I have often thought of my record collection, now mostly a compact disc collection, supplemented by the occasional download and maybe 100 vinyl LPs, as a kind of musical autobiography. Listening to records for me has always had the same kind of effect as looking through a photo album, or reading old journal entries. TheContinue reading “Notes Toward A Musical Autobiography: Volume I, Letter A”
Category Archives: Music
#140: I Was Raised By. . .
Another mentor text, this time the one we used with our freshmen, to inspire poetry about who or what we credit for “raising” us. The wonderful thing about using a mentor text, learning explicitly the moves of a writer we admire, is that all the 14 year olds end up writing these lively, effective poems.Continue reading “#140: I Was Raised By. . .”
Radio Silence (An Interview)
It’s been quiet around here on the Michael Jarmer blog. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Don’t think I haven’t wondered what had become of that guy who was wont to be so prolific with his blogging. Don’t think I haven’t worried about him just a bit. Well, me and this Michael Jarmer guy happen toContinue reading “Radio Silence (An Interview)”
#126: On Meeting Colin Meloy at the Beach
My friend and I walk down Laneda Avenue in Manzanita when his wife, also a friend of mine, calls the cell phone and says that Colin Meloy is inside the Cloud and Leaf signing books, and, like a teenager, I start running down the street. Having been earlier inside the bookstore, having thought about purchasingContinue reading “#126: On Meeting Colin Meloy at the Beach”
#118: The Boy Has Begun Practicing the Piano in Earnest
The boy has begun practicing the piano in earnest, without haranguing, without cajoling, when minecraft is not available, he sits down of his own accord and plays his excercises. A joy- ous occasion for mom and dad, who can see the beginnings of a fire burning for music, of which maybe they suspected was there,Continue reading “#118: The Boy Has Begun Practicing the Piano in Earnest”
#109: A Poem from Randomly Generated Song Titles
We wanted something more Pastoral but ended up with the Mother of Violence singing Mr. Blue’s Theme surrounded by the luminous Lights of New York. Nothing But Time, we thought, Great. No longer following the tao, Stuff is Way now, no sign today or any time soon of a True Original, no glowing Blue Moon, only aContinue reading “#109: A Poem from Randomly Generated Song Titles”
#107: Ode To Vinyl
The love poem for my dear wife is forthcoming, especially in light of all she’s been through lately. Need some time to get it right, though, so, today’s assignment from NaPoWriMo is to write a love poem for an inanimate object. Here’s to another love: Ode To Vinyl I was 23 and bought theContinue reading “#107: Ode To Vinyl”
#106: O Lorde
O Lorde, everyone and their dog is giving you kudos not only because your music is terrific but lately because of a tweet. You posted two pictures of yourself both taken from the same day and the same performance and one of them was photoshopped and the other was not. People thought this was braveContinue reading “#106: O Lorde”
#94: Hair
So, I’m almost 50 and I still think about my hair. I’ve written poems about my hair and here goes another one. I’m growing it out again– which I’m pleased to say, I’m still able to do, but embarrassed to say that I’ve given it this much thought. I’m revisiting (this time around) my hairContinue reading “#94: Hair”
#90: This Is Just To Say
(after William Carlos Williams again) I have mixed out the blue notes that you sang in the chorus which you probably intended but nevertheless sound wrong Forgive me they were terrible so sour and so far out. Note: Dear reader, you can probably tell I’m cheating. I’ve got to write 10 poems in 6Continue reading “#90: This Is Just To Say”
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