Haha, most of the time I actually feel like I’m living in an alternate universe. I don’t adhere to so many of this world’s ways. I find it hard to wrap my mind around the changing social, political and economic landscape. And since I’m willing to do the will of God, I’m constantly challenged to live in what feels like an an alternate universe.
I’m willing to do your will I’m living to live your love I’m serving the son to hear you one day say well done I’m willing to do your will ~ E.M.
Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.
As I took this prompt to heart, I found that whatever story I came upon enticed me to pray. As a man of faith I’m always drawn to pray when I hear or read a story. Either out of joy or concern, there always seems to be good reason to be in momentary prayer.
Peace lies in the heart of the believer Calm lies in the hands of compassion Love lies in the words of the one who’ll pray on, so pray on ~ E.M.
I’m curious as to how the world became so adverse to diversity. We live in a world that’s comprised of different views, different, likes and dislikes, lets call it different colors. And it’s all this diversity that creates all the beauty that surrounds us. If you start to pull the various colors out of the rainbow it’s not as brilliant anymore. My prayer would be that we’d find a connection to what we have in common, and relish in our creative differences.
Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
One of my favorite acts of kindness is to purchase happy meals for the homeless. Providing some nourishment and catching the smile is priceless. If there’s a problem, it’s that I don’t act on it enough.
I saw a shirtless boy with a bag of donuts Watching the sun come up As I passed him by between his next mouthful He smiled and asked wassup? I could see on his face the innocence behind his tired eyes I could hear in his voice the embarrassment beneath the worn out lies What I do, what I do What I do, what I do What I do, what I do What I do, what I do is immeasurable ~ E.M.
How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?
I’ve always had an affinity for the old black and white westerns from the late fifties and early sixties. So I’d like to think that being a cowboy in the badlands might describe who I am. After all what I do, will always speak louder than what I say.
You call me cowboy You call me cowboy in the badlands In the desert; in the barrens; in the wasteland ~ E.M.
What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?
Now that I think about it, I don’t think that I’ve dismissed any of my parents traditions… and that makes me smile. You would have thought that I’d have discounted at least a few, but that’s not the case. Then again I’m really big on passing along culture.
Silhouettes sprinkle the horizon As geese flock down below Children observe as they gather It’s the only world that they know ~ E.M.
Today was not typical as I had some dental work to be done. There’s nothing like a dentist appointment to put a wrinkle in your perfect day. Over the years I’ve adopted a line of thinking where I focus my attention on what I’m going to do after the disruptive wrinkles, instead of the wrinkles themselves. It seems to work for me, and it helps me keep things in perspective.
I’m a prayer whisperer in need of a Gethsemane wink; I’m a soul searcher seeking a sacred link; I’m a dust debtor desiring a divine drink; I’m a broken blessing believing on the brink; I’m a troubled temple treasuring a wink.
‘Za is the fourth single release from December’s Trioalbum. A sparse reimagining of the tradition trio setting.
This song has a metaphorically smiling lyric that should challenge the listener a bit. The title was actually from a magazine article that I had stumbled upon. I immediately recognized what I wanted to say, or maybe play with is a better explanation. I’m always looking for a way to stir up a listener’s imagination, and hopefully conjure up some emotional response from them. In this case, maybe even some abstract thinking.
Lyrics: Early in the morning, any time of day Any time’s a good time, any kind of way I can take it cold, any time at all It goes down easy, in the local church hall So tell me? Tell me, please? Won’t you tell me? How well do you know ‘Za?
If I had my way, I’d always have more More than may be normal, a note of folklore Some cry, ‘oh no!, you can’t do that!’ Preaching to the misfit, like some green-eyed cat So tell me? Tell me, please? Oh won’t you tell me? How well do you know ‘Za?
Don’t give me substitutes, don’t give me theories No hypothetical miniseries Just give me a slice, a verse or two Yeah, I’m a greek guy, but any version will do
I go traditional, I go New York I go with fold it, or a knife and fork I don’t go judging, so don’t judge me Just offer me a bite, and let my manna be So tell me? Tell me, please? Won’t you tell me? How well do you know ‘Za?
A combination of things brought this song to life rather quickly. It was a year ago February (Black History Month), when I was inspired by the poem, ‘As I Grew Older‘ by Langston Hughes. The softening of time touched a nerve within me and I felt the need to comment on it, and so I did.
Musically as 2022 arrived I had been taking a deep dive into the organ trio Blicher, Hemmer, Gadd and their album, ‘Omara.’ Recalling a season quite a way back where I played 300 some dates in an organ trio, this arrangement became an outcome of the many smoke filled nights from that different world. I truly believe that when we write, perform, and listen to music it seeps deep into our soul and often needs some time to brew down there before creatively rising up in a new form.
The studio process was seamless, it really was uneventful other than my rather large grin that continued to grow through the sessions. There’s no excess on the whole Trio project, just the essentials.
I should add as a clarification that I included the DR in the title, ‘The DReam’ to honor Dr. Martin Luther King.
Lyrics: A long, long time ago So long ago I’ve forgotten A notion filled my mind A dream divinely begotten But suddenly a distance appeared Vanquished, the dream disappeared
A long, long shadow Grew ever longer every day In the darkness I struggled Contentious in my way But nothing by chance impressed The dream dimmed and was suppressed
My credence, my steadfast credence Strengthened my enchanted moonbeam My journey will not be abandoned Providence will shelter the dream
A long, long tomorrow As long as the aim can see Good fortune will indwell me I’ve been reassured lovingly That in the cards works a love supreme A love that’ll ascertain the dream
Works 