The Silence Inn / A Witch's Knot

I've had a great surge of creative energy towards writing. I have been writing through the past 2 days with very little sleep. Powerful creative energy can not be ignored and consequently I've written about 10 new poems. I wanted to dedicate this post to two of these new poems. They explore some darker images and I thought showing ya'll this perspective of my work might be interesting. Let me know what you think.
______________

The Silence Inn

The brutal wave of
rain and jealously
followed me that night
as I sipped
strong lukewarm coffee
at the Silence Inn.

Bloodshot eyes staring
back at me, smiling
taunting me, thunder crash
and the storm laughed.

If I wanted to
the prickled bosom of
Room 134
would have welcomed
a splitting wired mind.

Yet someone
must have been in that storm
and I needed to find
who.

A mist arose
throughout the
Devil’s Playground

And then all I could hear
was the faint echo of a
child giggling.

And I laughed.
__________________________

A Witch's Knot

Does the bitter blood
soaked through this towel
excite you?

I smell your lust
and its cologne is a cliff
facing the unknown.

Angels are said to
drink inked dreams.

But I must protect my
dreams
(I have so
few). Hence

The towel,
the cliff,
the blood an aching lull.

It is finished
this spell
a clotted vessel
in a witch’s knot
swims gently on.
___________________________

If anyone is looking for some really hot Hip Hop I STRONGLY recommend getting Nicki Minaj's mixtapes. Not only does she embody ferocity, but the music rocks too!

That's all for today! God Bless!

-Brian

Verses in an Empty Travel Guide

New set of short poems.

Verses in an Empty Travel Guide

I.

Stare blissfully into the
eye of Fate’s anvil
as Time hammers in the

Sharp edges of tonight.
If you survive the oven
cackling witches’ curses.

II.

I’ve been told
I’m insane.
I won’t argue with those
who don’t speak to mirrors
Or who don’t butter both
sides of their toast.

Not a single dandelion grows
out of my palm
since the day I was committed.
And Earth’s famine (mankind) gives me
heartburn.

III.

View this tapestry:

A young man’s metal god
drinks to the health of
the molten core.

Unaware, he sings a din
while violins revolt
and set his piano on fire.

The fire.
That is what catches the eye.


IV.

He lives in a fantasy
of sour chameleon breath,
constantly trying to guide

The poor beast down a
less slippery slope.

If he only knew
casting a pebble would
save their lives.

V.

Children drip puddle wet hands
and drink the dirt’s broth.

The boom of father’s voice,
the chill of mother’s hand,

Allows life’s deadline
longer rein.
A shallow symphony.

Poetry Contest

Thanks to TWT_POETRY on Twiter I was made aware of a little poetry contest and I entered it. It had really unique prompts and how can I shy away from a challenge. The two prompts I chose to include were "I've never kissed a frog because," and "Freedom."
I'd love to know what ya'll think!
________________

Translation

Distant castles speak mystery onto
many feathered
messengers,
speaking in tongues only the
crescent moon wearily translates.

But I hear whispers…

And they tell me they understand
the wind.
They say the wind speaks in
shells on the beach
and empty rooms where a
golden mushroom decays into gold.

Why then do I still
open my window at night?

It’s the gossip in giggles,
never ending the
same as
when they began,

When you
know you have heard
a spark questioning its freedom.

Truth is a game we play as children.

And yet the gods of the forest yell
in vain for man to see
the reason.

And we all forget Love’s diction;
the dreamless held husband
shedding tears only
his pillow understands.

And the wind…

Why else do you think I’ve never kissed a frog?

As life continues...

I am happy to say that my time spent in Austin so far has been quite productive. I'm still a poor struggling artist, but I don't think you can be a true artist unless you start poor and struggling ;-). I have decided, therefore, to begin writing more often. I want to start portraying the mirror of the world through my own "rose-colored glasses."

I have begun a project writing haiku. Here are a few:

Manic night, breathe in
Colorful plumes ascending
From my cigarette.
____

Looming blimp of dreams,
When will you descend on me?
Sleep recoils, then flees.
____

Trust this fairytale:
A bloodied shoe does not fit
And princesses fade.


I have been writing these like mad and hope to make them a permanent form I can use in my poetry.

Here are some amazing albums I have been listening to:

Ke$ha's new album Animal is wonderfully dirty pop. There is a sense of "I know what I'm doing is wrong, but right now it doesn't matter." The hooks are instantly catchy and the beats are edgy while still being perfect in a club.

David Guetta's new album One Love is a monument in describing the sentiments so many people are feeling in these unstable days. His dark and gritty beats sound like bruises on the soul of the lyrics which are a welcome juxtaposition. The lyrics, in general, have an overarching sense of internal strength and hope that a lot of lyrics these days portray. They have a heartening but simultaneously an almost angry edge. Guetta's history as a DJ lead to some serious House influence which sometimes becomes tedious, though the minimalistic atmosphere it creates is nice enough.

Mike Posner is a new hip hop artist who has two fantastic mixtapes out. They used to be free on iTunes though I believe that has changed. The beats are well done and catchy while the lyrics are entertaining and some quite humorous. Some gems include a cover of Beyonce's Halo which is classic and Smoke and Drive. A must listen and an artist I will be anxiously awaiting a first album.


I love my wide range of passions and want to show that here. So moving before finishing up I want to list a couple of the books I have recently read and fell in love with.

Sum by David Eagleman is a book of very short stories dealing with different possibilities for the afterlife. Engaging, and ranging from depressing to hilarious, these stories are a very good read.

Book of my Nights by Li-Young Lee is, in my opinion, one of the most prolific poets of the 21st century. His poetry speaks to the mind of the insomniac as well as everyone who has ever questioned existence. His rapidly changing imagery requires slow study but creates such depth and beauty. Please read this poet.

Thats all for today. Thank you all and God Bless!

Religion v. Spirituality

Well, I just spent the past half hour composing only to lose it all when Finale decided to go crazy and close. When will I learn to save?! Oh well...

I have been reading a bit lately, and it seems that questions that have been coming to my mind lately have also been coming to the mind of many others. They are, are religion and spirituality the same thing? If not, is one part of the other? If so, why the distinction? There are many others that come to mind, but these are sufficient to begin discussion.

I believe that Religion and Spirituality are different, but for many people (such as myself) they are so intertwined that they become almost synonymous. According to Jay Michaelson, Aurora Mendelsohn and Alan Krinsky in an article entitled "Religion is actually Spirituality," they argue mostly the opposite point. However, they make an important generalization on religion (in this case Judaism), "Judaism has historically been more interested in deeds, not thoughts, creeds or specific mind-states." Since spirituality is the search for a mindset (according to these authors), and religion is about deeds, there is no way the two could be one and the same.

While I believe that these last points are quite large generalizations, they still serve to show some distinction in these terms that have plagued so-called "New Age" spirituality. Keep in mind, I understand the bad reputation religion gets, some deserved and much not deserved, and I know that this can color our outlook. However, keep a clear mind. I will try now, through my own experiences, to show how religion and spirituality can be intertwined in a life and still serve both "purposes."

I was "raised" Methodist in Northern Austin, Texas. I use quotes because my parents were never really serious about it. It was more that society says children should go to church. I see that. Regardless of belief, children learn many ethical and cooperation lessons while in Sunday School situations. In this way I believe I was able to solidify the "deeds" portion religion is supposed to be based on. However, slowly but surely my parents, void of any Christian belief, regressed away from church and took my sister and I with them. It was not until Junior year of High School that I joined the Southern Baptist Church.

I know what people say about the Baptist Church and a lot of it is very true. The fire and brimstone sermons are a little much, and the music is a little cheesy, but the deeply rooted, internal connection with God that they taught is something I would never give up. There is a greater sense of connection with community and God when the congregation is more involved with the service. Since then I have been working in various Episcopal Churches and have loved it. The liturgy of the Episcopal Church is so beautiful and intense that I immediately fell for it. This and the teachings of acceptance and community led me to lead a better life and have legitimate hope for humanity.

However, it was about this time I began to explore other religions, faiths, and paths to God. It was in this search that I came upon such things as chakra healing, meditation and its infinite techniques, introductions to The Qur'an and the Vedas (I will at some point go into my feelings on the sacred texts). Through this, I have crafted and sculpted my own path to the Divine which everyday grows and matures.

What all this is an attempt to say is, religion, for me, was the gateway into the soul of spirituality. It was through religion that I was able to discover my own true path for God. I am in no way insinuating that everyone's path to God need lie through religion, but that for many it must (no matter what that religion is).

In conclusion, yes, religion and spirituality are different things, and they mean different things for everyone. However, I believe that the battle between which is "right" is pointless. They are simply two paths to the same Source.

God Bless!

Moving to Austin

Hello. I haven't written in a long while. I haven't found the time, energy, or material to make a blog post worth it. Well, regardless I need to start writing more. I believe that it is important not only to have a personal journal but also to have a public archive of writing. Something about the fact that, regardless if anyone does or not, somebody COULD read it. This changes the way we write and the content. It's important to see this difference and then use it to explore your Self.

I'm moving back to Austin, Texas a week from today and I am quite excited. I'm going to be helping my mother start her own blog where she wants to post her poetry. From what I have read, she is quite remarkable! However, she writes exclusively in Spanish. Maybe someday I will translate them and share them with the world...

Rising Up

The last couple days have actually gone by pretty smoothly. I have not felt overly depressed, and have even experienced some artistic and spiritual energy and inspiration. I love this feeling and will keep and strive for it always. I have been further exploring the trance state and as of now I am still very much a beginner, but I have begun to see the trance state as an extention of the state I am experiencing during deep meditation. To some these states may be defined as synonomous. However, something in my gut tells me that a true trance state is the next step in my meditation and though I may not be able to achieve or even percieve what or how, I know that my deep desire and persistance will soon pay off.

I have been reading Awaken to One and have stumbled upon a series he wrote about Understanding Belief. I was immedietly drawn to read the whole series, but near the conclusion of the first segment, I decided to dwell and meditate on his message. What I have taken from this is a new mantra that I will begin to explore in my meditation, "I accept the perfect manifestation of my art, with the perfect outlet, in the perfect way."

Stumbling but getting through

I wish I was inspired as I used to be and I know it will return. Now, however, I am going through a rough spot that it taking all of my energy to get through. Dealing with mood swings by the hour and minute even with my wonderful bi-polar medication is difficult, but the good times are as good as the bad times bad. I understand and feel blessed to be in this place in my life and to be with people who love me and support me through everything. To be able to learn these important lessons (most of which are still unclear to me) is wonderful and beautiful, regardless of the fact that it is quite hard to live through. All of your prayers are wonderful, and thank you!

Continuing in Boston

Good evening. I haven't posted in a while for various reasons. I really feel I need to be in the mood to write with any kind of clarity and I must stay that clarity is something I am striving to achieve. It has been almost 4 weeks since I up and left Virginia to start this new chapter in my life and I am enjoying it. It presents me with new challenges and new opportunities for success, at least on a personal level, that I would be completely oblivious of if I had stayed in the hell-hole that Virginia had become for me.

Today has been quite strange. I have been quite ill the past few days with what seems like a tough cold. However, with the new skills and new job I forced myself to work yesterday and today. The last thing I want to do is start skipping out on my responsibilities again. Work was fine, and I have plenty of reading material to accompany me through the various hours of the day and night. However, I miss the social joy that always brought me so much peace. I understand, however, that this time in my life needs to be devoted to my own self-growth and to do that I need to focus on ME.

Meditation has been difficult for me these past weeks since my mind is such a spinning mess, but I was able to effectively balance my chakras and meditate for about 12 minutes. I know this is almost no time and before I left Virginia I had been able to go 1 1/2 hours (still short, but I'm still beginning my journey of meditiation). I should be getting my ADHD meds soon though, so this will help.

I don't know if I said anything helpful in this blog, but it was nice to get some of this off my chest.

Love!

Dear readers, those who may happen upon my random blog,
I am in the process, regardless of the obvious fact that it is almost 3 in the morning, reading, no, rather devouring Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. A book which I always meant to read. Frankenstein was actually on my list of books to read. A couple of years ago I became fascinated with the origins of the famous fictional monsters of history. Bram Stoker's Dracula was my first endevour, and having an above average reading level, and the intense love and desire to read difficult literature, I loved every second of it. The differences that society, and especially cinema, have changed these monsters (whether making them "scarier" [usually by taking away the humanity so devoted in the originals] or humbling them to leave out some of the more gruesome details) entranced me and quickly moved to Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I must note here that my criticism of the media is not to be taken too greatly as I must admit I avidly enjoyed the 1992 film "Bram Stoker's Dracula" especially for it's attention to detail to the original novel (a lack of attention to movies inpsired by books being one of my worst pet peeves). I mostly refer to the popular depictions of said monsters. However, I babble. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was close to the most exciting work of fiction for such a short narrative (with Of Mice and Men coming in close second). However, soon after my finishing the latter novel, I became entranced with some other humor of the arts and nearly forgot my former passion.
While at Borders, I was unsuccessful in aquiring a book which fancied my current taste (which ranged from Zorro by Isabel Allende to Secrets in the Shadows by VC Andrews). However, as if by fate, I discovered a copy of Frankenstein lying on one of the "School Books" displays (my most avid source of classics) and immedietly was drawn to buy it. It had sat in my room awaiting my attention for almost a week when, while frustrated at my slowness in reading legitamite Spanish literature (in Spanish), I opened Mary Shelley's classic.
I am merely on Chapter 2 and I am already filled with such enthusiasm and pure splendor that I immediately had to reflect on my feelings,the history of one of the periods of my literary life an aftermath of excitement which I find fills my blogs regularly. However, all of this is mostly to express my own excitement as well as to excite the mind of any who care to listen and who may have a love of literature similar to my own.

After all of that, I am excited also to say that in a strange lull of today's enlightened state, I have written a poem. The seeming dark tone of the poem is one that, although not so revealed so far in this blog, is commonplace in most of my poetry. I wish to express to the audience of my poetry that my deepest wish is to distance myself from the terrible description of "angst". Depressing imagery or content to me is simply a mould through which my current mindset must sculpt my art. I believe, however, that with close inspection to this poem in specific, the overall tone becomes one of hope, not despair.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I am afraid to think.
Even now the looming ghostly shadows
of my mind prepare their assault.

To sleep, oh to sleep I must wrap my thoughts
(kindly at first, then insistant)
some desperate
some adventitious

And send them in a balloon

Till they reach those beautiful
edges of sight, sound, and attention
(that percieved humble abode of the Archangel Lucifer
O morning star, son of the dawn!)
which some nights yeild to bountiful dreams.

And in a dream the curtain of sanity may be lifted,
nay, must be lifted,
and the infinite expanse of the imagination,
symbolic, profound, and yet deeply confusing,

alights and sparks the unity and wholeness
fallen from heaven.
O Wisdom of my heart,
seek not death in the error of your life

I pray but this:
Let my life be a dream.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Note: This poem is brand new and even in the transcribing of the text went through various editing.

Radiatore

Hello everyone. Forgive my lack of writing but as we all know, many things occur in this life which challenge us in one extreme or another. The past couple weeks have been a mess, basically, and I have been attempting to use all of my coping skills to deal with the things that have happened. I am not so arrogant as to say that I have the answers, for no matter how much we think we are spiritually ready for the trails and tribulations of this world, until you are in the middle of them, you have no idea. I have to say that I was not ready, though all of my work was not wasted for each time I am able to pull myself up (no matter how long it takes). I truly do believe that everything happens for a reason and that God, while giving us complete free will, presents opportunities to grow and learn. Every emotion and event on the "evil" or "bad" side of the emotional spectrum is also an opportunity to grow, even more so than the "good" I believe. It doesn't seem like it in the heat of the moment, but I believe even the horrible things on this Earth are a gift to make us stand up and do something! My blog is very scatterbrained today so forgive me, my mind is very scatterbrained at the moment. I had two very interesting dreams just now during my treasured after church nap. One was some strange events with a man I have feelings for and the other with a quite insane party with my roommate. I kept asking her for more and more candy (not drugs, though they may have been part of it, but literally candy like Skittles). Interesting... I must dwell on this a bit before I can offer myself interpretation.

The title of this post is the title of the piece I'm currently listening to by Ellen Band. It's very modern, and I'm glad I turned it on, because I haven't listened to anything truly modern in quite a few months. I would only reccommend it to those who truly enjoy avant-garde and post-avant-garde music.

Have a wonderful and peaceful day and week. Please accept the gift of my love which I share openly and freely!

-Brian Minnick

PS: Interesting... Despite my own lack of posting in a while, most of the blogs I follow have also yet to post, and if they have, they have done so in the same manner I have. That is, explaining the experience of deep change which is hindering writing (not a bad thing, just interesting). There is something really intense happening on Earth right now. I'm trying to be excited, but I also have a deep sense of uncertainty. Please, I beg you, help one another NOW! We are all going through some tough times and need each other. We are all ONE!

Insomnia

Well here I am, 3:16 in the morning and I'm still wide awake staring at the infinity of this computer screen. I have heard that the light of the computer screen actually keeps you awake. While I believe that this is possible, and probably true, I would much rather be "productive" ("" because I'm usually just refreshing my Twitter or reading articles, lol) than lying in bed with my eyes closed for 2 hours. I've taken my insomnia meds but all they are doing is making me yawn.

Oh well, I've lived with insomnia all my life. The night has become a second home. It is so beautifully different than the daytime. It is so mysterious and so creative. The energy of the moon is so different than that of the sun. I tend to prefer it, if only because is pours creative energy, healing, and mysterious wonder. I just love it.

My new found center has been tested to the extreme these past few weeks and I have to say, as I am only human, I have let the world and its crazy circumstances get to me. However, after some time I am able to find my center again and feel the warmth of the Eternal Breath.

At School

Good afternoon! I'm at school (George Mason University), and I have some free time so I decided to come on here and blog a little bit to pass the time. The past couple weeks have been difficult, with the new added stress of school, but I feel that my mood swings are getting less and less intense, and easier to control. Luckily, a steady regimen of meditating and spiritual work have helped me achieve a more balanced psyche and body. I had an intense meditation last night dealing with the Sufi mantra Al-Matin, commonly translated a patience. Of course this term is much more complicated, but patience is the large picture that I received. When I was in my meditative state, I allowed the troubles and wandering thoughts of my mind (usually held at bay to achieve clear-headedness) to speak one by one. All of a sudden all of my doubts and woes came through. Luckily, I was able to take each in turn and breath Al-Matin slowly and clearly so that patience would be learned and understood. I actually became emotional during this time (more of a revelatory emotional outburst than one of sadness). When I was finished I felt so light and wonderful. I believe that I now must add time in my meditation to not only reach my calm center, but then to take advantage of it to gain wisdom.

Thanks to HenkTerHeide on Twitter, I have found a new artist who absolutely blew my socks off. These futuristic fantasy paintings will truly make you think. Please don't miss out on experiencing this wonderful artist. His name is Jacek Yerka and I believe this link will most easily get you there. Please let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful and peaceful day!

It's Time to Open

Good afternoon all you brilliant people. I haven't written in a while, but that is mostly because life loves to throw huge stones that one must handle before forward-moving life can continue. Anyway, with the melodies of Anjulie blaring from my computer speakers, I wish to talk about something that has been a huge part of my spiritual growth.

As the title states, it is time to open. Open up to the world, to people, to nature, and most importantly, to ourselves. When we close or hold anything inside, we are not only placing burden's and stresses all over our body, but we are directly and indirectly influencing the cosmos. The human ability to use mirror neurons (neurons in premotor cortex and the inferior parietal cortex which allow humans and primates to copy what they see, or to feel emotions similar to those they witness) is a wonderful and beautiful instinct that help us on a daily basis. However, when we begin to harbor negativity, we have no ability to keep it completely to ourselves (why would we want to?). This negativity, even if it not seen consciously, is transmitted regardless to everyone you encounter.

Please, let us deal with our negativity head on! I once heard on the topic of obstacles (and forgive my paraphrase) that they are one of our greatest tools to reach enlightenment. When we actively pursue to better our lives by facing our problems head on, then regardless of the outcome, we have learned countless lessons. This is a life-long endeavor, and it is obviously easier said than done. Just remember, everyone, including you, makes mistakes, and that is perfectly fine. What is not fine, is when we harbor so much negativity, whether in the form of self-doubt or hatred, that we injure ourselves and those around us.

I have personally experienced all kinds of negativity as I have struggled with bi-polar disorder as well as ADD and ADHD. I have to share, however, that my life has changed in so many wonderful ways because of the past couple months of beginning to explore alternative healing. Meditation and research have shown me so many beautiful ways to explore my mind, body, and spirit.

That being said, my biggest point in opening up is being open-minded. I know that religion and spirituality are less than popular among youth today. However, whether or not you believe in the dogma or practices of a certain religion, we can learn so much from our fellow man. The Bible and the Qur'an are beautiful pieces of literature that can teach us a lot about surviving in a world that seems always out to get you. The teachings of the Eastern religions are powerful and almost magical, allowing one to experience their mind and soul in so many different ways. These are just a few examples of all the wonderful things we can learn from different religions. Try it out, it won't kill ya.

Lastly, this blog post was inspired by my new purchase of The Sufi Book of Life by Neil Douglas-Klotz. It is a collection of 99 Pathways of the Heart. It can be read straight through, or used like an oracle. Each pathway ends with a mantra and meditation that help you meditate on each new aspect of life. I am hooked.

Have a wonderful day everyone and remember OPEN UP!

Twitter

Strange title, I know. It seems everyone is obsessed with the Twitter Revolution. I myself have found great fun, and honestly, great information through Twitter. I use it every day to find out what my friends are doing, what my favorite stars are up to (since most actually write their own tweets), and to read new articles about things I'm interested in such as new music, meditation, and other forms of alternative healing. It has allowed me a new outlet to express myself and a less stressful outlet than websites like Facebook and Myspace (which I now use infrequently).

Anyway, I wanted to share some new stuff I've found. The American Monk is a wonderful blog where a wise man speaks about various topics including stress, meditation, and personal vision. I found it very helpful, including pursuing his meditation series. The first lesson includes a guided meditation called "The Daisy Pond" in which you create your own world in which to relax. It sounds so simple and yet, at least for me (I love creative things), gave me a wonderful imaginary place to do my meditations. Having just begun I don't know to what I extent I'll use it, but I love the concept and am going to use it. Check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If your on Twitter and are interested in various articles concerning alternative healing and self-awakening, follow VibesUP. They sell something or other which doesn't interest me too much, but they have so many resources and openly share them with the public. I love it.

One last thing. On PLANET UPGRADE, one of the blogs I follow (see left of page for link) I found this. The metaphor is a little out there, but I really enjoy the message.



That's all for now. Have a wonderful day!

PS: I think it is so funny that I keep thinking of new things to say. I guess it's ok to keep updating a blog until your satisfied. I want to recommend a book of short stories. It is called You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett. It is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist and some of the most shocking and edgy short stories I have ever read. He has no qualms about hitting you upside the face with some very dramatic situations. Some are more intense than others, but so far they have all been extremely beautiful and worthwhile. Check it out.

Bruckner and Kingsolver

Well today has been a rather less than psychologically on par day. I have been experiencing some bad depression most of the day, not that anyone really cares, lol. I went to the thrift store yesterday and bought a couple little things for really cheap. I bought a copy of Barbara Kingsolver's A Prodigal Summer, a novel based in an "ardent commitment to the supremacy of nature" (San Francisco Chronicle). I fell in love with Kingsolver's writing with her book The Poisonwood Bible. Her style is almost musical and it really illustrates what seems to be the true meaning of nature.

I also bought Anton Bruckner's Symphony #4 played by the Philharmonia Slavonica, Conducted by Henry Adolph. I just finished my first listening of it and it one of the finest Romantic Symphonies I have heard in a long while. I now realize why the mid-Romantic to the early 20th centuries are my favorite. The style is almost militaristic with its harsh rhythms and sharp modulations. However, I have feeling that is far from what is truly being expressed. I think this because the slower (though no less intense) places give a mysterious, mystic feeling. It is so wonderfully Romantic (no wonder its subtitle is the "Romantic Symphony"). I have re-fallen in love with Bruckner and am at the moment downloading various Masses by him and Rheinberger. Good music and good literature should help keep my spirits up some.

PS: While reading an article on the Trials of Purification, I found a wonderful quote that I would love to share:

"Blessed are those who may enter the trials of purification in a state of awakeness, and who can go through the experience with God as companion, rather than without."

I love this and it has deeply strengthened me. Please read the blog that this came from. PLANET UPGRADE. You can also find the link in the Blogs I Follow Section on the left.

Poetry

Good afternoon everyone! I'm hanging out at my friend Josh's house just browsing poetry and it put me into a very poetic mood. Poetry is one of my favorite art forms. They are the closest art to music in my opinion, or at least to vocal music. Anyway, my good friend and colleague Zachary Hugo have been speaking of setting some poetry to send to each other to perform. I'm excited how each of us sets these texts differently (we have extremely different styles, but I respect and enjoy his music immensely). As of now we have not chosen a poet, but we were thinking about 3 poems by American poet, Sara Teasdale.

Also, I have a great deal of poetry that I would love to share and just keep forgetting to post it, so here is one that I wrote for my mother last Christmas:

Children

Children are born of such strange seed;
they sprout and flower
and then fly free.

Of hugging deep
and letting go,
and pain of growing things unknown.

The pain is real
Love's hold so strong
Forget me not, oh golden crown.

I walk with strength
Your will is strength
as mermaid tears adorn my back.

Oh sun, my sun, I am your star
and while I may be far from sight,
Your warmth encompasses my garb.

Relationships grow firm with time
connecting with so firm a line
that time and distance become unconfined.

If you must recall a promise,
know that I will always be near,
My heart, my soul, your gift to care.

And if perchance
your heart will speak
it will be an image locked deep beneath.

Though tears have healed
your troubled breast
this vision pure, Truth's beacon bright,

A little child
so meek and mild
abreast to one so strong and kind.

A woman
born in Wisdom's truth
to bestow the miracle of my birth.

Stressful Packing

Goodness. Its 5:17 in the morning and I'm still packing. Bijan should be here in about 3 hours. Hopefully I can have almost everything done by then. I am almost done, but the last bits are the hardest. I also am not strong enough to move some of these boxes. Complain, complain, complain. But what can I say, I'm pretty damn good at it. I still haven't ventured to the "how am I gonna pack all this shit in my car." But I think I'll leave that to the packing skills of Bijan. It'll work out, but I'm just not sure how right now. I can only focus for like 5 minutes at a time and I always gravitate back to this empty computer. Wow, what a short post, I guess I just needed a source to bitch into.

Poem

A short poem:

Fireflies flickering wild messages behind my eyes.
Birds chirp idly on.
Fences hold nothing back.
Creased branches closing in on my porch.
A child cries out as a streetlight glows dimly in the evening.

Madonna and Moving

I find it so strange that I still feel the need to spend so much time writing in this blog, even though I know that even if this blog ever does get a following, very few people will ever think to look at these past entries. I guess it's the journal feeling of blogging. Even though I have my own personal journal and it serves as one of few solidifying factors in my life, a "public" journal has a whole other luster. Oh well, I will keep writing.

So this is week two of a moving process that not only should have started a month ago, but has also dragged out endlessly. Who knew that moving was such a straining, draining, and ultimately overwhelming process. My friends have helped me to the greatest of their abilities, but their lives are just as busy as mine and so I've undertaken most of this on my own. My dreams the past couple weeks have dealt a lot with protection (of myself or others), reliance, and failure for reliance. I feel a lot of this stems from what I'm dealing with now as I'm vigorously and eventfully trying to become self-sufficient. It really sucks, but as I search in myself and through all art I just need to keep pushing. Who care's what's on the other end of this mountain (probably another mountain) but it should be the climb that I dwell in. I have focused a great deal of my time in meditation and chakra balancing which has proved to be unmistakably helpful. The ability to center yourself and to allow all the aspects of your life to flow equally allows those things that are pressing to be clear while not overwhelming. I have become remarkably better at clearing my mind which has helped me sleep and helped me focus my mind away from those things which would overwhelm me.

Life can not be as bad as I always seem to paint it (or maybe it is and I'm just trying to lie to myself, I hope not). I know there will always be problems and that I will not always win, but I can't seem to catch enough of a break to breathe in between these problems. Hopefully once college ends and I start my career SOMETHING will get easier, I fear not. Anyway, enough depressing talk.

My body has recently needed a huge amount of sleep which has halted be from doing some very necessary things with my day, but if my body needs it, I will not ignore it. I have been procrastinating per usual and have been exploring some new gorgeous art. Thanks to a wonderful artist on Twitter, I have been able to see some of the most cutting edge pop art phenomenons. And, per usual, I want to do anything I can to promote those I like (and there is very little I don't like). This is a wonderful artist named Rob Verheyen (http://www.artbreak.com/robverheyen). Please check his stuff out.

Finally, on a whim, I decided to start watching some Madonna interviews from the 90's and found that she was and is such an unbelievably intelligent woman. She speaks of her music like a true musician should. She speaks of trends and cultural influences. She speaks of lyrics and melodic drive. She speaks of the theatrical aspect of music and performance. I already thought Madonna was and is one of the top artists of the 21st century but after seeing this, I see now that she more than that. She created something so beautiful and artistic with the strength and power of her own imagination and those of her colleagues. That is what I wish to do with my life. She is such an inspiration.

Well, I doubt anyone made it this far, but if you have thanks for reading!

PS: Imogen Heap has released her new single which is FABULOUS!! Her new album is scheduled to be released in August. Check out Perez if you want to listen to it