I’ve started to re-read “The Lord of the
Rings”. It’s been years since I read the trilogy, I believe it was
during my university days that I bought all three books and read them,
probably one right after the other. I’ve even found my original copies,
which cost me $1.65.
Part of my reading is due to the anticipated
release of the Lord of the Rings movie during the Christmas season.
I understand they’re putting all three books into movies, which will be
released over the next three years. It should be interesting to watch
this interpretation of the classic fantasy books, I remember watching Ralph
Baski’s attempt, during the 70’s, I know the movie was panned, perhaps
with justification, perhaps unfairly. It was an overwhelming attempt,
and with today’s technology things may be better.
My thoughts this month is about ‘fantasy’.
This is a marvelous field of literature, one that takes our thoughts from
the mundane world of reality to lands of magic, adventure and song.
The stories take the style of journeys of adventure and peril. Groups
of mismatched individuals take off, often in the care of a wizard to seek
after a treasure that will save the world or at, keep it out of the hands
of some power that will destroy the world.
Although science fiction is my favourite
form of literature I do enjoy reading the occasional fantasy. I like
to get away from the hard edge of sci-fi and return to times when technology
was not that important and courage was the seed of adventure. I like reading
about orcs, elves, fairies and other creatures of magic. Do such
creatures exist? Well, I had a family friend when I lived in Vancouver
and I’m almost certain their daughter had elven blood in her.
As I read the read the words of J.R.R.
Tolkien again, I am amazed with the incredible style of writing he brings
to the page.
This issue is dedicated to fantasy,
to escaping the bounds of this age and returning to the age of magic.
Poetry
did ya say right? Woops __ I'm goin left
proper _ hick-up _ wut's that
what in tarnation did ya think you'd get
when ya asked for an in-div-id-ual __ hmmmmm?
oh ~ I'm one of a kind ~ oh yeah
still aslidin down a banister
like a school gal _ n singin _ I'm singin alllllll the day
thinkin bout fishin in the creek _ without a paddle too
nuh huh _ what say boy?
oh _ them there eyes is a glarin at me like I's lost ma mind er
somethin!
donne fret lad
I'm not mad _ just came to my senses, as Ebenezer would have said
the light came on _ ooooh, bout a month or so on down the road
say __ gimme a chaw n yer bacco there, or a slab o that ol jerky'll
do
ain't fixin to be a makin din-dins none too soon
Awww seen enough bakin pans n skillets to fill a water n hole
which reminds me _ Jake put a durn near new tire up n that ol tree
up
yonder
kick up yer heels n swing me a round r two
that's the ticket _ right n feel the breeze drift past on a spring
day
in
May
stop that now _ ya durn near made a rhyme gal
no high falutin time for that
NOW DANCE
Poem 2
In Lieu of Science & Health
Heaven cries for its innocent ones
the bravehearts
who sacrifice their body parts
to serve a sect of cruel and vanity
they tie the bear indignantly
extend tubes from gall bladders
to take from nature's own, what they feel is theirs
The wails ! The moans ! The pain ! The suffering !
THE PLEA to have his life subside ... it goes unheard
We have taken too much
and soon the cock cries
for those who steal unnecessary
In slow motion
on the screen
every beast assumes
grace. The primaries
extend
one by one, the lens
focuses, thin rafts
of flight. The single
leap repeated.
Ocelot, inch-worm, spider-
monkey. Talon
springs to blood.
This is not
witchcraft. The eye
that blinks misses
everything.
BAG LADY
In stubby camouflage
like a monolith marching
so you think she’s a rock
in a dusty road. You think
she makes no sound,
it’s just the dull percussion
of wood, a thick old juniper
that hates a crowd,
with roots that go down
as far as they need to.
She sees everything.
CARETAKER
It starts behind his eyes.
From there you’d say it goes
the way of pride and nurture,
clipped hedges and a bank
of crimson camellias bending
under his shears.
The daughter loves to drag
her sandals on the stones
and wish upon a fountain
as she grows. He remains
invisible, neither friend nor
uncle, surely not father.
He secures her future
in walls that keep these acres,
its descendants safe
and tended in possession,
which is theirs, not
his. And so he snips
and trims.
MASSES
How could you forget the people flying
overhead? How could you think yourself alone
meditating among the ponderosa pines and,
listen, there’s the jit-jit of a junco,
but otherwise alone in your personal silence –
when a couple hundred finely engineered
brains, having recently reached altitude,
now grasp a martini, or already sleep
the unjust sleep of those about to be jet-
lagged? They drag their contrail east
toward Denver or Chicago, some hub designed
to receive masses. May they pass over
safely, you say a quick speed-fare-ye-away,
almost a prayer against them crashing down
to visit. A psalm of thanks to be left here
in silence, rooted just a little less
than ponderosa to its shadow.
Taylor Graham
piper@innercite.com
Thoughts,
viscous like vascular fluid,
pulsing pelagic, pretending
to be crystal, ice-like fire tongues forming
soft spoken séance sessions to soothe
the stirring within, to coax
it out, crying the crumbling,
cadaverous crime of speaking
one's mind.
-Valerie Schwader-
http://www.cjacks.com/cjacks/
HAVE YOUR WORK PUBLISHED FREE
_____________________________________
to speak
to define
to reach sublime
heights of sheer confusion,
understanding from whence unspoken diatribes
wipe out the lie inside
-Valerie Schwader-
http://www.cjacks.com/cjacks/
HAVE YOUR WORK PUBLISHED FREE
AinI've been listening to and corresponding to Tony Garone. He has an interesting cd based upon the "Epic of Giglamish". Here's his information:
The Epic of Gilgamesh - a unique work...
I believe you'll find "The Epic of Gilgamesh" to be a unique work. Over the past two years I have taken this six thousand year old story and put it to music, employing a variety of sounds and musical styles. I hope to tell the story of Gilgamesh in a refreshing way - through song and verse, while exploring the rich culture of Mesopotamia, and the deep philosophical meaning of the epic.
A "Musical Quilt"
The method of recording this Compact Disc is unique. It is comprised of musicians from around the world - most of whom have never met or spoken -who are "playing" together on the same songs.
Using the Internet and MP3 technology, I have managed to employ the talents of sixteen musicians from three different countries to create what I call a "musical quilt". This "musical quilt", was sent from person to person around the world, with each individual adding his or her talents to complete the project.
MP3s:
http://www.garone.net/tony/mp3.html
The Gilgamesh "Web Companion"
The Compact Disc included in this promotional package is just a component of a much larger work. In order to fully appreciate "The Epic of Gilgamesh", you must access the "Gilgamesh Web Companion" located here:
http://www.garone.net/tony/gilgamesh.html
The "Web Companion" will help you get the complete picture. Included are the lyrics, methods of recording, explanations of the events in the story, and the original cuneiform rendering of the song titles with definitions by a Ph.D. from UCLA.
Truly, the journey was the reward.
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Some information about me:
I am a solo artist who has been playing music for many years. I am also in the progressive rock band Heresy. This is my first major solo album, but it was done with the help of many musicians and artists from around the world
I live in Arizona USA, have four children (all of which contributed to Gilgamesh) and have been playing music since I was 16. My influences are: Joni Mitchell, Peter Garbriel, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Patsy Cline, Van Der Graaf Generator, Brian Eno, King Crimson, Gong, The Flamingos, Charles Mingus, Bruce Hornsby, John Coltrane, Johnny Cash, Todd Rungren, Magma, Egg, Bizet - the list goes on...
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My inspiration:
The inspiration for creating "The Epic of Gilgamesh" is my fascination with ancient history of the Middle East and our origins. This part of the world intrigues me - and has since I was thirteen.
Creating Gilgamesh was a labor of love. This work involved two years of learning, exploration and collaboration. It began by my reading a reference to Gilgamesh in Zechariah Sitchin's book "The Twelfth Planet". Although his interpretation of the text is on the "fringe" I found his description of "Huwawa/Humbaba" fascinating.
From there I dove right into the more traditional texts concerning the Epic, most notably Maureen Gallery Kovac's translation "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (Stanford University Press) and John Maier's book, "Gilgamesh : A Reader". To further my understanding of the Epic, the surrounding history and culture, Jeremy Black and Anthony Green's "Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia" (University of Texas Press), Michael Roaf's "Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia" (Andromeda Oxford Limited) and Alexander Heidel's "The Babylonian Genesis" (University of Chicago Press) were indispensible references - and of course the multitude of essays I downloaded from the Internet from other Universities. One additional web resource of value was "The Assyro-Babylonian Mythology FAQ version 1.8html" by Christopher B.Siren (http://pubpages.unh.edu/~cbsiren/assyrbabyl-faq.html). My most valuable resource was Joseph Pagan Phd. at UCLA, who contributed significantly to my "education" and the "Gilgamesh Web Companion"
Watch for a review in the next issue.
Next month will mark the end of three years of
editing and publishing this ezine. I want to thank the people who
regularly contribute and to those who emailed me only once. You make
this effort possible.
Yes I know this is late, again.
I’ll make the effort to get next month’s issue up and running by the first
week, or by sure the second week of June.
I’ve got a couple of things that I’m reading
and listening to and I’ll be reviewing the material next issue. If
you have a review of a movie, book or music, or you want to attempt a review,
then send it in, along with your poetry.
Send everything to:pabear_7@yahoo.com