Morning Sketch with [warning] a free association ramble

More than the patterns, the linking interstices,
the fibrous threads of connection, shimmering, transforming
to the atomic in the rhythms of Brownian movement,
there is the sensation where I can place my hands
on the stone and feel the resonance,
the distillation of the past performances,
the keen concentration of attention,
the enthusiasm of reception seething beneath the surface
and permeating through the structure
with the vast possibilities of expectations
humming through the spacious chambers
of the Lincoln Center.


Gearing myself up for my next work.  I must admit that this was actually not sketched on the subway, but in the library this morning while I was waiting to use one of the computers and check my email.

Although I am not yet certain how I will structure the composition, I am becoming convinced it will be formulated upon the Lincoln Center and will most probably be an episodic, lyrical narrative.  Ultimately though, we will have to wait and see.  I have long since learned that the more I allow the production to deviate from my original intentions and notions, the more fully the work develops itself.  As Tuesday Paz says in Nunatak, "Logic is an extremely important tool for effectiveness within society, but one must not limit oneself to it."

Many comments in even this little sketch will require extensive elaboration and clarification, especially the comment upon Brownian Motion, which will actually become an illustration of the quality of clarity and resolution in perception, in addition to the musical realities which permeates our entire being.  From this, I tend to think of one of Rilke's images where he describes the activities of our lives maturing fruit in another dimension where this fruit is gathered by angels.  I will have to search to find this illustration again though, perhaps it is in his New Poems.

For the time being, I am waiting for the rain to pass, so I can set up my little book stand outside and continue reading poetry to the passing crowds.

As odd as it may sound, this is actually a realistic depiction of the sensations I have often felt at the performance center.  And this is when I am not attending a performance.  When I am attending  performances, it is different.  As I described to a friend in a past email, when I attend a performance of the New York City Ballet, I feel like I am sitting directly at the face of the sun and the whole production fills me with light and heat so I feel I could burst into flames and rise like a Firebird.  But then again perhaps I listen to a little too much Stravinsky and read too many Russian folk tales, not to mention suffering from some severe cases of "delusions of grandeur."

Anyway, enough of this rambling this morning.  I typically keep such free association compositions, or perhaps more accurately described as bricolages, in my private journals, but due to my current transitional period, I have to expose myself, because I can't stop writing.  It has become as important of a part of my existence as breathing, sleeping and dreaming.

Reading at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park

Clip of a video of me reading from Martha at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.  Great event. I want to extend my thanks to the legendary Angela P for hosting the event and inviting me as a featured poet and also thanks to Steven Speliotis for providing the video footage.

I am reading from the beginning of Martha's professional career as a dancer.

Orpheus and the Dancing Elms

Ever seen trees dance.  Check out this video.  

Who's ready to reinvent the wheel?

For the past 17 years, my preferred mode of transportation is walking, although I definitely consider myself more Peripatetic than pedestrian.  Still, I remain a proponent for bicycles.  As I have said before, bicycles have to be one of the greatest inventions of human civilization.  What is more ingenious than inventing a means which allow people to run while sitting down?  Not to mention that bicycles may be the most efficient means of transportation on the ground.  

Still, there remain some complications with bike commuting and traffic laws.  Perhaps one can blame this on the fact that traffic laws were devised with little more than automobiles in mind.  Still,one of the most dangerous instances is watching bicyclist racing through red lights and completely disregarding stop signs.  

I am reasonably sympathetic with this.  After all, it must be extremely annoying to have expended the energy to achieve a breezy cruising speed, only to have that energy lost through abrasion, heat and that odd moan that the brake pads make on the bicycle's wheel rims.  Then after coming to a complete stop, the light turns green again, and the bicyclist has to laboriously crank the pedals to regain that cruising speed.  

Perhaps I can offer a solution - someone needs to reinvent the wheel.  

Instead of simply dissipating that energy through the brakes, why not devise a wheel that slows the bicycle by capturing the energy.  Then when the bicycle has slowed, or comes to a complete rest, that energy can be slowly released again to regain that cool cruising speed?  

Admittedly, I am not the most mechanically inclined person.  But I was considering some options.  Of course many electric cars do this with electric motors.  But this would probably be too heavy for a bicycle.  

The most practical solution would be the use of some type of light weight elastic material.  Through the braking, they would stretch and store the energy.  Then when needed, the stretched elastic could unravel and the energy released would propel the bike to effortlessly regain that carefree cruising speed.  

Of course even a contraption such as this would add weight to the bicycles, but I am not talking about using this on bicycles for the Tour de France.  I am thinking of simple cruisers that people would use for commuting and recreation.  

In time though, I am eagerly anticipating the inevitable day when an entire avenue in Manhattan is closed for only bicycle and pedestrian traffic.  And I truly believe that day is quickly approaching.  

Another Subway Poem

As I am in a transition right now, I don't have the opportunity to sit and compose any serious pieces.  It is typical for me to overextend myself beyond my resources.  Still my marketing venture is going well, people are enjoying my books and I have time to compose some light verse while riding in the subway.

For My Friend, Perseverance

They thought they could trap her like a bird,
slam shut the window they used to lure her
then batter her to the deck, stand on her neck
and pluck every single feather from her.

But she bounced around like a bullet,
riddled their lies till they were heaped in piles
then hovered like a buzzing hummingbird
before shooting through the roof.

Potted Plants

A thought
of a title
for a book
of poems:

Potted Plants

tiny islands
of life
with obscene flowers,
quilled cacti
and glowing peppers
filled with fire.

7/12/13
Another Subway Poem

John Ashbery's poetry, a reflection

Reading John Ashbery's poetry is like chasing a fox through a forest.
I can see the delicate and nimble flash darting and dashing through the lush vegetation and majestic stands, but I can never catch it.  If I remain intensely attentive, I can follow it through the turns, till suddenly at the end of the last line, the fox abruptly vanishes.  Then lifting my eyes from the page, I find myself in a completely different place.