tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post2157969037126433273..comments2023-12-27T22:26:20.552-05:00Comments on synch-ro-ni-zing: My mother tells me it was goodRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-76140850873813215832011-06-03T14:03:30.488-04:002011-06-03T14:03:30.488-04:00Whoosh ... more than a little of the needle's ...Whoosh ... more than a little of the needle's whiteout (in the style of the cool jazzmen of the Fifties) to encounter, so late, this rush of poem ... But then all of my discoveries in music have stood on the shoulders of other -- I've arrived here, by way of so many other songs .... Finding your way back to your mother in this piano jazz song -- and so hearing, in her first technique in your ear, vibrations of the jazzman playing in the present: time and space really don't exist along this halcyon precipice, do they? <br /><br />Somehow along my path my tastes morphed, from playing music to writing poems, from rock guitar to jazz piano, from blondes to auburns, from wildness to serenity. I found Bill Evans through Lyle Mays through Jimmie Page through the toy guitar I used to serenade Big Toad when I was 3, when I was singing "You've Got To Believe In Spring" in my mother tongue (she had a sea-voice before it got lost in a church-voice). <br /><br />Great, great poem; it's so hard to write in words about what precisely happens in music, but that caeusra of <em>a drop from an icicle melting in the sun / that falls the moment just after you know you want it</em> couldn't be closer to my kind of blue. - BrendanBrendanhttp://blueoran.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-66410711132100297002010-10-18T20:41:31.438-04:002010-10-18T20:41:31.438-04:00Ruth,
I started out blogging to sort of journey t...Ruth, <br />I started out blogging to sort of journey to forgiveness during Lent. And I did "put myself out there" a few times and received nothing but compassion and connections. It was and still is incredible. Some of my readers have been with me almost from the beginning .<br />But now I worry, only because of course the stories I have to tell are not mine alone. And my memories are not the whole picture. There have been a few people encouraging me to share in a memoir type way and I agree that it is my truth and could help people, as well as bring more healing and understanding to myself. Yet. I am stuck . I think we should move on... but . Yet. <br />Sorry for the ramble. I've been troubled about all of this lately so you're getting bits of my self talk.<br /><br />hugs to you for "listening"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924061349390319473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-36041952028808360072010-10-18T08:15:58.370-04:002010-10-18T08:15:58.370-04:00Deb, thank you so much. It means a lot to me that ...<b>Deb</b>, thank you so much. It means a lot to me that this was powerful for you. Sometimes I wonder about sharing more intimate journeys here at the blog. But if and when someone connects and finds solace or understanding, it feels like a good thing.<br /><br />I hope that when you attempt to go into that raw place, you will have support for the journey.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-75501205224587765662010-10-18T08:13:52.256-04:002010-10-18T08:13:52.256-04:00Thank you, Mystic. It is something to contemplate,...Thank you, <b>Mystic</b>. It is something to contemplate, how we will be viewed by our children. I think about it now, and I am sobered and humbled by my many mistakes. I hope they will remember me through different filters.<br /><br />:)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-34081189246065947892010-10-18T08:12:38.886-04:002010-10-18T08:12:38.886-04:00Susie, those are lovely thoughts, my friend. I'...<b>Susie</b>, those are lovely thoughts, my friend. I'm afraid my mother's thoughts were caged. It's nice to imagine how things might have been for her.<br /><br />Another Dave Brubeck fan, great!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-39923532631373874352010-10-18T06:47:09.681-04:002010-10-18T06:47:09.681-04:00Ruth,
I read and reread.
(I will listen later wh...Ruth, <br />I read and reread. <br />(I will listen later when the house is quiet again.. my daughter is up already, )<br /><br />regardless of the fact that I know little of jazz , <br />this <br />this was so incredibly powerful. I always hesitate to let myself go into that mother/daughter place because it is so raw for me still. But I trusted your journey back and in and forward would no doubt reveal even more of your elegance and gift for imagery so I was completely wowed. I hope you share more as you work your way through this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924061349390319473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-76977830730333207272010-10-15T12:30:57.498-04:002010-10-15T12:30:57.498-04:00While I don't know anything of the background,...While I don't know anything of the background, I haven't been introduced to Jazz properly yet, I love this poem. The way you captured the sudden deep connection to your mother's spirit as it was then :) . Amazing how it flows with such depth and sensitivity through out.<br /><br /><br />It also makes me wonder what my children will remember about their childhood, and the importance of sharing our love for finer things with them :)mystic rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05125795139102746210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-24087750984724843842010-10-15T06:21:02.661-04:002010-10-15T06:21:02.661-04:00Ruthie, I'm imagining that your mother was the...Ruthie, I'm imagining that your mother was the Diana Krall of her time. Your ode to her was perfection and I can also imagine her writing and playing music to fit it. <br /><br />The band director at our high school always used to play "Take Five" for us. It was my introduction to Dave Brubeck and a life-long appreciation of his music.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201860227400017841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-66207167080585788102010-10-14T04:42:37.994-04:002010-10-14T04:42:37.994-04:00Margaret, I knew you were talking about your mom.
...<b>Margaret</b>, I knew you were talking about your mom.<br /><br />Your excellent comment reminds me of a piece of wisdom I heard along the way, while raising our kids, which is that a parent doesn't have to answer a child's question with more than they want to know. The adult perspective sometimes thinks we have to divulge every living detail. I've learned (the hard way), that there are some things our kids don't need, or want to know.<br /><br />My brother began recording Mom and Dad at some point to get their stories documented - their histories and things like that. I'm interested in those things. But now I'm more interested in what shaped who they were? But since they are not here to ask, that contemplation is becoming an imagined memoir, and of course it's about how who they were shaped, and shapes, me. Hope that makes sense.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-1968179502880380102010-10-14T04:35:42.938-04:002010-10-14T04:35:42.938-04:00Loring, I can see you recording yours!! I hope so....<b>Loring</b>, I can see you recording yours!! I hope so.<br /><br />The farm tells me it was wonderful to see you too.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-61282949965664550182010-10-13T23:17:06.343-04:002010-10-13T23:17:06.343-04:00When I say "my mothers love is so deep and wi...When I say "my mothers love is so deep and wise..." Not talking about me here, but my 80+ year old mother who is still very much alive and well.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-66673757180544386212010-10-13T23:14:16.156-04:002010-10-13T23:14:16.156-04:00Life is funny. When we are young, our mothers do t...Life is funny. When we are young, our mothers do tell us many things - some things we are too young to understand or they go in one ear and out the other. I often think if I had been more observant I might have been able to catch the deeper meaning (of things said and not said). As we get older and reflect, so many questions arise (at least for me) and I realize my mothers love is so very deep, so wise, and a bit guarded... Guarded in that she is hesitant to share certain things and I wonder if it is to not tarnish the "image" or they are too painful for her. I know my children (especially the older ones) ponder life and ask many questions - not all needing answers, of course. I hesitate at times - how much of myself do I reveal... how much do they need to find out for themselves. Well, I loved your poem and I am new to poetry - not sure if I am even on the right track... All of our experiences make us who we are - interesting to ponder the idea that the things we "run away" from or banish might still be detectable in the things we do...Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-2826498560068338762010-10-13T22:40:05.893-04:002010-10-13T22:40:05.893-04:00These are so powerful read in a podcast. Now you&...These are so powerful read in a podcast. Now you're getting me inspired.... So wonderful to see the farm Saturday, too....Loring Wirbelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11764834150305763077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-88669192274670371012010-10-13T12:35:39.728-04:002010-10-13T12:35:39.728-04:00Hello, and welcome, Robert. Thank you for your won...Hello, and welcome, <b>Robert</b>. Thank you for your <i>wonderful!</i> comment! I am so grateful. Thank you for sitting with me at this stop on my "solitary walk" . . . which doesn't feel so solitary at the moment.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-72720214439722185642010-10-13T12:33:09.625-04:002010-10-13T12:33:09.625-04:00Oh, Jeanie, thank you so very much, my friend, for...Oh, <b>Jeanie</b>, thank you so very much, my friend, for your incredible vote of confidence.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-69684488948992898092010-10-13T10:52:21.008-04:002010-10-13T10:52:21.008-04:00Wow, Ruth, that poem was quite wonderful! You have...Wow, Ruth, that poem was quite wonderful! You have a gift. It reverberates in the mind and down the spine - long after the icicle has melted. Well done.The Solitary Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11284354541952038339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-46390493416168364552010-10-13T10:36:43.823-04:002010-10-13T10:36:43.823-04:00Please send this to New Yorker. Or Garrison Keillo...Please send this to New Yorker. Or Garrison Keillor. Or someplace, somewhere, because it is the most wonderful poem. Eloquent, simple, heartfelt, and absolutely lovely.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-48157911867104945702010-10-13T05:01:36.927-04:002010-10-13T05:01:36.927-04:00Oh hello, dear Peter. I am so happy to see you bac...Oh hello, dear <b>Peter</b>. I am so happy to see you back. Welcome, dear friend. I hope you are doing well.<br /><br />Thank you for your kind words about the poem, those lines, and hearing my voice. I hope we can hear each other in person one day, while we go for a very long stroll in Montmartre, in the warm October sun.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-34367095408316083842010-10-13T04:52:54.924-04:002010-10-13T04:52:54.924-04:00Hi, Babs, thank you, that's good to hear, both...Hi, <b>Babs</b>, thank you, that's good to hear, both that you like my accent (I have an accent?) and that I sound like I look. It does make sense, and there is some relief in that. :)<br /><br />I have recorded many poems that are at that site, so have a listen. Several were first posted here in the blog these last couple years, and some are older. I'll try to eventually get all the ones up that I think are worth a listen. What's interesting is that I also feel differently about them, hearing them, like meeting old friends.<br /><br />And soon we get to hear Mo sing at yours!!!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-68297025705046010882010-10-13T04:42:32.296-04:002010-10-13T04:42:32.296-04:00Dear Oliag, we must be the same in this, because h...Dear <b>Oliag</b>, we must be the same in this, because hearing a poem read, and reading it several times, is helpful to comprehension and feeling.<br /><br />I'm glad it was good. That is a fine pronouncement, sort of like my mother's, in the title of this poem. There is light in <i>good</i>. Thank you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-83618926611348903692010-10-13T04:38:17.118-04:002010-10-13T04:38:17.118-04:00My dear Dutchbaby, it's so good to see you. I ...My dear <b>Dutchbaby</b>, it's so good to see you. I missed you. I imagine you have been into some very good galavanting.<br /><br />Well, I think you might have nailed it. Based on what I know of her, you must be right. I don't think you love jazz, and then stop loving it, just because you feel it's "wrong". I also think that she turned from it because of its associations with another life, a life that she came to believe was outside those borders you spoke of.<br /><br />Thank you, and rauf, for Dave Brubeck. My Internet is spazzy this morning, but the bits I've got loaded of "Take Five" and have heard (grrrr, not at all like that drop that drops the moment after you want it, more like it just won't ever drop, dammit! Load . . . Load . . . see Bill Murray coaxing here . . . ) are quite recognizable to me! So apparently I'm familiar with him, but not by name. That's changed now. So smoooooth.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-79563861029360675872010-10-13T04:08:04.910-04:002010-10-13T04:08:04.910-04:00I don't know what to add... You have got all k...I don't know what to add... You have got all kinds of compliments and you more than worthy of them! I was also especially struck by the lines that Claudia quotes. Such a perfect image! ... and of course to listen to your voice!PeterParishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694538476960957295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-32466037019560434442010-10-12T19:13:09.776-04:002010-10-12T19:13:09.776-04:00That was beautiful when I read it, but even more b...That was beautiful when I read it, but even more beautiful when I listened to it. What a lovely accent you have. I think you sound like you look. Does that make sense? :)<br /><br />I wish you always did your poems as a podcast.Babs-beetlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10309239308633895951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-7213338869468093632010-10-12T16:14:09.228-04:002010-10-12T16:14:09.228-04:00I first want to mention that I love the additions ...I first want to mention that I love the additions of the podcasts to hear you recite your own poems. Poetry so needs to be a spoken art for me...even when I am trying to read a new poem in a NYer magazine I find I have to say it out loud...then I will think "Oh yes!"...or not. Anyways I feel it is a gift to be able to hear the poet speak her own words.<br /><br />And the poem? As usual I don't have the words to describe how the poem made me feel...but it was good. We spend our whole lives discovering new layers to our mothers. Your poem is beautiful.GailOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556665956317683667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-92036026672963474082010-10-12T14:58:46.267-04:002010-10-12T14:58:46.267-04:00Thank you for this spine-tingling and spine-meltin...Thank you for this spine-tingling and spine-melting poem, Ruth. <br /><br />I'm not sure jazz is loved by all, but I think there's a good chance your mother loved jazz. I think of jazz as violating borders while staying true to the line of the music. From the posts I've read about your mother, I get the sense that she concentrated on staying within the borders of her religion, never daring to go beyond them for fear of losing control. She may have feared that jazz may have triggered a loss of control.<br /><br />I love that your mother is now speaking to you in jazz.<br /><br />***<br /><br />At the top of my jazz playlist is my favorite jazz song, Dave Brubeck's "Take Five". One of my all-time most memorable concert moments was in the spring of 2008, when I heard Dave Brubeck, at age 88, play "Take Five" with David Benoit. I will always cherish that crystalline night under the stars at Villa Montalvo a few miles south of here. Here's a clip from 1961:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwNrmYRiX_o&feature=related<br /><br />Every note is perfection.Dutchbabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844296297519447526noreply@blogger.com