Pericope Snickersneed Indeed!

"Pericope?"

Yes, yes, I see --

You disagree

respectfully

with its presentee.



So "pericope"

will now flee

back to committee

a refugee

of poetry's

great reportee

(no guarantee

it will not flee

its conferees!)



Who could forsee

the great jubilee

of such a word spree?



Doug Behm

GREATNESS

During the reading of Susan Cheevers' American Bloomsbury, one phrase stayed with me. In the presence of greatness. And so, the obvious comes to mind. Greatness in my mind is first manifested in GOD but it also recently came to my attention when, as we drove into the yard today, we discovered a ‘new’ bird eating the Flowering Crabtree’s apples. Helen said she thought it was a Cedar Waxwing. What a thrill! we had not seen one for years and to think he was eating his lunch at our old tree. Speaking of being in the presence of greatness, Yes to see a simple bird in a tree makes one realize that at that moment greatness is with us. Just as the red berries on the Barberry Bush are there to cheer us each time we step out the front door; I am in awe each time I see the Great Blue Heron ease himself up from the little pond below the barn. I could think of lots more but you probably get the idea. When one is in the unencumbered position of concentrating on one great thing it pushes all the unimportant frivolities to one side. Awe is a good word to describe these feelings of another presence. I think we all have at one time had an awestruck happening in our lives. And, if we think about it we might be able to reach into a corner of memories and find one or two.




So greatness instills in us a feeling of awe and wonder. In trying to find other examples, I came upon the mountains, and glaciers of Switzerland and our own Alaska. I might even include man-made wonders the designers of which must have felt they were in the presence of greatness when the designs were developing. And too, our great authors, especially those who established a writing tradition in our country. They also believed they were in the presence of greatness. Ralph W. Emerson, his friends Thoreau, Hawthorne, Bronson Alcott, and Louisa. And so we arrive at that place in our personal world for isn’t it that greatness that guides our thinking and writing and communication with one another? Thanks be to GREATNESS.


JANE NEALE

Music and its charms

What better beginning for a short essay on music? Coined by William Congreve, in the Mourning Bride, 1697:

“Musick has charms to sooth a savage breast,
to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak?”



Do we realize all the things about music that we love? Maybe, but I was thinking about it yesterday and wondered if any of us realize the thoughts and talents that are necessary to compose or conduct a symphony or a concerto or even an oratorio. The words of direction that give music its personhood are also a large part of our enjoyment, Piano, pianissimo, andante, largo forte all Italian words that make our music what it is. I discovered this year why an early piano was called a pianoforte. It is because it was capable of playing piano and forte soft and loud.

How in the world did Beethoven know what he was creating? He had lost his hearing; did he know the notes so well that he heard them in his head? The Moonlight Sonata, in his head, what a blessing and even his Ninth Symphony that we sing in church as Joyful Joyful, we adore thee. And little old Mozart the genius at such an early time in his life. He remains a favorite to this day. It would be difficult to mention his name and not have it recognized. And the film Amadeus brought even more interest to the general public. And many other stories surround the lives of the composers. F or instance I did not know that Robert Schuman died in a mental hospital. He had tried from an early age to commit suicide so requested to be hospitalized. And Franz Joseph Haydn’s head was stolen after he died Chopin died of pulmonary turberculosis.



Do you leave classical music playing all night? It is a good way to unclutter a brain; making room for ideas that have lain dormant for too long. ..The saying, “music hath charms” was coined by William Congreve, in theMmourningBride, 1697:



What better beginning for an essay on music?

classical music as we know it has been invaded by some real genius. Stravinsky, Copeland* and some of the raucous modern stuff that we have had to learn to accept. The Beatles did make compositions that were more musical than noisy definitely contrasting with what I call noise of the present day. Speaking of Copeland, his Fanfare for the Common Man comes to mind with its trumpets so pure. What is your favorite instrument? I think woodwinds are purer as are the trumpets. Must admit to influence of wynton and Ellis Marsalis and their brasses who have almost brought American Jazz into the classical sphere.

Copeland’s *Ballet Rodeo. And Appalachian Spring too have almost made it. We also know that the film industry borrows regularly from the old composers for its background music in many films.

Speaking of jazz, it is a little tough to take unless you can hear the engineering it takes to play the instruments. There are many devotees of this branch of music and perhaps it is well-earned. Having roots in our country in the New Orleans tradition many of us have learned to appreciate it to a great degree particularly for the talents it exhibits.

The closed door

at the departure gate. 2006



A door closed.



A friend left.



How final was that closed door-



How sad to see the blank wood.



I knew it might be the last view of my friend,



And I hoped that the door would open; if not immediately then as if the friend had re-considered a departure.



But later that friend did not return to the empty space left in my life.



I became a friend without. But, I was ready;



No return, that door closed forever.

 
 
Jean Neale

The sinister minister from Westminster

The sinister minister from Westminster



Prayed heartily for our souls



He had no idea what he was doing



Our souls were contained in our minds and our bodies



But he was sure we were failing our duty to god



But what we were doing did not work for him



So he kept on with his spell



For sinister minister was not working for God



But worked for the devil in hell.



So we decided to take things in hand



And solve this old man’s dilemma



We fell to our knees rather than stand



And we prayed for him to be healed.



His ideas were confusing most of all to him



We had our hearts in our work



But he resisted he knew no better



He was sure our fate was sealed.



The sun came out and a miracle happened



He knew he was being defeated



We won the battle we were secure



The old devil in hell was unseated.



So the sinister minister lost his title



And now walks the straight and narrow



We are leading him away from



the way he got lost



And his eye is now on the sparrow[1]



JANE NEAL

Patterns in the River

Water over stone

Patterns ever changing



Sunshine and shadows

Blue sky reflections.




Wild mint by the shoreJoe Pye weed color



Cardinal flower adds a pleasing red

And rarity.




Blue bottle gentian

Respectfully nodding

From under the sweet fern



And the river still tumbles over stones

Unchanged and unchanging.


And they say, don’t look back .


but we always take one more look.


Jane Neale



May 16, 2004

THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM

THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM



WHOSE WEALTH WAS TEARS AND SORROWS



HIS MEN AT ARMS WERE LITTLE LAMBS,



HIS TRUMPETERS WERE SPARROWS;



HIS CASTLE WAS A WOODEN CROSS,



WHEREON HE HUNG SO HIGH;



HIS HELMET WAS A CROWN OF THORNS



WHOSE CREST DID TOUCH THE SKY

 
HENRY NEVILLE MAUGHAN