R. I. P. Tom Hayden

Too soon gone for sure; it's sad to note the passing of icon Tom Hayden.  I'll admit I really didn't know all that much about him, but reading the articles recounting his life in the wake of this loss for all of us really gave me an appreciation of his contributions.

He really was a fighter and true advocate for left/ progressive causes.  He kept up his activism throughout his days. He was committed to working for peace, racial justice, economic and social justice, and was also concerned about environmental causes.

The Guardian has a good overview of his life.  I first learned of his death via a report on commondreams.org, which is my homepage.

Their article is fairly short, but is worth reading.  This quote still rings true today:

"If we appear to seek the unattainable, as it has been said, then let it be known that we do so to avoid the unimaginable," reads the conclusion of the Port Huron manifesto, which Hayden drafted in 1962 for the leftist organization Students for a Democratic Society.

Included in the common dreams report are some tweets memorializing Mr. Hayden.  I really love this one from a John Nichols:  "Tom Hayden sought a multi-racial, anti-sexist, LGBTQ-embracing radical movement that anticipated our best politics."  That sounds very much what I so often advocate right here!

So Rest in Peace, Tom Hayden.  You really fought the good fight.

Too Much Deja Vu

Too Much Deja Vu

Too much deja vu
Two more fatalities
Playbook we've seen before,
Way too often
Where is the lesson learned?
For after marches, studies, settlements,
After tears and red-faced bitterness,
After too little accountability and progress,
We are confronted with two more senseless tragedies
Which indict us as they ask:
When will this end?
... Rest in Peace, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile

A Poem for Bowie

I've been wondering about writing a poem dedicated to Bowie (I often think of him like that as years ago his songs used to be introduced as say, "Changes" - Bowie. (Note, do radio stations even introduce songs anymore? I sometimes have a hard time finding out just what an unfamiliar song is or who its artist might be.)

So the idea has been percolating for a while, and finally, I have been able to get a result.

Moonlit Resonance
Serious Moonlight tonight
Shooting stars overhead
Like pieces of time in flight
Starlights toggling on and off in tempo
Matching the vibrations of the music
Escaping gravity into the Universe’s flow
Does this night go on endlessly,
The rhythms, the lights, pulsing in the dark,
Floating around the planet unhurriedly?
But dark canopy slowly is withdrawn 
Waking daylight starts to claim the sky
Time to turn and face the dawn
 …….dedicated to David Bowie

Wooden Ships/Paul Kantner/'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now'

As I write this, today is Friday, 1/29.  I probably won't post this YET, hoping that I might actually get some reaction to the "Outrageous" post.  Sorry if this one may ramble a bit, but hey, there ARE threads to follow!

Yesterday (Thursday) I heard a song by Jefferson Starship - "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" that I haven't heard on the radio for some time.  I like it - pretty peppy and fairly uplifting lyrics - so it was good to hear it again.

Then today we found out that Paul Kantner, a founder of Jefferson Airplane has died.  It just struck me as though there must have been some sort of synchronicity at work there yesterday, even if Mr. Kantner wasn't in the JS lineup at the time of the aforementioned song.  

Turns out "NGSUN"  was co-written by one Albert Hammond.  I certainly remember him, the singer/songwriter of "It Never Rains in California" - a big hit during my college years.  Oh, and I often played THAT one on piano.  Turns out he also co-wrote "The Air That I Breathe", a hit for The Hollies.  Not a favorite song of mine, but I didn't realize he had a hand in it until now.  He also had a hand in many other hits - and for many artists.

Also, it turns out that Paul Kantner was a co-author of  "Wooden Ships", which was recorded by Jefferson Airplane and by Crosby Stills, and Nash.  WOW.  I hadn't thought of that song in YEARS.  I well remember listening to the CS and N version. Yeah, I have it around here somewhere, but you know how it is...  So I checked out a couple of videos and looked up the lyrics.  Some not bad, but there's the one verse...  So I think I'll just tuck it away again for now.

It is so sad that we're losing so many wonderful musical icons - like Bowie and now Kantner.  I love the comment following the above article by dj ranger.  Yes, we've seen a real classic era in music and we're losing so many of the talents that propelled it.  I think there are some commenters at The Guardian who agree that we're just not seeing artists of the same caliber today.  I TOTALLY agree with that. From what I hear of more contemporary music, I've definitely not been impressed.  

It speaks well for Kantner that many who met him have posted such great memories of meeting him - as well as accolades for his music.  Yes, he will definitely be missed.

Rest in Peace, Paul

Rest In Peace, David Bowie

There was no way I couldn't write this memorial.  When I saw the headline that David Bowie had just passed away, I was just  - shocked.  I literally 'screamed' at my monitor, "WHAT?"  Of course The Guardian has a GREAT appreciation/ article.

Being a boomer, of course, Bowie was integral to the fabric of music of my  high school and college days.  Really, I wasn't a HUGE Bowie fan (though I did have friends who were), but certainly someone whose music I often enjoyed and whom I did respect as an artist (and I think I have some Bowie vinyl somewhere...)

I can definitely remember playing his most famous song, Space Oddity, on the piano.  It was one that EVERYBODY knew.  But probably my favorite Bowie song is Suffragette City.  In younger days I always seemed to have a great time when that song was on the playlist.  Yes, I guess Bowie was indeed a link to our youth, even though he kept experimenting.  And one more great Bowie memory - his appearance with Bing Crosby one Christmas time when they sang "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth."  That is one of my most favorite Christmas recordings and I wish every person on the PLANET would take its message to heart!

So heartfelt condolences to his family, love to his fans, and thanks for the great music. David, you will be missed here, but keep the music going on the other side.

And I leave with links to two Bowie videos:

Suffragette City                     and              Space Oddity         (just be careful of ads in the vids...)


Rest in Peace, David.

For Paris...

... and for Mali, as well. What is there to offer in the wake of these attacks but our prayers? Prayers for the victims, their families, the cities.

A candle for those prayers...

Charleston Elegy

The horrific event in Charleston, SC. that left nine dead is so incredibly sad.  I just cannot, cannot, understand why anyone would enter ANY HOUSE of WORSHIP to murder those just wanting to connect with their spirituality.  It's so twisted, my head just doesn't want to wrap around that demented thought and action.

Now that the victims are known, we must remember them and pray for them to rest in peace and pray for comfort for their families in what has to be an unbelievably brutal time for them.  The Guardian has a good report on the victims.

The youngest victim, Tywanza Sanders, was among other things, a fellow poet.  So a poem is called for:

Elegy for Nine in Charleston

May their names and spirits ascend like holy incense,
The victims of horror in an historic House of Prayer
Their shortened lives filled with purpose and meaning
Their devotion to faith and community created ripples
Their hopes and wishes have turned to shooting stars
Their memories now linger in hearts and minds
Of those who can only ask 'Why?'
As their tears freely fall
Uniting many in grief

...dedicated to the memories of: Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, Ethel Lance, Susie Jackson, Depayne Middleton Doctor, Rev. Dr. Daniel Simmons, Myra Thompson... and to their surviving families and friends

Our Musical Losses...

How sad that B. B. King has died.  He was 89 and certainly had a great life and career.  Still, it's a great loss for all music lovers.  

I didn't get to post about Ben E. King's death some days ago (in NJ no less), but that was also very sad.  How can you not love "Stand By Me?"

NPR reported on B. B. King's passing just a short time ago.  Here is the bbc.com article memorializing  Ben E. King. 

I guess the very best way to memorialize these great musicians is to keep their music alive.

So:

a video of The Thrill is Gone - B. B. King

a video of Stand By Me - Ben E. King singing

and for the "heck" of it:  video of Stand By Me - John Lennon covering

These three music men are certainly greatly missed.  May they rest in peace and keep the music going in the next world.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Angelou

I'm so saddened today about the passing of our premier poet, Maya Angelou.  She was an extraordinary poet and an extraordinary woman.

As a poet myself, I recognize her literary talent and achievements as truly special.  She was definitely gifted as shown by her autobiographical books and her collections of poetry.  She truly rose from her troubled childhood to be a foremost practitioner of her craft.

She enriched us all and we are also poorer for her loss.

Rest in Peace, Ms. Angelou and keep your expressive spirit active somewhere in the greater cosmos.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Mandela

We simply must take a moment to note the passing of Nelson Mandela, former Pres. of South Africa, fighter against apartheid, and architect of reconciliation.

He certainly led an extraordinary life.   He met his challenges with both courage and grace.  He led a full life, yet still his passing is not one anyone could really have been prepared for.  All over the world his passing has been met with not only grief and mourning, but also celebrations of his life and legacy.

ABC World News Tonight on their special broadcast said he truly changed the world.  Indeed.  He showed how individuals and groups can harness power and make positive changes.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Mandela. Take your rest knowing you will be missed and not forgotten.