Tag: narrative

∴ composing melodies in my mind
while meandering in the massifs
for the merriment of many a marmot, meadowlark,
and moose mustering for music
marveling at nature’s magnificence,
moonlight melts away
i strum my mountain dulcimer
and begin my little tune ∴

∴ storming thru crags
offering climbs
of jagged complexity
each flash cheered
by frogs’ chorus, springy birds

no pause midst chalky puffs
hands reach into the realm of sends
persistence unyielding, willed
by love for vertical meditation

ascents ignite
across, through
the lattice
of my body electric

conquering routes with pure psyche
now toasted, nearly wheezing
on the last crux of this virgin line

where the final burn leads
to a fumble, a whip, a fail
Laid Out, faded, wickedly pumped
grasping barely at reality
grounded beneath the final top-out
peeled off, averting decking

not a conquest this day
a puzzle yet eludes
projecting, brewing deep in my mind

pondering still and
chilling, contemplating
engaged in Question and Answer
with my feathered guide
pursue?, pursue!, pursue?, pursue! ∴¹

1. I took some poetic liberties with the ‘Peter, Peter, Peter’ call of the tufted titmouse. It emanated from somewhere in the trees, and though I never actually caught sight of it, I could distinctly hear its call. ↩︎

∴ there flies the lady, where?
over yonder, gossamer-winged
as dark as the tempestuous skies
it thrills her so—turbulence and chaos

if you’re fortunate
on a whirlwind evening
when clocks strike
‘round midnight’s muse
(make sure it’s the new moon)
you too may catch her fleeting glimpse
among the thunderous firmament

eternal seeker
under depth’s disguise
she is tender
just as she is strong
he’s witnessed that too

not a fling of desire, but a longing
you see him as the jester
hope’s harbinger
he cares not

living for these moments
ephemeral sites
heart unfurled
treading storms with determination ∴

∴ you’re not a lamp
but a guiding star
a beacon in the darkness
leading me through
illuminating my path
and helping me find the way ∴

∴ interlacing through
uncertain propagation
i am my own captain 
between the here and there

site-reading waves
where concurrent complexity
and tranquillity spontaneously compose 
blades slice through duality
ripples of which shimmer
in the water’s reflection 

opportunities for exploration 
portaging through trails of
pasque flowers and phlox
blooming in superposition
rooted pizzicato steps
extending into fertile ground  
subtle seiches of sound echoing 
where only the attentive and precise
detect their resonance
harmonizing with the Earth’s hum

hunger and weariness beckon 
nightfall blankets the day’s radiant melodies |
an infinite expanse
beacons enkindled notation
in evening’s brilliant improvisation

campfire’s edge
chiaroscuro dances
sonata de ignis et umbrae in concerto
amidst flickering genesis
thoughts spark and then ember
as sleep beckons
contented mind and body cascade
into didgeridoo-rich dreams
ushering me through tunnels
of boundless possibilities ∴¹

1. In Week 2 of teaching myself circular breathing (although I’m beginning to think it should be called circular pressure instead), I’m still surprised that I didn’t attempt to learn this years ago when I was still playing the trumpet and was first exposed to the likes of John Faddis. His trumpet solo on Jaco Pastorius’ “Reza,” specifically from the Pastorius/Coltrane rendition of “Reza/Giant Steps/Reza,” is legendary and perhaps represents my earliest conscious appreciation of circular breathing. ↩︎

∴ supplicating sandwiches
with specters
of my creation, they linger
i resist being devoured
by their persistent presence

with each bite
and swallow
chewing them down
into mere wisps
letting them dissolve within
as sustenance and solace

a feast of self-reclamation
and a second serving ∴