(no subject)
Jan. 2nd, 2010 05:14 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/books/01wetzsteon.html
Rachel Wetzsteon’s “Sakura Park”
The park admits the wind,
the petals lift and scatter
like versions of myself I was on the verge
of becoming; and ten years on
and ten blocks down I still can’t tell
whether this dispersal resembles
a fist unclenching or waving goodbye.
But the petals scatter faster,
seeking the rose, the cigarette vendor,
and at least I’ve got by pumping heart
some rules of conduct: refuse to choose
between turning pages and turning heads
though the stubborn dine alone. Get over
“getting over”: dark clouds don’t fade
but drift with ever deeper colors.
Give up on rooted happiness
(the stolid trees on fire!) and sweet reprieve
(a poor park but my own) will follow.
There is still a chance the empty gazebo
will draw crowds from the greater world.
And meanwhile, meanwhile’s far from nothing:
the humming moment, the rustle of cherry trees.
Rachel Wetzsteon’s “Sakura Park”
The park admits the wind,
the petals lift and scatter
like versions of myself I was on the verge
of becoming; and ten years on
and ten blocks down I still can’t tell
whether this dispersal resembles
a fist unclenching or waving goodbye.
But the petals scatter faster,
seeking the rose, the cigarette vendor,
and at least I’ve got by pumping heart
some rules of conduct: refuse to choose
between turning pages and turning heads
though the stubborn dine alone. Get over
“getting over”: dark clouds don’t fade
but drift with ever deeper colors.
Give up on rooted happiness
(the stolid trees on fire!) and sweet reprieve
(a poor park but my own) will follow.
There is still a chance the empty gazebo
will draw crowds from the greater world.
And meanwhile, meanwhile’s far from nothing:
the humming moment, the rustle of cherry trees.
By the way...
Dec. 15th, 2009 04:39 pmI'd like to wish the best of Christmas or Yule (or fill-in-the-blank) greetings to everyone on my FL. This morning, I made my annual donation to the George Street Soup Kitchen (http://www.georgestunitedchurch.com/newpage4.htm) in lieu of sending cards. They do a lot of good work, and the number of clients has increased greatly, so they need all the help they can get.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
(no subject)
Sep. 17th, 2009 12:00 pmExpecting flu assistance, reserves get body bags from Ottawa
This? I am without words. But shaking with rage.
Buffy Sainte-Marie wasn't - lyrics to "My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying" below the cut.
( Read more... )
This? I am without words. But shaking with rage.
Buffy Sainte-Marie wasn't - lyrics to "My Country 'Tis of Thy People You're Dying" below the cut.
( Read more... )
More people who died
Sep. 14th, 2009 10:54 pmPatrick Swayze dead
Road House is definitely one of my top guilty pleasure films - both for PS and the incomparable Jeff Healey. Now they're both gone.
I remember a roommate who had a big poster of PS (possibly fromDirty Dancing must have been The Outsiders, but I'm not sure...) on the ceiling, directly over her bed!
Yet again, RIP.
Road House is definitely one of my top guilty pleasure films - both for PS and the incomparable Jeff Healey. Now they're both gone.
I remember a roommate who had a big poster of PS (possibly from
Yet again, RIP.
Nick Cave on his new book
Sep. 11th, 2009 09:56 amI can't listen to this now, but am definitely saving it for later....
Of course, the date is of more note than the day.
First, the anniversaries:
It's
frankie_ecap's birthday!
It was my grandmother Russell's birthday, and is the anniversary of my grandfather Stead's death.
For many, many others, it is also an anniversary of note. The sadness we shared, the shock that was so apparent, have faded, but not gone away. But here's something with a little more hope: ever since 9/11, this lady has been searching for Don, who helped her on the day. Maybe someone can find him.
First, the anniversaries:
It's
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
It was my grandmother Russell's birthday, and is the anniversary of my grandfather Stead's death.
For many, many others, it is also an anniversary of note. The sadness we shared, the shock that was so apparent, have faded, but not gone away. But here's something with a little more hope: ever since 9/11, this lady has been searching for Don, who helped her on the day. Maybe someone can find him.
"The billboard had this written on it: "... a magnificent moment of Canadian TV was happening at the same time on MuchMusic. The Tragically Hip were doing an Intimate & Interactive that went on gloriously for hours. In the pouring rain, hundreds stood outside on Queen Street. Gord Downie, a man with more charisma in his little finger than any political leader and a greater understanding of Canada than all the Alliance candidates, was asked about misconceptions of Canada that he's encountered on the road. 'That Canadians aren't patriotic,' he said dryly. Then, in one of those spontaneous moments that only happen on TV, and happen cogently in the electronic Much arena, the crowd started singing O Canada. In salute to a rock 'n' roll band! It was a ragged rendition, but it cut to the heart of this country's culture, a culture alive and well at the corner of Queen and John in downtown Toronto - ahead by a century - and absent at that Alliance convention in Calgary. It was political and profound and made me thankful for television and the multi-channel universe, and the ironies it reveals." I was taken aback, because I wrote that for this newspaper. And it was true."
From John Doyle's column "When MuchMusicMattered" in today's Globe and Mail
From John Doyle's column "When MuchMusicMattered" in today's Globe and Mail