Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod 2/7/13 - 3/1/13

Honoring Clay January (Lightning Rod) RIP 2/6/2013
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To honor our site members who are no longer with us.
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Doreen Peri
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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod until March 1st

Post by Doreen Peri » February 28th, 2013, 1:08 pm

moving forward
the inchworm makes
its way from one second
to one minute to one hour
to one day
all things meaningful
take time

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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod until March 1st

Post by Doreen Peri » February 28th, 2013, 3:26 pm

.
.
The Events

In the first event, you up and left us, you crazy cat!
Why did you go and do a thing like that?

And then there was a second event where the bereft
and celebratory gathered, some of us with tear-stained
cheeks, weaker than the strong, many expressing joy
and festive honor for you, sir, getting along quite fine
as it were, and we dined on music which spilled
into the room, hearts overflowing, fully filled —

Most acceptant, others reticent and no-one heard
the lyrics I sang … too soon too soon too soon.
Not a soul who was in the room could hear me singing
off key, but you know me, I sing anyway.
Oh what a day that day was, the event when you weren't
there but many said you were.

Is there are cure for this grieving?
He only wanted you to be happy,
my daughter keeps saying.
Don't cry. Don't cry. He used to
come to me to ask me how
to make you happy
if only you'd allow it, she said.

I wanted to be there next to you when you left us
in that cruel bed. That would have made me happy,
I said to her. And now I ask you is there any cure
for me? I often wish it was me who was set free,
not you. You had so many more important things to do!

I wrote this as I sat alone in the room full of people.

I wanted to use the phone to call you up and ask
you to come but some said you were already there
and where was your number, anyway?
I'm always too late. It's just the way my fate
was planned, I guess. I wanted to use the phone
and invite you to come home.

This is what I wrote. Word for word, note for note,
it's part of how I spent my time during the gathering event.
Where did you go? Where have you went?
I never was adept at grammar. Did you leave me a
hammer for my head? It hurts too much, I try too hard.
These are things you always said.

The ones who were there loved you, dear,
and still do. But where are you?
Are you playing keyboard with Gabriel?
Are you able again to play the flute?
Have you met some darling and cute little angels
up there in outer space? Is it true about the aliens?
Did they welcome you as you expected?
When, pray tell, will you be resurrected?

Minstrels were singing the blues.
You've payed your dues and there are
sixteenth notes embedded on the tabletops.
What happens when the music stops
or does it never stop? Of course it never stops.
Are you able to read this?
Do you feel my kiss on your forehead?
You're gone now, yes, but nothing about you
will ever be dead, and yet I can't find the number
to call. Nothing makes any sense at all.

Do you know everything now?
What happens at the end of the show?
Did you take a gallant bow?
I'm sure you did and when you received your applause,
God took a breath, a perfect pause,

and then He said,
"It's a wrap," tapped his foot to the beat and
everyone clapped, Zappa made an appearance
and the train rolled out.
All God's children lemme hear you shout:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

You're now the ultimate outlaw, just as you wanted.
Nobody can find you. Somehow you've escaped,
no Superman cape necessary, the very daring you,
slipping completely out of view!
And oh how I miss you inside below above!
You were the essence of love, pure and wise,
lyrical peace shining from your eyes.

In the first event, you up and left us, you crazy cat!
Why did you go and do a thing like that?

In the second event, we gathered to remember.
I'd love to come see you next September
when the summer cools down and autumn comes nigh.
May I look again into the poet's eyes?
.
.

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Doreen Peri
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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod until March 1st

Post by Doreen Peri » February 28th, 2013, 8:20 pm

And so, do any of you have any more poetry to add to this honorary jam? If not, I will close it out as it's March 1st somewhere.

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judih
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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod 2/7/13 - 3/1/13

Post by judih » March 1st, 2013, 12:24 am

a blank verse
an empty rhyme
always a breath away

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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod until March 1st

Post by judih » March 1st, 2013, 12:25 am

Doreen Peri wrote:And so, do any of you have any more poetry to add to this honorary jam? If not, I will close it out as it's March 1st somewhere.
In the jewish tradition, there is an official week of mourning and then a resumption of normal routines....but after 30 days, there is a regathering of friends and family to share thoughts at the 'gravesite'. We could regather here in 30 days, to share our feelings.

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Doreen Peri
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Re: Poetry Jam in honour of Lightning Rod 2/7/13 - 3/1/13

Post by Doreen Peri » March 1st, 2013, 12:31 am

That's a good idea Judih, thanks. I like that tradition. This has already been three weeks. I'll lock the jam for now and we'll talk about the 30-day tradition later.

Also, the entire forum will be open continually.

As for me? I've decided I'm just going to keep pretending he's still alive. That's what I need to do for now. Maybe he just moved out of the country or something. ;)

Funny how the mind works.

........

Thanks to everyone for taking part in the poetry jam to honor Lightning Rod. He really loved Studio8 and was very fond of you guys.

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