only write about that which is eternal

I write this with a BIC pen, with it's open sores

and it's transparent gauge of emptiness. I stepped on one last Saturday. I can still

hear the crack as if the untold-ness of worship was crying out: Malcolm's last speech at that theater in

Chi.

Fred Astaire wanting to sing, not dance, till the end. So you won't believe me

when I tell you this. That once, before the short, Bengali  man gave to me

white, illegible secrets to hand to the pharmacist,

old people went into the woods and dug at the base of fallen trees. Whatever roots or moss

just happened to crawl into their aprons, it was boiled and it's soaked rags

were placed on the stomach of the pregnant child.

Or whipped into froth and placed on the scalp of the dana with ringworm. Or drank

down quickly with sweetened coffee and cinnamon if the fever was a stubborn one.

But afterwards you were cured (saved).

So you went on with life. Mortgages. Bad water heaters. Balding neighbors. Women who wouldn't

plant gardens. You ate pig meat and eggs from chickens who's feet never touch

gravel or leaf. And someone had to confirm to you that "free range" was

a thing of beauty. Then you died.

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

I don't undrstand how you place all these things together and make them work. Make them come into art and speak. It is beyond me. That does not mean I cannot take the whole and see it for what it is. A true set of life experiences that teach, enthrall and liberate if I am honest. You are unique my dear friend.

[h d e rushin]

thank you my dearest Ken for those kind words.. It's morning here in Michigan which probably means it is 4:pm there.....But good morning to you.......dana

[Ken Simm.]

And good rainy afternoon to you Dana. And you are more than welcome. Those are not kind words they are the truth as I see it.

[CD Campbell]

I have eight chickens at my place and I built a 40' by 30' run for them to frolic to their hearts content. It is a thing of wonder to watch my rooster, "Dickhead", stand up to my German Shepard right on the fence line without any fear in his heart. Free range can be a thing of beauty. But it's about to be the center of hell for them if the hens don't start laying soon. We use to have old witches around who use to cure warts with tobacco spit and a few choice words. The only thing I know that is eternal are great words from a great poet and the constant struggle we face that changes masks but never changes it's punishment on us. I love your work. CD

[h d e rushin]

thank you so much CD. Fascinating story to say the least. I have heard of (in cartoons mostly)
but have never seen a live rooster. I have heard their morning call to arms since a Mong community (Chinese Laotians) live just a few minutes from me and they have chickens
even though it's against city ordinance to do so. I have heard that roosters can be kind of territorial and jealous of his hens, pecking and scratching at the eyes of anyone or anything that might threaten them. Hence it is true that the opposite sex will make you crazy.

Thank you for those kind remarks my friend..My only wish is that i could write as often as i want to.........dana

[CD Campbell]

I wish you could too, but you would make the rest of us look stupid. So thanks for holding back so the rest of us could shine once in a while.

[W.k.kortas]

I almost--almost, mind you--laughed at the Bic-pen opening, but what is more open, more truthful than those old clear Bics which tell you what they are and, more telling, what they have left to give? While there are cultural touchstones here (and who else would dare juxtapose Malcolm X and Astaire, let alone pull it off), there are the most elemental and mundane things, the water heaters gone bad and free range before it was a thing. It is life its ownself as it ruts and sings, and it may just be the finest damn thing you've ever done.

[h d e rushin]

you do me proud W.k. And I am humbled in you're presence........thank you my friend....dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the emptiness and non-fulfillment in some people's lives is so sad...

they survive, and that is about it...nothing to really elate them...to cheer them, to think life is beauty...

yet there is beauty within these people because they do what they have to do to make it as long as they can...

strong words , dana...

j.

[h d e rushin]

so true jacob...in "Grapes of Wrath" the movie, John Ford wanted to capture the purity of
a broken people. People doing what they had to do to survive. Some did survive while others didn't (couldn't).

Thank you dear brother for those kind remarks.....and good morning to you

[Jonathan W]

"women who wouldn't plant gardens" is a sweet line. shame we must struggle to know our surroundings that so many before us knew so intimately ... but it is "luxury" i guess?

[h d e rushin]

thank you so much Jonathan W for those kind words my friend........and good morning to you...dana