A new issue of catapult is out. Entitled “Self Diagnosis,” it focuses on the Lenten season. I have two photos included in the issue which feature King Lear and Ash Wednesday. They appear toward the bottom.
Month: February 2009
after lambing
after lambing spring
bleats a wooly innocence*
blissful of the fall
*”wooly innocence” is kiped from Master Lewis and the influence of Mr. Keats also seeps in all over this poem.
fabric in a breeze
fabric in a breeze
contours her newly woken
legs pale from winter
spring is bubbling
spring is bubbling
from cold earth freed water flows
laughing into light
Poinsettia: Green to White
Coming Attractions: Fragile, Beautiful
The Poinsettia and the Laptop
It is possible that I might just be a little too obsessed with the curves and textures of dried poinsettia leaves. Lovely.
Down By the Riverside
Photo courtesy of Clay Johnson
By the riverside
The wounded rise and sing. And
Study war no more.
Today during church as I listened to “Down by the Riverside” for the second time in as many days, wonderfully performed by an adult choir at my church in honor of Black History Month, it struck me just what a remarkable lyric this is. As far as my very limited research could determine, this is a traditional spiritual. And I was struck at the power of the Gospel of Christ that encouraged oppressed African Americans, who had every reason to study war a whole lot, to instead sing this lyric, which is a not a lyric of defeat but transcendence. Hence the haiku above, largely penned while running the slide projector at church today.
I think our church choir did a better job than this one, and yet they have a remarkable soloist. And, yes, though the choir is a little amusing to watch because of its demographics and dress, I think this Youtube clip gives you the best sense of the song in the clearest format I could find.
The remainder of the evening last night (when we actually celebrated Black History Month officially as a church) was filled with other inspirational songs and great music.
Coming Attractions in Yellow and Blue
The Sway of the Arch
The Dassler Effect 