Ashtavakra Gita

This week I began composing a choral arrangement of Chapter VI of the Ashtavakra Gita.

The arrangement will be sung in the original Sanskrit, but here is my re-writing of John Fisher's translation:

I am space. unbounded.

While the world is like a jar.

I know this as knowledge.

I do not deny this.

I do not accept this.

I do not stop this.

I am the ocean.

While the abundance of matter is like a wave.

I know this as knowledge.

I do not deny this.

I do not accept this.

I do not stop this.

I am mother-of-pearl.

While the envisioned world is like iridescence.

I know this as knowledge.

I do not deny this.

I do not accept this.

I do not stop this.

Again.

I am in all.

While all is in me.

I know this as knowledge.

I do not deny this.

I do not accept this.

I do not stop this.

Another needy poem

The Way We Need (for Paul)

i can't explain
the i
you
need to
the way you need
the way i feel
need to,
the needing way you feel
the need
i can't explain
the feeling i need,
your need to feel
i can't explain.


an old "needy" poem from a knife a rope a book (Underwhich Editions 1990)

when need comes near

Finished a piece for voice & piano started in 2007: when need comes near

when need comes near

I walk

away

when need comes near

I wait

in the open doorway

wait

to walk

away

waiting for a way

to be

away

when need comes near

I walk

I wait

I walk

away

Feral Verses

Sunday posting from Mari-Lou


From the back of the car Cicero thought he heard donkeys braying.

Hit me again and I’ll prorogue parliament the lawyer’s son said to the bully.

Once you study law you see the whole world differently.

I am a poet. I dream of aquatic plants sprouting from my leg.
Calf to be exact, right calf muscle where the Achilles tendon left off.

Achilles wasn’t afraid of anything, except hurting his heel. Thus he didn’t dance or wear flat sandals.

Tantrum prone, unlike Cicero who just couldn’t hold his tongue. Unlike the lawyer’s son who couldn’t tongue his hold.

spring crackers

Much ado about much at Rembrandt's yesterday. Hello to all who showed, told and processed poetry-related news, books, ephemera. Lia: wonderful suggestions all:
Steve Tomasula, "The Sensualist", "Mark Danielewski's "House of Leaves". And thanks for suggesting Twyla Tharp's "The creative Habit"

Check out Ugly Duckling Press. Great writing and design with the word in mind.

Lia, It would be great to hear more about the Banff conference here...
Remember post your work! or that you worked.. here by midnight Sunday!

Get crunching.