A poem inspired by the U.S. admission that drone strikes killed four American citizens
Blood on the Wires
one mistake,
left broken, breached,
a contract with a flag,
that waves in the afternoon air,
sun, you cloudless brick,
hurled at the unwashed grounds
of another lovely people,
who yearn to love and grow to learn.
that mighty drone,
four american shadows
glimpsed in the
lighted window of another tenement …
he signs his last bill,
says its for the best,
sips his coffee,
and drowns out the riotous voices outside.
love your own kind,
she says with a smile,
a smirk,
a stationary glance.
but how does one love?
how does one say who lives and dies?
with the flick of a cigarette,
the jotting of a pen,
he'll know what is right, what is wrong,
and what is to be remembered.
And since this is/was a music blog, the song that I was listening to as I read the articles/wrote the poem was "Likkle More" by Kim Deal, which you can hear below:
That's all. PEACE.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
for Mark Carson
After reading about the hate crime/murder that took place in New York's West Village, that claimed the life of 32-year-old Mark Carson, I was inspired to write this poem for him. Part of a project I started about a year ago, in which I started writing poems that were directly inspired by news articles (ie. the one I posted a while back about the conflict in Syria), this one felt like there was a pressing need to address the growing problem of intolerance that plagues our country. While some may argue that this happens all over the world (which is true), people should be able to manufacture at least some semblance of an idea of what is right and wrong, and taking a human life is wrong, regardless of your beliefs. I just hope, as a human being, that people come to their senses before these "hate crimes" escalate to a place where redemption won't exist. Anyways ... you can read the poem below: This one is for you, Mr. Carson.
For Mark Carson
6th and 8th the sky illuminating that hot, red moon, his breath silent, under the scorching of another glowing star.
He walks, loosening his steps along the gravel, a smile lighting his face, his cheeks flushed with delight, life is good.
The West Village buildings shuffle their toes along the roadside, allow him to pass, allow him to move.
Who is this dark shadow, that emerges from beneath the lighted lamppost. “You want to die tonight?”
Walking faster, he ignores the question, he moves quickly, under the shifting clouds, waiting for the applause.
His knees buckle, in an endless scuffle, for mind over matter. Where does that first bullet land?
His body stretches under that waiting tree, arms outstretched, “the gay angel …” How beautiful you look tonight.
We thought the village was safe, safe from the angry bullets of a hate-filled phantom, yet he's alive in his fury.
No longer a hologram, but full-bodied and steady.
And since this is mainly a music blog, I thought I'd share what I was listening to while I wrote this: Kim Deal's "Hot Shot"
That's all. PEACE.
For Mark Carson
6th and 8th the sky illuminating that hot, red moon, his breath silent, under the scorching of another glowing star.
He walks, loosening his steps along the gravel, a smile lighting his face, his cheeks flushed with delight, life is good.
The West Village buildings shuffle their toes along the roadside, allow him to pass, allow him to move.
Who is this dark shadow, that emerges from beneath the lighted lamppost. “You want to die tonight?”
Walking faster, he ignores the question, he moves quickly, under the shifting clouds, waiting for the applause.
His knees buckle, in an endless scuffle, for mind over matter. Where does that first bullet land?
His body stretches under that waiting tree, arms outstretched, “the gay angel …” How beautiful you look tonight.
We thought the village was safe, safe from the angry bullets of a hate-filled phantom, yet he's alive in his fury.
No longer a hologram, but full-bodied and steady.
And since this is mainly a music blog, I thought I'd share what I was listening to while I wrote this: Kim Deal's "Hot Shot"
That's all. PEACE.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Burnin' For You
Here are The Sonics!...Native Korean Rock...Kanye W...
I once read somewhere that the idea of music is that it should be shared and it should be treasured by the majority because given the masses will always move toward new trends and new ideas, music in itself is a constant. People will always need a beat, an instrument, something to express themselves. Personally, I have many outlets for that, but regardless of who you are, music should always be a big part of your life, and if it isn't, that just means you haven't heard enough good stuff. Listen to some Sinatra and ease your way in.
Moving along, my import of The Sonics' Here Are The Sonics! has finally come in and I've been listening to it nonstop. I was in my office the other day talking to a friend and this band came up, and though I've loved them for years, I realized that I didn't own any of their records. So, I immediately went home and ordered this bad boy, and no regrets thus far. If I remember correctly, it's basically an album of good rock covers, with the only original song being "The Witch," but no one can do covers like this band. You can hear them "Walking The Dog" below:
Also, since I'm gearing up for the release of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Mosquito, coming out later this month, I've been delving into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' earlier stuff, and have slowly migrated to the lo-fi demos of Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets (Karen O's brief side project). I've written about them before, so I won't waste too much time reiterating my appreciation of O's vocals, the rough, sweet quality of the recordings, or the clear sentimental heart that possesses these recordings. Just listen to "Day Go By" below:
Also, after reading that Kanye West was coming out with a new album some time this year, I was talking to my roommate about it, to which she asked, "Is that guy legit or is he just some privileged ass with a mic?" I told her, "Unfortunately, it's the latter." BUT, that doesn't mean the man isn't talented. Granted, I hate his personality and would rather him not speak ... EVER. However, listening to his music can be a mixed blessing. You can be blessed to get tracks like "Everything I Am," which are noted for their poignant reiterations of this man's character, or you can get 808s & Heartbreak, and who wants that? Regardless, I'm sure people will be excited if and when he decides to drop a new album. Until then, we still have everything else, including "Everything I Am."
That's all. PEACE.
I once read somewhere that the idea of music is that it should be shared and it should be treasured by the majority because given the masses will always move toward new trends and new ideas, music in itself is a constant. People will always need a beat, an instrument, something to express themselves. Personally, I have many outlets for that, but regardless of who you are, music should always be a big part of your life, and if it isn't, that just means you haven't heard enough good stuff. Listen to some Sinatra and ease your way in.
Moving along, my import of The Sonics' Here Are The Sonics! has finally come in and I've been listening to it nonstop. I was in my office the other day talking to a friend and this band came up, and though I've loved them for years, I realized that I didn't own any of their records. So, I immediately went home and ordered this bad boy, and no regrets thus far. If I remember correctly, it's basically an album of good rock covers, with the only original song being "The Witch," but no one can do covers like this band. You can hear them "Walking The Dog" below:
Also, since I'm gearing up for the release of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Mosquito, coming out later this month, I've been delving into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' earlier stuff, and have slowly migrated to the lo-fi demos of Native Korean Rock & The Fishnets (Karen O's brief side project). I've written about them before, so I won't waste too much time reiterating my appreciation of O's vocals, the rough, sweet quality of the recordings, or the clear sentimental heart that possesses these recordings. Just listen to "Day Go By" below:
Also, after reading that Kanye West was coming out with a new album some time this year, I was talking to my roommate about it, to which she asked, "Is that guy legit or is he just some privileged ass with a mic?" I told her, "Unfortunately, it's the latter." BUT, that doesn't mean the man isn't talented. Granted, I hate his personality and would rather him not speak ... EVER. However, listening to his music can be a mixed blessing. You can be blessed to get tracks like "Everything I Am," which are noted for their poignant reiterations of this man's character, or you can get 808s & Heartbreak, and who wants that? Regardless, I'm sure people will be excited if and when he decides to drop a new album. Until then, we still have everything else, including "Everything I Am."
That's all. PEACE.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
No Leaps This Year
Primal Scream ... Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Sacrilege" ...
It's been a hot hour since I've updated this little bloggy-blog, and that's completely my fault. Some great things have been a-brewing on the writing front in that I've secured a lovely position at The Weekly Alibi as a Copy Editor/Staff Writer. In keeping with tasteless self-promotion, keep an eye out for this next issue in which I have two articles (one for the Arts section and one for the Music section). Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get back to what we do best: MUSIC!
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have shared their first single from their upcoming record, titled Mosquito. I don't have a release date on-hand (my bad!), but the track is good ole Yeah Yeah Yeahs at work. You can hear Karen O's voice go from angelic and soft to thrashy and wild (which is what we love about her!). This track instills faith that they are still good at what they do and this upcoming album shouldn't be a disappointment. You can hear "Sacrilege" below:
Moving along ... I got into Primal Scream within the past couple of years (I know I've written about their '90s record, Psychedelica, a couple of times.) But, they've shared a new track from an upcoming album, More Light, that's scheduled to come out on May 13th. Now, besides the aforementioned album, and a performance I saw of them on Jools Holland with Alison Mosshart (of The Kills), I don't know too much about them, but if this track is anything to go by, this album will be purchased by yours truly. You can hear "2013" below:
That's all. PEACE.
It's been a hot hour since I've updated this little bloggy-blog, and that's completely my fault. Some great things have been a-brewing on the writing front in that I've secured a lovely position at The Weekly Alibi as a Copy Editor/Staff Writer. In keeping with tasteless self-promotion, keep an eye out for this next issue in which I have two articles (one for the Arts section and one for the Music section). Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get back to what we do best: MUSIC!
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have shared their first single from their upcoming record, titled Mosquito. I don't have a release date on-hand (my bad!), but the track is good ole Yeah Yeah Yeahs at work. You can hear Karen O's voice go from angelic and soft to thrashy and wild (which is what we love about her!). This track instills faith that they are still good at what they do and this upcoming album shouldn't be a disappointment. You can hear "Sacrilege" below:
Moving along ... I got into Primal Scream within the past couple of years (I know I've written about their '90s record, Psychedelica, a couple of times.) But, they've shared a new track from an upcoming album, More Light, that's scheduled to come out on May 13th. Now, besides the aforementioned album, and a performance I saw of them on Jools Holland with Alison Mosshart (of The Kills), I don't know too much about them, but if this track is anything to go by, this album will be purchased by yours truly. You can hear "2013" below:
That's all. PEACE.
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