Category: Poetry

light and music

“At the root of creativity is an impulse to understand, to make sense of random and often unrelated details. For me, photography provides an intersection of time, space, light, and emotional stance. One needs to be still enough, observant enough, and aware enough to recognize the life of the materials, to be able to ‘hear through the eyes.’ “ — Paul Caponigro

Last evening
as Colin Hay
drew music from his guitar strings
formed dramas with his lyrics
the stage lights also
drew beautifully
the form of a fan’s face

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Enlightening: communion with ancestors

a simple lamp shade
now illuminates the stair landing

made from oak sticks
(left over from the parquet floor installation)
and a little mulberry paper

standing in front of dad’s milling machine
making 32 (near) perfect cuts
for 16 lap joints
provided precious time to commune
with his (tool and die maker) spirit
as well as his father’s (cabinet maker) spirit

smell the oak shavings
and well oiled steel

see
the roots of the mighty oak
clawing the damp earth
paper drying on felts
in a far away land

the soul of the matter
create usefulness
mindfully

Wishing wells and mandalas

listen to warm
thaw watching egos dissolving
into a sea of compassion

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How to survive the economic slowdown

Here’s what people say to do to survive this current economic slowdown:

Market
Budget
Sharpen Position
Increase Exposure
Self promotion – All the time
Develop New Business
Deliver on promise of Client-centered organization
Manifest polite behavior
Exceed client’s expectations
Sustain positive attitude
Keep Calm
See the glass as half full
Be flexible
Never take the work for granted
Maintain focused optimism
Identify solutions
Fewer desserts and Lattes
More soups
Bake our your own bread
Cook more — eat-out less
Put the “children” on eBay

So as a graphic designer, photographer and videographer I decided to look at my economic picture…

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and open up a clothing store at cafepress with a zen line of designer clothing

do you have the time?

unable to find it
where did the time go?
often killing it
thoughtlessly
stalking answers
to questions sans reason
killing and eating
time
will tell
or fly

really?

perhaps if I’d saved some
or spent less

if you have a minute
share it well

The above poem floated around in my mind for a long time. Last week I began to look at and move the words around on the screen; while also contemplating images that may accompany them. On Saturday I received a call from my friend Doug. He informed me that he was in Thiensville, my home town, attending a funeral for a former student; Rick Borkin, 42 years old, a volunteer firefighter in Thiensville for 16 years, died during a training exercise 12/8/08. Firefighters from all the surrounding cities and towns attended. The appropriate photograph appeared from my attending this solemn event.

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Our man won and fresh snow fell

“A good photograph can penetrate the subconscious – but only if it is allowed to speak for however much time it needs to get there.” — Ralph Gibson

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The first moment after MSNBC declared the first Irish-African-American winner of the 2008 presidential election.

first snow fell last night
this morning, cold, lovely and
new visions to catch