In the midst of our world, seemingly whackadoodle at times, there must be a way to center our selves and find new beginnings. I will always be an artist at heart and I am moved by the art reaction out there. Poets, both contemporary and ancient, continue to make fresh ideas happen and are very much AWAKE.
On the weighted subject of the earth’s CLIMATE and FERTILITY, I turn to the writings of Jules Michelet, who more than 150 years ago was able to romanticize the cycles of our ocean with responsibility and scientific accuracy.
“What is sea mucus, this viscous, whitish element found in seawater? It is none other than life itself. We do not know the constitution of water anymore than we know that of blood. Our best guess, as far as seaweed mucus is concerned, is it is as much an end as it is a beginning. Is it the result of the vast remnants of death, which are then donated to life? Undoubtedly yes, this is a law of nature. But in fact, in this sea world with its rapid rate of absorption most creatures are absorbed while still alive. Death is not a prolonged state for them, as often happens on land, where destruction is slower. The sea is an extremely pure element. War and death take care of everything and leave nothing behind.
Life continually molts and secretes, thereby eliminating itself of unnecessary excess. We, terrestrial animals constantly shed, This shedding of skin, which can be seen as a partial but daily death, fills the world of the seas with gelatinous richness, that instantly benefits nascent life. Nothing descends to an inorganic state, but rather is quickly integrated into new organisms. There is no animal or plant that does not absorb or produce this sea mucus in the first stages of life. The ocean’s children seem like foetuses in their gelatinous stage. They absorb and secrete mucus matter filling the waters with it, thereby endowing the sea with a gentle fertility like that of an infinite womb where new children continually come to swim as if in warm milk.”
Other BOOKS:
Any of the book on Wabisabi by Leonard Koren have infinite wisdom around the Japanese concept of organic decay in its purest beauty.
If you haven’t read “Frog and Toad” by Arnold Lobel recently, give it a whirl.
On MUSIC:
A few weeks ago, I heard Billy Bragg, English leftist rocker perform in the city. Coming from a long music career in punk, union protests and solidarity, his politics are timely and optimistic. He makes it possible. His charisma and sweet musicality holds a crowd transfixed by his wise and friendly vision. “Socialism is the new accountability.” Check out “California Stars.”
In the classical world, Esa-Pekka Salonen is making fresh magic happen. His compositions are layered and contemporary in concept, yet miraculously melodic at the same time. In a musical decade when it seems as it has all been done before, he breaks new territory and it is stunningly beautiful.
DOLLY. Anything this woman does lifts the world around her. Her feet are planted in truth as her spirit is festive and buoyant. Her history of rising from poverty to stardom is empowering for women everywhere. “The way I see it. If you want rainbows, you got to put up with the rain.”
On HEROES:
My grandmother turned 99 years old this week. She always wants to learn something new. Love. Curiosity. Faith. Lust for LIFE! No sad music.
It matters how you walk the earth. A good friend was severely burned in an accident and was in a coma for three months. While he was asleep, thirty grand was raised for his medical needs. I recently went on a steep hike in Cold Spring with him. He was trying out his new lungs for the first time. He paused to lean on a tree or two on the way up forcing me to take in the majestic vistas of the Hudson River. I would have scrambled up like a mountain goat and missed the oxygen if it weren’t for his brave climb. Life is about these suspended moments in time. And OXYGEN.