmnMyE78xCE&t=21s"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmnMyE78xCE&t=21s</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>If I Were Young Again </i></b>(V3)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Piecemeal summer dies:</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> long winter spreads its
blanket again.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> For ten years I have lived
in exile,</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> locked in this rickety
cabin, shoulders </i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> jostled up against open
Alberta sky</i>.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If I were young again, I’d sing of coolness of high </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">mountain snow flowers, sprinkle of night glow-blue meadows;</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I would dream and stretch slim fingers into distant nowhere, </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">yawn slowly over endless prairie miles. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The grassland is where in summer silence grows;</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in evening eagles spread their wings</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">dripping feathers like warm honey.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If I were young again, I’d eat pine cones, food of birds, </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">share meals with wild wolves;</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’d have as much dessert as I wanted, </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">reach out into blue sky, lick the clouds off my fingertips.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I’m not young anymore and my thoughts tormented </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">are raw, overworked, sharpened with misery </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from torture of war and childhood. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For ten years now I've lived locked in this unstable cabin,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i> inside rush of summer winds, </i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> outside air beaten dim with
snow.</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-1985-</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(R 11-12)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">In 50 words or less how do you give birth to a poem? How is it conceived and delivered?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">A</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> poem is a spirit that comes out of frustration or naturally if
drunk or looking at a loved willow tree in the summer wind thunder and rain. How do you deliver a baby poem in clinical
conditions like this without the nurses thinking you insane?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;">Would you work hard if you were published? What motivates you?</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">I </span></b><span style="color: #222222;">am published internationally in 38 countries and I do work hard
at it, so we have covered that part this question. I’m motivated my closings: social injustices gone wrong in turmoil,
marriages soured, dreams gone bad, flowers, birds eating seed, praying for what
I don’t know, having a belief that I will never understand it all or why I’m
her or you, when I can’t make sense of death of those younger than me or anyone
at all. Oh, motivation is when an editor
says I need your interview in 48 hours or less.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Would you write a more
profound poem on the beach or in the desert and why?</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">I</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> have written poems about both beaches and desert
territory. I seldom have lived near
either for any length of time being a Midwest person most of my life. A profound poem is more about who/or what
it’s about then where accept for the imagery so powerful behind the words.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">In your poetry career
have you ever written a verse for your mother? Give a line and explain.</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">had a
father of his generation, welder, boxer, coon fox hunter and it was seldom
good. He taught me to love nature though
he often killed it, a true oxymoron. My
mother was not perfect but she loved life and was a totally giving human
being. Often in exile she bailed me out
of financially, spoke about Jesus as my Father.
My father died at 69, my mother lived in Christ until 98.5 years. She had macular degeneration for 8-10 years
before she passed. She rode a stationary
bike blind for 45 minutes each day and wondered why? My response was “mom, if not riding that bike
you may have been gone years ago.” She
also walked blinded 16 times each day from one end of the hallway in her condo
to the other and back again, just feeling the walls on each side as she moved
down that path. Yes, I wrote on poem about my mother Edith and it’s full of
grammatical (dangling particles-whatever that is). Thankfully, poetry allows “screw ups” in
purpose of meaning. My mother’s favorite
song was ‘</span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I Come To The Garden Alone’…</span></i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWOKhGdUZY"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWOKhGdUZY</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span></span></h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span><b><i><span style="color: black;">Mother,
Edith, at 98 </span></i></b><span style="color: black;">(V4)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">By Michael Lee Johnson</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">E</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">dith,
in this nursing home you're</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">blind
with macular degeneration─</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
come to you with your blurry</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">eyes,
crystal sharp mind,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">your
countenance of grace─</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">as
yesterday's winds,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
have chosen to consume you</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and
take you away.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Oh,
Jesus, where did</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">you
disappear to,"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">she
murmured over and over again</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">in
a low voice</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">dripping
words</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">like
a leaking faucet:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 191.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Oh, there He is, my </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Angel
of the coming."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">On YouTube here: </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0x5K-qL9do"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0x5K-qL9do</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.65pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 184.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">If you has $200,000 to put in the
writing community, where would the first thousand dollars go?</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>T</b>his is the most difficult question of all the
above since who or whom I love are not organized-and likely I would be dead
unable to research unless Jesus has a computer in heaven or hell where ever I
end. But in poetry style it would go to
my members of my Facebook poetry groups selecting each member privately, to the
sites loving lonely pets at nearby shelters (cats and dogs), and to Carol
Marcus and my daughter Dawn to keep my legacy alive after I pass.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Bio:</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>M</b>ichael
Lee Johnson lived 10 years in Canada during the Vietnam era and is a dual
citizen of the United States and Canada.
Today he is a poet, freelance writer, amateur photographer, and small
business owner in Itasca, Illinois. Mr. Johnson published in more than
1092 new publications, his poems have appeared in 38 countries, he edits,
publishes 10 poetry sites. Michael
Lee Johnson, has been nominated for 2 Pushcart Prize awards poetry 2015/1 Best
of the Net 2016/2 Best of the Net 2017, 2 Best of the Net 2018.<b> </b>194<span style="color: #1d2129;">
poetry videos are now on YouTube </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/poetrymanusa/videos">https://www.youtube.com/user/poetrymanusa/videos</a><u><span style="color: #1f4e79;">. </span></u><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Editor-in-chief poetry anthology, <i>Moonlight Dreamers
of Yellow Haze</i>: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530456762"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530456762</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">; </span></u><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">editor-in-chief poetry anthology, <i>Dandelion in a Vase
of Roses </i>available here </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545352089" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545352089</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">.</span></u><span style="letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> E<span style="color: black;">ditor-in-chief <i>Warriors
with Wings: the Best in Contemporary Poetry</i>, </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1722130717" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1f4e79; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/1722130717</span></a><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Let's finish with a little music.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Father John Misty covers Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2fKAzEC_Fs" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2fKAzEC_Fs </a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">He also sings Cohen's "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTtOUlW6zyk" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTtOUlW6zyk </a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Cohen's son Adam and Lana Del Ray cover "Chelsea Hotel #2" here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI8gg-PextE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI8gg-PextE</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">I'll finish with Johnny Cash's version of "Bird on a Wire": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzAaxnVMB6E" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzAaxnVMB6E </a> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><style>
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Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-36070695802952564682020-07-17T19:52:00.002-07:002020-07-21T19:05:45.185-07:00Tonight's Poems from Ahmad Al-khatat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCQXFUP7Xbc/XxJdaJkRjTI/AAAAAAAAG-s/Euq0s9VvIZAmD7x4GO3JFFUoBH6pJLsZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/G._Caillebotte_-_Jeune_homme_a%25CC%2580_la_fene%25CC%2582tre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1095" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCQXFUP7Xbc/XxJdaJkRjTI/AAAAAAAAG-s/Euq0s9VvIZAmD7x4GO3JFFUoBH6pJLsZACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/G._Caillebotte_-_Jeune_homme_a%25CC%2580_la_fene%25CC%2582tre.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight's poems from Ahmad Al-khatat take a different turn. I am sure that you will enjoy them. It's always interesting to see a poet grow and develop.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Close the Book</span></b></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Ahmad Al-Khatat</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">It’s the time to close<br />
the book of negativity<br />
Stop flipping over the<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">pages of wasted years</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">and stand in front of</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">-waves of confidence</span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">It’s the time to close<br />
the book of remorse<br />
Start creating a place<br />
for satisfaction above<br />
-some dark thoughts<br />
of attempting suicides</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">It’s the time to close<br />
the book of long isolation<br />
I want to feel like I am loved<br />
to my country, back to my life<br />
Smile again without wearing an<br />
emotional smile that lasts forever</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Be Stronger</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Stronger than before<br />
I’m here under rainfall<br />
Getting stronger than<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">before, because of you</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Stronger than feelings<br />
I’m wiser, and faster than<br />
the curious heart breaker<br />
We’re stronger than love</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">You once made me happy<br />
I melted my heart into steel<br />
Just to always remember you<br />
Harder, better than memories</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Your friendship made me<br />
-stronger than the old times<br />
When I hear your voice alone<br />
I become stronger than death</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">No more castles and empires<br />
Together we are stronger than<br />
greater, higher than old figures<br />
You make the heart grow healthier</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">But the wind of your sweet scent<br />
-were stronger than a drunk soul<br />
Between us there is no intimacy<br />
we strongly keep on shining respect</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7oVKWOEvLU/XxJhWmdh2vI/AAAAAAAAG_E/r5ivZlKP2nUcAtXKiQy0BxRHM017dmPiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stylish-guy-boy-rooftop-black-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="910" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7oVKWOEvLU/XxJhWmdh2vI/AAAAAAAAG_E/r5ivZlKP2nUcAtXKiQy0BxRHM017dmPiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/stylish-guy-boy-rooftop-black-shirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">I Am Human</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">I am human<br />
from all races<br />
I am looking<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">for respect,</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">condition</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">-attitude</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">and good</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">behaviours</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">I am human<br />
dancing with<br />
no silky touch<br />
but on my own<br />
for no reason<br />
sometimes, I<br />
am trying to<br />
live like a human</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">My name is<br />
human being<br />
My age is the<br />
numbers of<br />
days of the<br />
dead fighter<br />
My soul is<br />
already taken</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Another human<br />
I once met her;<br />
she is the reason<br />
why the night is<br />
sad, no matter<br />
what I do aside<br />
from writing a<br />
poem or a song</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; line-height: 115%;">Can someone<br />
walk me home<br />
I am blind to<br />
trust strangers<br />
I am a silent<br />
human listening<br />
to dreamers talking<br />
to machine believers</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;">Ahmad
Al-Khatat was born in Baghdad, Iraq. His work has appeared in print and online
journals globally, and his poems have been translated into several languages. He has been
nominated for Best of the Net 2018. He is the author of The Bleeding Heart
Poet, Love On The War’s Frontline, Gas Chamber, Wounds from Iraq, Roofs of
Dreams, and The Grey Revolution. He lives in Montreal, Canada.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;">This time I'm going to post a few videos of Sonny Rollins from his album The Bridge. Let's start with the title song:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1doeIsl7utk&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=5&t=0s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1doeIsl7utk&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=5&t=0s </a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;">"Without a Song" actually appears to be the first cut on the album: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Mluu7eGZ0&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Mluu7eGZ0&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=1</a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span en-ca="" style="color: black;">I'll finish with a very familiar song, "God Bless the Child": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzL2b4oaDhg&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=5" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzL2b4oaDhg&list=PL0q2VleZJVEljT52xpNPlT2zyXvMNrvSA&index=5</a></span></b></span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style> </span>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-15011648308764426782020-07-13T20:12:00.001-07:002020-07-13T20:12:39.427-07:00Review of Ethan Goffman's Words for Things Left Unsaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vB9V2mjZgI0/Xw0ePobKDXI/AAAAAAAAG98/1JJT2Nl652U0hb6WH1u0ctWmn93H4fazACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/goffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vB9V2mjZgI0/Xw0ePobKDXI/AAAAAAAAG98/1JJT2Nl652U0hb6WH1u0ctWmn93H4fazACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/goffman.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">From time to time, I publish reviews of poetry books to draw attention to the good work that poets are doing. Tonight is one of these times.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Words for Things Left Unsaid</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">;
Ethan Goffman; Kelsay Books 2020.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Ethan Goffman</span><span lang="FR">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s debut collection
contains multitudes. His poems address the concerns of the human heart as well
as the concerns of the planet we share with other living creatures. Goffman sometimes
uses blunt, uncompromising language to convey his angst over a world which
seems to have gone terribly awry. referencing the myth of Eve</span><span lang="FR">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s primal temptation
in his opening poem, Goffman writes </span><span>“ </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">This bite of apple
/ this flight too close to the sun ... will be our doom.</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">But Goffman</span><span lang="FR">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s vision is not
entirely clouded with gloom; his voice can ring light with laughter and tremble
with tenderness.<span> </span>In the sequence </span><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The Book of Thelma</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, he imagines his
household cat as an incarnation of Vishnu, steps back to marvel at his own
fragile sense of triumph at managing to corral his pet and stuff<span> </span>her </span><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">squirming body /
into the cat carrier ... I / Judas Iscariot Goffman ....</span><span>” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In another poem in this cycle, he mourns the roadside death
of a cat resembling his beloved Thelma</span><span>” “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In life you had
been /<span> </span>sleek and black / a fleeting
shadow / glimpsed from the window</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, then takes the
living feline, Thelma, in his arms </span><span>— “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">her purring shakes
the air, shakes my heart</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">This poet brings a
sardonic light ever to ear on the foibles and pretensions of human animals,
himself included in that number. </span><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I am an
embarrassment to myself,</span><span>” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">he confesses,
explaining </span><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I am the guy in the
red shirt in every episode of Star Trek / who dies in the first scene or two</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.<span> </span>But look past the
self-effacement; there is a sweet reverence for life underlying this poet</span><span lang="FR">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s work. The brevity
of human existence plays out against a broad cosmic backdrop as Goffman rests
on a futon couch </span><span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">in this small room
we had built / for the child we never had</span><span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Open this book and
prepare to walk precarious paths beneath a panoply of stars.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span>• </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">W. Luther Jett</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> To order Ethan's book, please see this link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Words-Things-Unsaid-Ethan-Goffman/dp/1950462781">https://www.amazon.com/Words-Things-Unsaid-Ethan-Goffman/dp/1950462781</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">If you would like to review a book for The Song Is...especially recent books by Bill Cushing, Ann Christine Tabaka, Catfish McDaris, Ryan Quinn Flanagan, Ahmad Al-khatat, Bryn Fortey, Will Mayo, and others, please drop me a line at thesongis at gmail dot com. Thanks!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4HhSt-Yzro/U-JKf-7NbUI/AAAAAAAAAv0/t-GUkxA0DFMWjPdnnbEAtK3MJ-t_hy8lACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thelma%2Bon%2Bmay%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4HhSt-Yzro/U-JKf-7NbUI/AAAAAAAAAv0/t-GUkxA0DFMWjPdnnbEAtK3MJ-t_hy8lACPcBGAYYCw/s320/thelma%2Bon%2Bmay%2Bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Now let me play some music for you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll start with Jason Marsalis' "Bourbon Street Ain't Mardi Gras": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZKwBKxjLFI&list=PL8mErPgG9CPiShnZvyz7MMZdL9QpHh3M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZKwBKxjLFI&list=PL8mErPgG9CPiShnZvyz7MMZdL9QpHh3M</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">This is Marsalis' "21st Century Trad Band": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWyZJSCTBQ&list=PL8mErPgG9CPiShnZvyz7MMZdL9QpHh3M_" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWyZJSCTBQ&list=PL8mErPgG9CPiShnZvyz7MMZdL9QpHh3M_</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Here Jason plays drums while his brother Delfeayo plays trombone on "What a Wonderful World": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN--yTnS45Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN--yTnS45Q</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll finish with Jason's "Offbeat Personality": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt_ri_sIWWU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt_ri_sIWWU</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWyZJSCTBQ&list=PL8mErPgG9CPiShnZvyz7MMZdL9QpHh3M_" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-57975557000686958042020-07-09T17:37:00.004-07:002020-07-09T18:25:09.401-07:00Welcome to Mendes Biondo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFYYCpfKkHY/Xwe0lyvHGkI/AAAAAAAAG8c/jAgToyN0lrwpVCWQ8xwsu_5Bk0dNP1ZmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/butterfly.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFYYCpfKkHY/Xwe0lyvHGkI/AAAAAAAAG8c/jAgToyN0lrwpVCWQ8xwsu_5Bk0dNP1ZmACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/butterfly.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<font size="5"><span>Recently the Italian poet and publisher Mendes Biondo has joined my poetry group for its events on Zoom. Not only did he read at the open mic but he also participated in the workshop. I am thrilled to be publishing his poems from our May 30 workshop tonight. The first poem memorializes Leilani "Butterfly" Jordan, a 27 year old grocery clerk from Maryland. Her picture is above.</span><br />
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<font size="5"><span><i><br /></i></span></font></div><div><font size="5"><span><i><br /></i></span></font></div><div><font size="5"><span><i>Heavenly Flowers </i></span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>(to Leilani Johnson)</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>the flight of a butterfly</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>is a kind of beating</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>just a few can hear</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>it's a sad lament</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>the beginning of the end</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>the vibe of everything that dies too early</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>flowers are bringing the coffin made of dust</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><i>I see you </i>they said swinging</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span>for the last time with bright colors</span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div>
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<font size="5"><span><i>I see you</i> the mother of a butterfly</span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>is never able to say it </span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>to her children</span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>when fruits fall from branches</span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>the emptied tree will remember the butterfly</span></font></div>
<div>
<font size="5"><span>nearby a slow river of tears will flow</span></font></div>
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<tr class="acZ"><td class="gF gK"><font size="5"><br /></font></td><td class="gH bAk"><font size="5"><br /></font></td></tr>
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<span>See the link below for a story about Leilani: <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grocery-store-worker-leilani-jordan-died-coroanvirus-kept-working-wanted-to-help-people/" target="_blank">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grocery-store-worker-leilani-jordan-died-coroanvirus-kept-working-wanted-to-help-people/ </a><br /></span></font></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><font size="5"><span></span></font></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVSbq2toNjQ/Xwe3f-R-OBI/AAAAAAAAG8o/EDKN-VXVd4Mug-LATavbqkGqaXKPOVbTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/valentina%2Bblackhorse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="225" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVSbq2toNjQ/Xwe3f-R-OBI/AAAAAAAAG8o/EDKN-VXVd4Mug-LATavbqkGqaXKPOVbTACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/valentina%2Bblackhorse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<font size="5"><span>Twenty-eight year old Navajo activist and mother Valentina Blackhorse was the subject of Mendes' second poem from the workshop.</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
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</font><div>
<font size="5"><span><i>A Lullaby for Valentina</i></span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>(to Valentina Blackhorse)</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>a blackhorse on the hill </span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>a sad lament lost with the wind</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>people will play drums</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>they will stomp their feet</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>they will ask the anchestors</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>to tell them more about the next dusk</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>the sunset shining on rocks</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>a salamander blinked her eyes</span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span><i>she will come with the rain</i></span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span><i>and the earth will lull her</i></span></font></div><font size="5">
</font><div>
<font size="5"><span>then the salamander run away</span></font></div><font size="5">
<span>the moon was shining in the black sky</span><br />
<br />
</font><div><font size="5"><span>For more about Valentina, please see this story: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/05/03/849732465/remembering-navajo-nations-valentina-blackhorse-who-died-from-covid-at-28" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2020/05/03/849732465/remembering-navajo-nations-valentina-blackhorse-who-died-from-covid-at-28 </a><br /></span></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">Mendes also</font> <font size="5">sent the poems that he read at our open mic.</font></div><div><br /></div><div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><i></i></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFMdLxMcR-8/Xwe7gT5P_KI/AAAAAAAAG80/2Fjo0J-z3XIgvSUnobP3yP5332zXJoMrACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Lunar_Base-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="640" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFMdLxMcR-8/Xwe7gT5P_KI/AAAAAAAAG80/2Fjo0J-z3XIgvSUnobP3yP5332zXJoMrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Lunar_Base-1.jpg" width="483" /></a></i></font></div><font size="5"><i><span><br /></span></i></font><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><i><span><br /></span></i></font></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><i><span>Base Calling Moon</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span> </span></font></p><font size="5"></font><font size="5"><span></span></font><font size="5"><span>we</span></font><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>people
of a rock solid planet</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>are
still wearing fear masks</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>to
protect us from pain</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>to
save us from every day life</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>we</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>people
of a planet made of plastic</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>faces
are fighting for a smile</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>hidden
behind the blue</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>or
other colors</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>politics
is killing the colors</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>we</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>people
of shattered mirrors</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>we
forgot about Alice and the White rabbit</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>there's
a hole for every one of us</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>where
to hide</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>we</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>people
of <i>I-still-have-not-understood-what</i></span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>are
lost and alone</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>do
you have found your inner india?</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>do
you still run behind kites in that black sky?</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>do
you feel like us</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span>moon?</span></font></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"><span><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="5"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvuqwCw12Go/Xwe8VOxobzI/AAAAAAAAG88/V7FpWeOHC3cH7lsbvsi1a0VKgwicjXpdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s910/venice-italy-man-young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="910" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvuqwCw12Go/Xwe8VOxobzI/AAAAAAAAG88/V7FpWeOHC3cH7lsbvsi1a0VKgwicjXpdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/venice-italy-man-young.jpg" width="373" /></a></font></div><font size="5"><span><br /></span></font><p></p><font size="5">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span class="tlid-translation"><i><span lang="EN">Flourishing</span></i></span><span lang="EN"><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">how many days have passed</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">since the last time</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">we made love?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">spring has blossomed all around</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">now we see it behind a glass</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">with the breath that fogs the window</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">is it all a bad dream?</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the army takes the coffins away</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the weeping of the living suffocated by masks</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">do you remember our kisses</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">our warm caresses?</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">now there is the cold wind to rock nightmares</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">eyes are kneaded with fear</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the soul hid in quarantine</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">inside a palace of flesh and blood</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation"><i>where are
you going? don't you know it is forbidden?</i></span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">and the balconies become watchtowers</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">and we become prisoners</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">do you remember sweat after sex?</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">now I can't even tighten</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the hands of those I don't know</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the wind blows hard – they say it's the devil</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">but it smells like flowers and laundry</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">and the animals call their land back home</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">our lovely gazes – do you remember them?</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the time of the landing will come and everywhere</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">we will call it home sweet home again</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">don't fear the roll of the earth</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">we are sailing in a storm</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">now rest and dream about<span> </span>that night</span><br />
<br />
<span class="tlid-translation">the night when we will all return naked</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">to make love and to tell us stories</span><br />
<span class="tlid-translation">of the new sun that rises and warms our heart</span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="EN"><span class="tlid-translation"><br /></span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span lang="EN"></span></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="3"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryiKpsGR74k/Xwe-9Hb9s1I/AAAAAAAAG9Q/Yd9NQ6ePXAM5n3Gr0wXj27HCbtbwLBzswCLcBGAsYHQ/s275/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryiKpsGR74k/Xwe-9Hb9s1I/AAAAAAAAG9Q/Yd9NQ6ePXAM5n3Gr0wXj27HCbtbwLBzswCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/beach.jpg" width="329" /></a></font></div><font size="3"><span class="tlid-translation"><br /></span></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font size="3"><span lang="EN"><span class="tlid-translation"></span></span></font><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Big Mama Is Dancing On The Purple Tide</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">eyes of stone</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">people dying without the caress of a gaze</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hearts of plastic</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">beating a music no one wants to play</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hands closed</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">seeds won’t come from those fingers of cement</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">birds know we are alone </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">so they try to keep our moral up</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fishes are waiting for our holy bath</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">meanwhile they laugh silently</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">peace seems a lost island</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the one cartographers put on maps</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">just to make their work look different</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">just to drive sailors crazy</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a black woman</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">wide breasts full of ivory milk</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is smiling to her holy baby</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a lullaby in the air</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is the half-moon chilling the wind</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know you</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you’re the one who cried yesterday</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">when a little boat was shipping from the harbor</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">on a purple calm ocean</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you said</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">how beautiful</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and tears fell down</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">because all was so calm and chill</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">your heart found the path to peace island</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">no one was there to say</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ha ha you dumb boy</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you’re crying like a sissy girl</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the ocean tide grew</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">your flood brought a vein of gold into it</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">sun setting on the horizon</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I heard the wind blowing your voice</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I found the stairway to the great vibration</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you said</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and everything was in peace</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">for a moment</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">forever</span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></div><div><br /></div><div>-----------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div><font size="5">I'll start the music with Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_mSzscIhyg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_mSzscIhyg</a></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="5">The next song is Jonny Lipford's "Dancing Stardust," which he plays on a Native American flute: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dr9P3X--s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dr9P3X--s</a></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="5">This is Craig Chaquico's "Navajo Stars": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CimmgY74u8w">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CimmgY74u8w</a></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="5">As soon as I started playing Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa," I knew that I had heard it before! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0CeFX6E2yI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0CeFX6E2yI</a>. Dibango is among the musicians who have died of COVID-19. For more information about him, please see this link: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/03/24/820598340/afro-funk-saxophonist-manu-dibango-dies-of-covid-19">https://www.npr.org/2020/03/24/820598340/afro-funk-saxophonist-manu-dibango-dies-of-covid-19</a></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="5">"Soir au Village" is another of his songs: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2_Nq4u7Mg&list=PLOI5Qhp3BD0cJF5lPXu4ALSNdwdjus0Fr">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2_Nq4u7Mg&list=PLOI5Qhp3BD0cJF5lPXu4ALSNdwdjus0Fr</a></font><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-4426640736291580832020-07-06T18:32:00.002-07:002020-07-06T19:07:23.603-07:00Catching up with Ahmad Al-khatat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0zfWMZhNGg/XwPHohtlszI/AAAAAAAAG7k/w5wqGKJ0wkwqYfi5KKbmf2yOUq3KoikBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/young%2Bman%2Bwriting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0zfWMZhNGg/XwPHohtlszI/AAAAAAAAG7k/w5wqGKJ0wkwqYfi5KKbmf2yOUq3KoikBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/young%2Bman%2Bwriting.jpeg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Tonight the prolific young poet Ahmad Al-khatat has returned to The Song Is... He sings a different variation on the immigrant's song.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Cried on My Own</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I said a few<br />
silly jokes,<br />
people laughed at me</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I shared<br />
my pain,<br />
people judged me</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I tried to focus<br />
on my happiness,<br />
but I failed terribly</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I learned to<br />
write poetry<br />
and cried on my own</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XalKg3HoBHc/XwPJJnabknI/AAAAAAAAG7w/SuhT-T3u5mghLv4op1cI2Ctt0VC7DkJYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B1%25D8%25B3%25D8%25A9_%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D8%25B3%25D8%25AA%25D9%2586%25D8%25B5%25D8%25B1%25D9%258A%25D8%25A9_%25D9%2581%25D9%258A_%25D8%25A8%25D8%25BA%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF_%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XalKg3HoBHc/XwPJJnabknI/AAAAAAAAG7w/SuhT-T3u5mghLv4op1cI2Ctt0VC7DkJYACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B1%25D8%25B3%25D8%25A9_%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D8%25B3%25D8%25AA%25D9%2586%25D8%25B5%25D8%25B1%25D9%258A%25D8%25A9_%25D9%2581%25D9%258A_%25D8%25A8%25D8%25BA%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF_%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Write My Name</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">O Baghdad, write down my name<br />
on a list of young dead civilians<br />
being alive doesn't always mean<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">everything is alright with me</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I talk with tears falling on my
heart<br />
I listen with tears falling on my face<br />
I see with tears falling on my spirit<br />
my life has been worse than it seems</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">my shadow loses me whenever I
want<br />
to walk to the cemetery, only because<br />
I have missed my friends who are no<br />
longer around me; nor longer in this world</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">O Montreal, forgive me for my
weakness<br />
I am just tired of being strong for too long<br />
write my name on the waiting list of death<br />
So, I can sleep with my open wounds</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrYgN4uUAyU/XwPKCKSjKeI/AAAAAAAAG74/ybNSZ1AiR2AVaEO0Zk1WHSjdRRl6fTo8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1600px-Ahmed_Hassan_Al_Bakr_family_cemetery.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrYgN4uUAyU/XwPKCKSjKeI/AAAAAAAAG74/ybNSZ1AiR2AVaEO0Zk1WHSjdRRl6fTo8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1600px-Ahmed_Hassan_Al_Bakr_family_cemetery.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Sensitive</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The clouds are coming back<br />
With a seasonal race between<br />
the holy rain and my salty tears<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">creating a bridge to chase me away</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">only because I have been sensitive</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I am all alone under the drops of
rain<br />
singing my misery to a broken tree<br />
since we are broken, waiting on death<br />
people say that I should more open<br />
friends are just actors in my journey</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I'm thirty years and still cannot
stop crying<br />
thirty years filled with thorns of sorrows<br />
thirty years filled with worse decisions<br />
thirty years filled with bleeding wounds<br />
thirty years filled with pieces of broken dreams</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I walk behind the mirror hiding
my feelings<br />
I blindfold my sights from my sad emotions<br />
if love comes softly, why do I walk to the</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">cemetery, attending my life
funeral by myself<br />
just because I am sensitive and lost</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gB4WKFaw38/XwPLx-TeA0I/AAAAAAAAG8E/HhzgQV9e9EAxFU-_24xks17gnTomKJbkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/man%2Bat%2Bbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gB4WKFaw38/XwPLx-TeA0I/AAAAAAAAG8E/HhzgQV9e9EAxFU-_24xks17gnTomKJbkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/man%2Bat%2Bbridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><style>
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div.WordSection1
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">One Rusty Immigrant</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It's amazing how people act nowadays<br />
they talk, eat, and laugh as if they are drunk,<br />
they judge from listening to silly jokes</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I hurt you and you did not say a
single word<br />
then you hurt me deep in my veins and heart<br />
I cry a river of sorrows, or a cloud on a miserable day</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Your smile is my weakness, help
me to smile<br />
I'm one rusty immigrant, living and dying every day<br />
I smile, and my wounds open up deeply </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I have no hate because my country
hates me<br />
I have no black spots in my heart toward anyone<br />
only because I am dead from the moment I have</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">my Canadian citizenship, since
then people are<br />
wonderful with me, they ignore my thirst,<br />
they ignore my hunger, and if I die, they ignore me</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Yes, my problem is I love to
shine bright under<br />
the clouds of autumn, I also adore blooming as peace<br />
above by the moon and stars for all the kissing couples</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Here I am, alone drunk as hell
from today’s society<br />
feeling numb to continue walking towards my journey,<br />
I wish to sleep and never wake up again </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #1c1e21; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">Bio</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">Ahmad
Al-Khatat was born in Baghdad, Iraq. His work has appeared in print and online
journals globally and has poems translated into several languages. He has been
nominated for Best of the Net 2018. He is the author of The Bleeding Heart
Poet, Love On The War’s Frontline, Gas Chamber, Wounds from Iraq, and Roofs of
Dreams. He lives in Montreal, Canada.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">Since this bio is from last year, I think that I may have missed a chapbook or two from Ahmad!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">I am looking for the right young artists to pair with Ahmad's poems. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">Here the Felix Rossy Quartet performs "Incandescent" with Rita Payes on vocals: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ScS3_sgW4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ScS3_sgW4</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">On the cut above Davis Whitfield plays piano. In the video below he is playing the piano in "Medgar Evers' Blues": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4XDR_wm6EI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4XDR_wm6EI</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">This is an untitled video from the Josh Evans Quintet at Smalls. Do you recognize the song? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od03Onjsm84">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od03Onjsm84</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">This video of Evans with a (mostly) different quintet is a bit longer: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9MfL1MjJMs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9MfL1MjJMs</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></span></span></span>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-38907155239327920892020-07-02T18:43:00.001-07:002020-07-04T19:07:05.644-07:00Welcome Back to Toula Merkouris!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jrt-cTOoHQ/Xv6JrWDbUkI/AAAAAAAAG64/ZojJ7pP3QmsMtjvPUh8rvg_cS4b8s-o5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sherman-dip-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jrt-cTOoHQ/Xv6JrWDbUkI/AAAAAAAAG64/ZojJ7pP3QmsMtjvPUh8rvg_cS4b8s-o5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/sherman-dip-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toula Merkouris is a Canadian poet and children's author, and her poem for tonight helps us to consider the immigrant experience. It's funny that when I looked for a picture for tonight all I could find were images of the early 1900s!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The Immigrant Song</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">(my mother and your mother were washing
the clothes)</span></span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl stands plucking branches in the
wide expanse of the olive grove</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Gazing upwards she closes her eyes to the
heavens</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">And welcomes the unexpected breeze dancing
through her hair</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Cooling her sweat drenched brow and the
nape of her neck </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl knows that the wind wants to
trick her</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">That it</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Leaves behind a salty residue that no
amount of scrubbing can erase</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Soon</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Her once sun-kissed coppery tresses will
be gone forever</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl knows this and still she welcomes
the brief respite from a hellish day</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The wind rises, making the ruffles of her
newly gifted dress snap westward across her chest like a flag lying at
half-mast across her milk heavy bosom,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Testing her resolve</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Playing games</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Not meant for the weak of heart</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Dust swirls at her feet</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">She’s barefoot</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl looks down at the ebony fabric of
her</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Mourning gown </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">And thinks of how it was so hastily sewn
together by </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The same brown-spotted and slightly
gnarled fingers </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">That reached into her very core </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">And pulled into the world</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The mewling cries </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Of all her hungry children</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">She did remember to say thank you</span></span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">(my mother gave your mother a punch in the
nose)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl stands stretching up onto her
toes</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Straightening out the kinks that seem to
have taken up permanent residence in her spine</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">She does this whilst standing in the
cavernous belly of a stainless-steel beast</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Listening to the whir of</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Clicking needles;</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">A perfectly synchronized song of a
thousand nightingales masking the creaking of aching and porous bones</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">And the back and forth roll of a rocking
chair that’s been purposefully nailed to the floor</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl thinks</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">How nice it would have been </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">If their porthole had been left </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Slightly ajar</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Squinting up at harsh fluorescent lights</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl turns racoon eyes back to
plucking</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Errant threads off of cashmere sweaters
and</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Musing over the sound of </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Stamps on passports</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The punch of 4x6 rectangles bearing</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The ink-smudged letters of her name</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">(what color was the blood?)</span></span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Sits</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Hunched over needlework</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">With every surface of her two-bedroom
apartment properly encapsulated</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">By intricately woven doilies </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">In every shade of cream known to man</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl can </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Finally</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Turn her hands to</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Knitting capes</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">For her many granddaughters to wear</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Over red ruffled dresses</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">White knee-high socks</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Black Mary Janes polished to a high gloss</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The girl hopes that</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">One day</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">When her granddaughters look down</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Bored</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Queued up </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Near the nave of the church</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Mouths slightly agape</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Restless in their readiness</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">To receive their Holy Communion</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">They might catch reflections of the girl</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">As she once was:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Standing in the shadow</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Of a giant fleur-de-lis</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Clutching a maple leaf</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">To her heart</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Singing a litany </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Of what it means</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">To run</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Headlong</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Into the winds</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Of change.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span><style><font size="5"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
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{page:WordSection1;}</span></font></style><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KP33zL2pbhg/Xv6NGJErvxI/AAAAAAAAG7E/ZL1Y3tT1RiYlBgCHDdo2t84729SU8WXQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Greek_american_Migrant_-_late_19th--20th_century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="523" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KP33zL2pbhg/Xv6NGJErvxI/AAAAAAAAG7E/ZL1Y3tT1RiYlBgCHDdo2t84729SU8WXQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Greek_american_Migrant_-_late_19th--20th_century.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To finish up tonight, I'll include some music by people who emigrated to the US or Canada from other countries. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's start with Pacquito D'Rivera who defected from Cuba. With his Panamericana Ensemble, he is playing "Panamericana": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSP7wS0RUgU&list=PLSY_UEF1AotibAEKgG8OKwBx8zg25vUmo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSP7wS0RUgU&list=PLSY_UEF1AotibAEKgG8OKwBx8zg25vUmo</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An immigrant from Panama, Danilo Perez plays "Expedition" with his Global Messengers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3aS66lANM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG3aS66lANM</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As he informs us, "</span><span style="font-size: large;">The inspiration for this piece is the story of the arrival of the African, Middle Eastern, and European cultures to America."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hugh Masekela came to us from South Africa. Here is his "Thuma Mina": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4qTegItvjM&list=PLzlacxg0nSoKdX7CHMx6R6MAyAmFMFBoD">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4qTegItvjM&list=PLzlacxg0nSoKdX7CHMx6R6MAyAmFMFBoD</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Born in what is now the Czech Republic, bassist George Mraz worked with Oscar Peterson. Here they play. "Stella by Starlight": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au9DrtKLEpU" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au9DrtKLEpU </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jim Galloway emigrated to Canada from Scotland. Here is his version of "Bourbon Street Parade": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHkRlvuMoQ" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHkRlvuMoQ </a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><style>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style> </span></span>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-84599567776784844022020-06-29T18:23:00.004-07:002020-06-29T21:33:51.891-07:00Poetry by Tad Richards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVfnvPAKvzs/XvqR2Rwrt4I/AAAAAAAAG5U/CRqZvphpRYMVlawQhLNLdyM7U2CAyaGPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ASteinert.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1084" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVfnvPAKvzs/XvqR2Rwrt4I/AAAAAAAAG5U/CRqZvphpRYMVlawQhLNLdyM7U2CAyaGPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ASteinert.jpg" width="270" /></a></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
I'm going to let Tad tell us about the picture above and his first poem
below:<br />
<br />
"There's a story that goes with this, and a picture. The picture is a portrait
of Alexander Steinert by my grandfather, Frank Perley Fairbanks. Frank was a
winner of the Prix de Rome, and a chancellor of the American Academy of Arts
in Rome, and this is one of a series of portraits he did of his fellow Prix de
Rome winners in the 1920s and 30s.<br /> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Alexander Steinert was from the Steinway family, and he studied with Ravel.
His career may not have gone exactly the way he had planned it, but he made
a successful living writing music, and my guess is that if we were to see
"The Devil Bat's Daughter," we'd find that it was pretty good music."</span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times";"> </span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">CAREER TRAJECTORY</span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Alexander Steinert</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">winner of</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">the Prix de Rome</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">for composition</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in 1931</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">now described</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">even by the</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Academy as</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">“largely forgotten” still</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">found himself</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in Hollywood</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">played the role of a</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">symphony orchestra</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">conductor</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in Too Young to</span></span>
</div>
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Kiss with Van Johnson</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">conducted the soundtrack</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">for Bambi</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">and composed the</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">original score</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">for Strangler of the Swamp</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">The Unknown</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Blondie Knows Best</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Target for Today</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">The Devil Bat’s Daughter</span></span>
</div>
</div>
<style>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"> <span name="City"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"><br /></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"> </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"><br /></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"> </span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrwkHFYJogY/XvqTy70A-vI/AAAAAAAAG5g/nz015CtOOSoC7Nvkg3a3tjxwBJv7FVtYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fashion-person-hands-woman-wallpaper-preview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="970" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrwkHFYJogY/XvqTy70A-vI/AAAAAAAAG5g/nz015CtOOSoC7Nvkg3a3tjxwBJv7FVtYACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fashion-person-hands-woman-wallpaper-preview.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"> </span></span></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"><br /></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span name="place"><span name="City"> </span></span>
</span>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">STORIES</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">But all stories are</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">lies and few</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">if any have a point</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">and if they do</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">best not to trust them</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">take this one</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">with its half dressed woman</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in the second</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">stanza offering</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">untold bliss</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">or the grime caked miser</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">who promises</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">mention in his will</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">for morphine</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">he’s in the third stanza</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">by the fourth you</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">you start to question</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">his motives</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">her fictive complaisance</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">you’re better off</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">listening to a</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">solo by</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Dizzy Gillespie or</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Charlie Parker</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">there’s truth in no words</span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l6YUXPOzQc/XvqVE4oI4_I/AAAAAAAAG50/x7ImhcQvUxMX4YvFtinql9zB4cAx0njswCK4BGAsYHg/s910/dancer-urban-landscape-night-dance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="910" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5l6YUXPOzQc/XvqVE4oI4_I/AAAAAAAAG50/x7ImhcQvUxMX4YvFtinql9zB4cAx0njswCK4BGAsYHg/s320/dancer-urban-landscape-night-dance.jpg" width="396" /></a></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-family: "century schoolbook", serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">THE DANCER AND THE TREE</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">The dancer:</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Teach me the truth of stillness. Let me know</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Xylem and phloem coursing from my roots,</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Let me feel spring with new-curled leaves and shoots,</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Band me with rings to mark each year I grow.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">The tree:</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Show me the way to freedom from the cruel</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Strictures of nature: when the wind blows west</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">To east, let me bend east to west, to rule</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">My destiny, choose when to move or rest.</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">You may remember the next poem from the last time Tad
appeared at The Song Is...</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><style>
<font size="5"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia", serif;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 249, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">CHOOSING SECURITY</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">George Wallington played</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in Dizzy's first bebop</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">combo on 52nd Street</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">in 1960 he gave</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">up jazz, went home</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">to Florida, joined</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">the family business</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">installing</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">air conditioners. Wendell</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Marshall played with Ellington,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Coleman Hawkins,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Milt Jackson, Gerry</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Mulligan, gave it up,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">went back to St.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Louis, started his own</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">insurance agency. Teddy</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Charles played swing,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">played bebop, played</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">the far out stuff,</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">played with Miles, with</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Mingus, with Wardell</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Gray, gave it up</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">to get his captain's papers,</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">skipper a charter</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">skipjack on Long Island</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">Sound, in the Caribbean.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;">I’d go for that.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times", "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRKObXTMi7k/XvqWGTwbA5I/AAAAAAAAG6M/X2reEGZQBYoPwMqKnIZzStfWfmHrvr67ACK4BGAsYHg/s1600/Teddy_Charles.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRKObXTMi7k/XvqWGTwbA5I/AAAAAAAAG6M/X2reEGZQBYoPwMqKnIZzStfWfmHrvr67ACK4BGAsYHg/s320/Teddy_Charles.JPG" width="346" /></a>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The picture above is of Teddy Charles at the Iridium jazz club in
2008. In that year, his last two albums were released.</span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a hard time finding a YouTube video with Alexander Steinert's
music. This nearly thirteen minute video includes his Danse
exotique:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhDAnkisis" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhDAnkisis</a></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The sound is terrible, but it gives you an idea of what the
soundtrack of The Devil Bat's Daughter was like:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPhehCD3LjM" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPhehCD3LjM</a></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Steinert conducted the orchestra in the 1942 film Bambi:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMna-WSfuDM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMna-WSfuDM</a></span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll finish with some videos of Teddy Charles. The first is
"Laura," a song that he did with his quartet. The bass player
was Charles Mingus:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMPj5zLjGck" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMPj5zLjGck</a></span>
</div>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The other is "Jay Walkin'," again with Mingus on bass:</span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFg8s3hVUTk" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFg8s3hVUTk</span></a>
</div>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This version of "Night in Tunisia" is from Charles' 2008 album with
the Walter Wolff Trio:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0p-WJB2Ke4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0p-WJB2Ke4</a></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia", serif;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 249, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"></span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span>
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Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-74970883855893459912020-06-26T18:53:00.002-07:002020-06-26T18:53:37.961-07:00Words by Shanti Harjani Williams and Images by Carl Scharwath<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XE9ACCDmhaM/XvaiN5VvPeI/AAAAAAAAG30/AaiiKeBIEGYsKxZe1y8ol555PxgEIBiowCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Beating%2BHeart%2BCollaboration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="447" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XE9ACCDmhaM/XvaiN5VvPeI/AAAAAAAAG30/AaiiKeBIEGYsKxZe1y8ol555PxgEIBiowCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Beating%2BHeart%2BCollaboration.jpg" width="251" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font size="5">Tonight I would like to share with you poet Shanti Harjani Williams and visual artist Carl Scharwath's collaboration. The mixed media piece above is Carl's work, and the poem below is Shanti's response to it.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><u><span style="color: #1c1e21;">Beating heart</span></u></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><u><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></font></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><u><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></font><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21;">Her heart is held in never
ending corridors</span></font><br /></p><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"></span></font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21;">
That wind up like a grandfather clock<br />
Imposing entry and psychedelic interludes<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Spinning a turntable on its head</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Walk this way and focus on the vision</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Nakedness breathes through beckoning bodice</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Not far enough away</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The heart lies hidden well beyond the entrance
hallway</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">But resist the impulse to look</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">But find the night well into itself</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">With claws that dig throughout the day</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Move the upper chamber and kiss between the walls</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Centre aisle gets you a good view of her twisted
beauty</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You die quickly with her loving you </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">And salvation comes early..</span></span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;">(c) Shanti Harjani Williams 2019<br />
Oil painting by </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/carl.scharwath?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARDwWkmjEzgifRUXG6K1nhSwOnu0v1ID7omJlttg8Bwt0GXjcomnzb0oEFDlLggHMu9wZXCn_KjZrGN7&fref=mentions" title="Carl Scharwath"><span style="color: #385898; font-family: "inherit", serif;">Carl Scharwath</span></a></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;"> (woman painted, double exposed with photography)</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;"> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;">Last weekend my husband and I listened to a fabulous streaming concert with Warren Wolf, Sean Jones, and others. Here is their last song, Woody Shaw's "To Kill a Brick": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDgBE37MMEw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDgBE37MMEw </a><br /></span></font></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;"><br /></span></font></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;">I'll also include their version of Bobby Hutcheson's "Theme from Blow Up": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERg1e1Jqe7I" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERg1e1Jqe7I</a><br /></span></font></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;"><br /></span></font></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><font size="5"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "inherit", serif;">Enjoy! <br /></span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><style><font size="5">
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</font></style><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XE9ACCDmhaM/XvaiN5VvPeI/AAAAAAAAG30/AaiiKeBIEGYsKxZe1y8ol555PxgEIBiowCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Beating%2BHeart%2BCollaboration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></font></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-35760425292599116672020-06-23T12:44:00.002-07:002020-06-23T12:58:30.679-07:00A Visit from Ryan Quinn Flanagan<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsWDnEmBsx0/XvJS318dCHI/AAAAAAAAGz8/hYUiTEgPRPsWdJomoMNhj0mVdfhMyqRRACK4BGAsYHg/s2560/ottawa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsWDnEmBsx0/XvJS318dCHI/AAAAAAAAGz8/hYUiTEgPRPsWdJomoMNhj0mVdfhMyqRRACK4BGAsYHg/s320/ottawa.JPG" width="278" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font size="5">This afternoon I'd like to post some poems from Ryan Quinn Flanagan. If you follow poetry, you may have seen his poems at Under the Bleachers, 1870, Chiron Review, and other places. You may even have seen that he has a few books out right now. If you haven't, what have you been waiting for?!?</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">The Tail</span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Rasmussen was
supposed to report </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">back each week.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">To tail the target
to dinners and meetings.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">To take pictures
and jot down notes,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">names of the faces
if he could get them.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The file kept
expanding until new files </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">had to be opened
on the others</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and who they were
meeting.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Soon, Rasmussen
felt he was being watched.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He could not prove
it any more than his target could. </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">There was a dire
threat to the country,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Rasmussen was sure
of that.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He just hoped no
one was trying to prove it was him.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The target seemed
oblivious, but Rasmussen could no longer</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">be certain of
that.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Perhaps this was
all an elaborate ruse to net him.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He could feel his
throat closing and he </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">didn’t know why.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">A tiny sound came
from down the alley</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and Rasmussen
turned to find a cat.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He couldn’t be
sure how long it had </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">been watching him.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Its tail hooked
like the end of a life-saving pole </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">at the public
pool.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Those tiny eyes of
murder </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">betraying nothing.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9eTaHK-qHks/XvJVesOlsLI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/iyrddMLLAEEu9gdJ_vB2zq9UNMYt0sY4wCK4BGAsYHg/s1200/Crowd_at_Elliot_Lake_Airport_Dragway.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1200" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9eTaHK-qHks/XvJVesOlsLI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/iyrddMLLAEEu9gdJ_vB2zq9UNMYt0sY4wCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Crowd_at_Elliot_Lake_Airport_Dragway.JPG" width="399" /></a></font></div><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font size="5"><span lang="">
</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">Pretending to be an Airport </span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The local airport
is not really an airport at all.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">There is a single
landing strip which the rednecks </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">use for the drag
races each summer.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">There are folding
bleachers setup for the crowds</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">which can just
fold back in when the airport</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">is back to
pretending to be an airport.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">No one ever takes
off or lands from there.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Just a single
orange grounded helicopter in case of emergency.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">And one building
that is always closed.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">No one works there,
but come racing season</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">the bleachers are
packed.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Cut right out of
the Canadian wilderness.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Grease monkeys
running around with wrenches.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Racing helmets
with tinted visors for all the drivers.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">A place to
tailgate and four outhouses</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">brought in for the
occasion.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8c9neErp3E/XvJW-3uY9gI/AAAAAAAAG1E/cFcp_v4CVJc-oGfMGWo0VNEGHrXdgMUawCK4BGAsYHg/s1920/woman-403633_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1529" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8c9neErp3E/XvJW-3uY9gI/AAAAAAAAG1E/cFcp_v4CVJc-oGfMGWo0VNEGHrXdgMUawCK4BGAsYHg/s320/woman-403633_1920.jpg" /></a></div><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><style>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-family: "calibri", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Photograph by Theresa Otera</span></i></b><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break;" /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-family: "calibri", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></i></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">Any Turn of the Soil Left to
You</span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">I have these
gallant-less earthworm weapons buried everywhere</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">so that you are
probably walking over a few of them as she speaks to you</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">on matters of
etiquette and you wonder who will win the World Series –</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">the converted
doomsday silo idiots are down here too</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and as much as I
don’t wish to share real-estate with a raving </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">beard of bees,
necessity dictates a certain measure of closeness </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">approaching a near
hug or moaning love bug dalliance so the planets can</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">feel good about
being rocks</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><span> </span>is it half-true that your hubby is
legally blind </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font size="5"><span lang="">from the waist down?</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><span> </span>any turn of the soil left to you I guess and
you who always </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">thought yourself a
city girl; if you couldn’t have quiet at least</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">you had options
which are simply weapons of choice in the maniacal</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">industrial complex
or something a little less alarmist if your </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">devilish
sensibilities read dirty books before bed</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><span> </span>(I have never understood the cinder
blocks of sadism,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><span> </span>perhaps I am infertile and idiot
children are beyond me)</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">I am better
prepared than the combined fire departments of the next</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">three counties
which means I have assured myself of the uninsurable </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and that gentleman
callers in the Freudian sense will dig through </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">dumpsters of junk
science to find something to throw up </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">in front of your
face that is not a mirror.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOlRSuV_J4/XvJZMw2KYCI/AAAAAAAAG1k/hNgFRNSVeSUjAg0_kHai7vqMhO5TDAMsACK4BGAsYHg/s800/woman-laughing-near-white-wall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="800" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOlRSuV_J4/XvJZMw2KYCI/AAAAAAAAG1k/hNgFRNSVeSUjAg0_kHai7vqMhO5TDAMsACK4BGAsYHg/s320/woman-laughing-near-white-wall.jpg" width="384" /></a></font></div><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font size="5"><span lang="">
</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">New Daily Phishing Scam</span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">My wife opens up
her email and laughs.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The daily phishing
scams are getting more inventive </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">all the time.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The one this
morning read:</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">Dear Influential Individual…</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and suggested that
joining the Illuminati </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">for a limited time
would be a great way</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">to make money.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">I like that the Is in both Influential and Individual </span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">are capitalized, </span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">I say.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">Shows you just how Important and Influential </span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">you are.</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">My wife laughs</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and tells me the
address is:</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">info@illuminati.org.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">How official</span></i><span lang="">, I say.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">You’d think if I was so Influential that I would</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">already be part of the
Illuminati, wouldn’t you?<span> </span></span></i><span lang=""></span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">she asks.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">Well, it sounds legit and we could use the money,</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">so you better go ahead and sign up,</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">I say.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">I’ll get right on that,</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">she says.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">And then she is
off to the kitchen to make her coffee.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">It is nice to have
a good laugh in the morning.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">The phishing scam
people did us real solid </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">this morning.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F7_Cy-kH4w/XvJbBvaa5GI/AAAAAAAAG2A/TlIjmI9u8HAIZWy4s8sPKWKMFotrfwGsgCK4BGAsYHg/s500/watch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F7_Cy-kH4w/XvJbBvaa5GI/AAAAAAAAG2A/TlIjmI9u8HAIZWy4s8sPKWKMFotrfwGsgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/watch.jpg" width="320" /></a></font></div><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font><p></p>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-family: "calibri", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></i></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-family: "calibri", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></i></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">Wristwatch</span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He wants to know
if anyone </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">has seen his
watch,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">but no one pays
attention.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He feels the naked
sun line along his wrist</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">where his watch
should be,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">gets down on all
fours to search </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">under chairs.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">A man under the
table is licking the carpet</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and quickly swats
him away.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Tells him he will
ruin it for everyone</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He stands up and
asks again</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">if anyone has seen
his watch.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Nobody even looks
at him.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">They just keep
drinking and laughing</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">He dig into the
punchbowl for his watch</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and comes up with
lemons.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Sliced nice and
thin </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">with a knife </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and probably not </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">a watch.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yY42941hYTw/XvJbpIFVCTI/AAAAAAAAG2U/WfmpEQZO76UiU-qh7LE0lDF6m-DxBxnmgCK4BGAsYHg/s1024/4594081950_c1e5febd16_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yY42941hYTw/XvJbpIFVCTI/AAAAAAAAG2U/WfmpEQZO76UiU-qh7LE0lDF6m-DxBxnmgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/4594081950_c1e5febd16_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></font></div><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font size="5"><span lang="">
</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><b><i><span lang="">Don’t Ever Call A Chipmunk
Squirrely </span></i></b></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">They are already
crazy </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and on edge</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and then you throw
shade their way</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">by implying they
are a lowly squirrel,</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">their largest competition
for nuts.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">Don’t ever call a chipmunk squirrely,</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><i><span lang="">just don’t!</span></i></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">You will see their
tails rise up </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">as they charge
down the fence line </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">towards you. </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">They are seriously
unhinged</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">and now you have
given them a reason.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">They will start to
appear in numbers.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">As word travels
about this latest </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">affront to all
Chipmunkdom.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""> </span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">Then you have a
problem.</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">And all the
squirrels in the world</span></font></p><font size="5">
</font><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">won’t help you.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">-------------------------------<br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">With this last poem, I have to play a version of "Nutville." This one is by the Central Washington University Jazz Band: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx0oXDsIQoI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx0oXDsIQoI</a><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">This is their version of "A Little Minor Booze": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN0_U3fImmA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN0_U3fImmA</a><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">"Wide Open Spaces" goes with "Pretending to be an Airport": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuusxIL1DcQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuusxIL1DcQ</a><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang=""><br /></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="5"><span lang="">I'll finish with their version of "Rhythm-a-Ning": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xMcHp8Oh_U" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xMcHp8Oh_U</a><br /></span></font></p>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style></div>Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861808441345669757.post-45092640045962693382020-06-18T15:00:00.006-07:002020-06-23T12:04:35.391-07:00Catching up with Ann Christine Tabaka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLg8n7TJblc/XuuK-cZGYpI/AAAAAAAAGyg/sky0-yquspgeDevFOzt4jKeUxXXeHtuLQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/girlfriends-sea-chat-talk-together-friendship-headscarf-friends-human.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="880" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLg8n7TJblc/XuuK-cZGYpI/AAAAAAAAGyg/sky0-yquspgeDevFOzt4jKeUxXXeHtuLQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/girlfriends-sea-chat-talk-together-friendship-headscarf-friends-human.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Today let's catch up with Ann Christine Tabaka, an accomplished poet from Delaware. These poems have been published elsewhere, but I am always happy to republish wonderful poetry. Just be sure to note where the poems originally appeared as Christine does. Also, she provided links to the Poets Lounge's readings of her poems. They are below each poem.</span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Dust to Dust</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Apple
pie mornings,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">childhood
scraped knee,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">take
me away again.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Words
spoken in secret</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to
ears that won’t hear</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">rattle
around in the wind.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Once
upon a times </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">don’t
exist anymore,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">the
universe swallowed them whole.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Hand
held friendships</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">hopscotch
off,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">chalk
washed clean with tears.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Distant
moves,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">letters
few, then none.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Woeful
news arrives.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Missed
laughter,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">tucked
beneath the earth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Another
venerable sidekick </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">dances
with the dust. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">* Published by <i>The Pangolin Review</i>, April 2019</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrPuA8chIHU" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrPuA8chIHU</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q7N0ee2qYA/XuuNlkmQUQI/AAAAAAAAGys/fPHjpsY7xTQ-uE8ZzDXWze7t5nisRhgNgCK4BGAsYHg/s1024/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1024" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q7N0ee2qYA/XuuNlkmQUQI/AAAAAAAAGys/fPHjpsY7xTQ-uE8ZzDXWze7t5nisRhgNgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/waterfall.jpg" width="462" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Photograph by NC Department of Transportation</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Living Water</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Water
…</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Cool,
refreshing, life sustaining.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Absent,
all breath perishes. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
river that flows down to the sea</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">is
born in the mountains high.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
marriage of snow-melt and rain,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">an
ancient love story of myth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Trickling,
sparkling, growing,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">pregnant
with life, a union for all ages. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Moisture
laden clouds bestow</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">their
gift upon the earth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">All
that is living sing praise</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to
waters from above. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Enduring
journey over rocks and pain,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">continuing
to the sandy shores of time.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Reflecting
all that was before </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">and
all there is to be. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Rain
…</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
soothing, melodic patter,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">or
a devastating downpour.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Both
blessing and bane.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Yet
we cannot live without it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Water
…</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
reminder of where we came from,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">and
where we are to end. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Prismed
droplets, a rainbow’s tribute </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">upon
the thirsty earth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">* Published by <i>Voice of Eve,</i> March 2019</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJuGWCSAZVw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJuGWCSAZVw</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjJvZelv5Us/XuuOuG1i94I/AAAAAAAAGy4/WoWVOnLklFI_DPlMrArlIkwJ6mz_TpLfwCK4BGAsYHg/s275/drought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjJvZelv5Us/XuuOuG1i94I/AAAAAAAAGy4/WoWVOnLklFI_DPlMrArlIkwJ6mz_TpLfwCK4BGAsYHg/drought.jpg" width="379" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Photograph by Alan Levine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Dry Spell</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fissured
mud,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">dry,
hard, gray.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So
many interlacing</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">fingers
reaching out</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">in
every direction,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">crumble
to the touch.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Arid
summer,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">sucking
the breath from life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Languishing
thirst.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Wilted
flora bow their heads.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fallen
warriors lack resilience</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to
withstand the furnace blast.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Parched
earth,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">crying
out for sustenance.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No
clouds in sight.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Not
a drop of compassion </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to
be found.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Cruel
season of drought,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">unexpected
curse.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Farmers
pass their hats </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">and
lay low,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">hands
folded in prayer. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Rotted
fruit.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Tiny
shriveled globes of despair.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Shrunken
heads</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">hang
limp and forlorn </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">upon
dying hosts.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Time
stands still.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Torrid
air strangles all</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">within
its grasp.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I
exhale the dragon</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">from
my lungs.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Scorched
clay drifts from my hand,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">dispersed
into the atmosphere. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Well
of hope, dry as dust. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Foreign
to some years,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
vengeance in others.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">All
promise lost,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">walking
away</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Then
…</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">faces
turn upward</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">in
disbelief,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">as
forgiveness rains from the sky </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">* Published by <i>North of Oxford</i>, December 2018</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUSjpJH4tM0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUSjpJH4tM0</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hq8TZP9KIA/XuuPntOg0GI/AAAAAAAAGzA/kDzVwdRbUMU10b-IFB0lmOMPNDJKOjJ2gCK4BGAsYHg/s1280/homeless-845711_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hq8TZP9KIA/XuuPntOg0GI/AAAAAAAAGzA/kDzVwdRbUMU10b-IFB0lmOMPNDJKOjJ2gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/homeless-845711_1280.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Street Corner</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Alligator
skin and button eyes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
devil himself would cry </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">at
seeing such a man. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Twisted
hand held out in despair,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">begging
for a pittance. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Gaping
wound of hunger </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">weeps
out injustice spent for a dime. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Cardboard
castle and newspaper </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">bed
against a bitter cold blast of truth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Breath
held tight in defiance to a</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">storm
of unrepented sins. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Again,
and yet again I say,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">but
for the grace ….</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Time
turning orange to brown, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">fingers
aching blue.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Discarded
man, hunched figure,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
pile of rags upon the sidewalk.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Head
bowed low, not in contrition.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Empty
shell with hollow stare.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Words
of ice melted by the fire</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">of
unforgiving masses. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No
one sees, no one cares.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
procession of woe slowly</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">spirals
ever downward into</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
whirlpool of the damned.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Tear
stained vision of </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">impassioned
pain, forever cursed </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to
walk this earth alone,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">calling
street corner home.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">But
for the grace …</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">* Published by <i>Voice of Eve</i>, March 2019</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</font></style><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhs7KS8BMI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhs7KS8BMI</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-up8XBbVGVCc/XuuQrXxuDuI/AAAAAAAAGzM/_EKQadUjRI89sU9-HfGKaoeyMI-0lsuXwCK4BGAsYHg/s910/dependent-dementia-woman-old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="910" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-up8XBbVGVCc/XuuQrXxuDuI/AAAAAAAAGzM/_EKQadUjRI89sU9-HfGKaoeyMI-0lsuXwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/dependent-dementia-woman-old.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Tomorrow Never
Comes</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Hope
hides under the bed,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
forgotten pair of shoes,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">waiting
for the next journey,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">that
never seems to come.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Low
crouching, grasping reach,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">searching
for the prize. Brushing </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">off
cobwebs of old memories </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">seeking
rebirth, with no recollection </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">of
a time that came before.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Death
is a reality that cannot </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">be
ignored. Marching along </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a
wooden walkway, destiny </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">holds
out a foreboding hand.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Hours
passed in darkness, traveling </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">over
unknown landscape. I hear </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">but
cannot see. A thin veil of faith disguising </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">all
my sins. Tomorrow comes too quickly</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">when
tomorrow never comes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">* Published by <i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">Sheila-Na-Gig online</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">, September 2018</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">--------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">During the pandemic we have lost a number of jazz and other musicians. One was Wallace Roney. Here are a few of his songs.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">Let's start with "Why Should There Be Stars": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jiPvPs0WnQ&list=PL94pPProv3u1t-2-cpLDY1qOVnNxcGmZh" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jiPvPs0WnQ&list=PL94pPProv3u1t-2-cpLDY1qOVnNxcGmZh</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">Here is his "Blue in Green," a song that Miles Davis wrote: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GFY6SZfDpQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GFY6SZfDpQ</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">The music picks up a little with "Alone Together": <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-yNkX_UHw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-yNkX_UHw</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">I'll finish with his "Obsession" from 1991:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTOj0q9Tmq8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTOj0q9Tmq8</span></span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></span></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTOj0q9Tmq8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTOj0q9Tmq8" target="_blank">
</a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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Marianne Szlykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690997199080254317noreply@blogger.com0