Dick. Oh my God, man. Fuck. What is art if not this - my love for one song leading to this cover, which shook tears from these eyes. I've been wrestling recently with how to truly connect on Substack, how to bypass the numbers the glimmering hearts - how to feel like you really feel the person on the other side of the screen is with you, and you them. I love this, and you, and will be looping this when writing my next piece of writing.
Thank you so, so much for the way this made me feel.
Damn Jim - so touched by yr kind words. Read them as I drifted off to sleep last night and they stayed with me! I agree so much - what else is art for if not inspiring one another. I loved your poem so much, and this tune - and I wanted to find a way to express that full circle of connection - and here we are. It makes me so happy you connected with this - and that you’ll use some of the energy I put into it to forge some new words. Love that so much. Lots of love to you as well 💜 and for reaching out. You’ve made my week, for real. And yeah - I know what you mean about wanting to fully connect with people here, and how to get past the screen and like-farming haha.
So yeah - thank you for the way yr poem and comment made me feel too. A big glowing warmth.
Ohhhh - ok, I don’t know much Bon Iver but I do really love one of his songs - I’ll give him a listen and see if something sings out :-) great suggestion!
YES Dick - pure love and heart-surge. Let’s keep creating what fills us with light and reasons to give a shit when the easier route is to check-out. Always here.
I am working on a collection of my poetry through the years working with an editor right now the goal is not necessarily publication not at this point anyway. maybe will bring chapbook out couple of chapbooks but the goal is really to edit and bring it all together.
Ah wonderful! It is such a good experience to gather together all your own poetry into a collection, whether or not it is published. I periodically do this - edit all the poems I have written in a given period into a book. Most of them are unpublished, but it really helps to see them all in one place, and to be able to see what kind of poet I was during that period. Such a powerful and humbling process, I find. Publishing some chapbooks sounds like a great idea, especially given the ease with which one can publish nowadays. :-)
It’s a little overwhelming at times opening yourself up, opening myself up and there’s so much of a backlog of having written for so long without sharing or without many sources for sharing so by saying it’s overwhelming, I don’t mean that as a negative. I mean I just need to give myself time and, trust that I’ll be able to take it in my own time. As you’re probably familiar with yourself many of the voices in the past really weren’t open to sharing and collaborating. It was more about judging and competing and I really sense from you. That’s not true and I think you have a very clear voice, a clear, poetic voice.
I certainly understand the overwhelmingness of it all. I have not shared much of my writing in many years either and opening up is very hard. Slow and gentle steps. :-) And yes - as you say - trust in yourself and at your own pace. Words to live by. I very much know what you mean about competition and a lack of sharing/openness and collaboration in the past - most the poems I post from others have been ignored for 100 years because of how closed historians and poetry anthologists have been. It is a great shame.
Thankyou so much for your kind words about my “voice” - developing a poetic voice is a lifelong journey and I am glad to still be on that path, with many bumps along the way. Really looking forward to reading more of your work - you have some lovely poems!
It's a strange world when 30 years ago there were a few scores of bands making good records… and now there are these brilliant voices everywhere… so many people have something to say or something to sing
Yeah - I mean, I think there were just as many back then, but much less ability to record well or hear them, as the industry had a hold on music production, reproduction, and distribution. I mean the 80s and 90s underground scenes were amazing! But yeah, today, anyone with a voice and a computer can record something, and produce to it relatively good quality easily. It's definitely a golden age for music in that sense!
A) Hehe - yeah, I have been pretty reticent to put any images of myself here, but when it came to doing songs, I was like, oh well, guess I have to - and I did think y'all would enjoy getting to see me, and who am I to deny that enjoyment. :-P
B) Awwwww thanks so much, from the bottom of my heart! 💜 So very excited about the book - just ordered a proof copy, so hopefully it'll get here real quick and we can put it out early next week!!!
C) Awww, no need to say sorry for your tastes at all 💜 Pobody's nerfect hahaha. We all have our poisons! One of mine just happens to be contemporary pop music, and I'm pretty used to friends who I have other things in common with not really digging my musical choices in this area haha (I think most would agree my love of JB is the imperfection here lol). I only put that comment about his music just to make sure people know I am doing these covers earnestly, out of genuine enjoyment and admiration, rather than ironically, or anything, y'know. I am so glad you enjoyed me singing the tune though - means a lot! 💜
D) Thank you so much for the wonderful comment Fotini!!! It warms me. 💜
Cheers LeeAnn :-) Awwwww that is so sweet - I love that yr cat had a listen. I used to know a cat that would go and sit by the stereo speakers, right up against them, whenever certain music came on. I think cats have an interest in human music - it's kind of amazing!
Dick! You have what I would call 'mad skills.' The song was excellent. I can't wait to hear more - as you get those vocal chords loosened up, of course. :-)
I think you could do some Steve Winwood covers - the older, the better.
Awwww dam - thanks Rod - I love that phrase “mad skills” - best compliment ever!!! Yeah, hopefully the next one won’t need like 100 takes to get it right 😂 ohhhh - ok I’ll give Steve Winwood a listen and see if anything clicks. Thanks so much for the suggestion! 💜
Hehe - the poetry’s definitely not goin anywhere and will remain the focus of the main newsletter ;-)
Awwww 💜💜💜 emotions are the best. I used to avoid them, and still struggle with them. And music I think is a good way to engage them. Really appreciate yr comment.
Dick. Oh my God, man. Fuck. What is art if not this - my love for one song leading to this cover, which shook tears from these eyes. I've been wrestling recently with how to truly connect on Substack, how to bypass the numbers the glimmering hearts - how to feel like you really feel the person on the other side of the screen is with you, and you them. I love this, and you, and will be looping this when writing my next piece of writing.
Thank you so, so much for the way this made me feel.
My request - anything by Bon Iver, ever.
Damn Jim - so touched by yr kind words. Read them as I drifted off to sleep last night and they stayed with me! I agree so much - what else is art for if not inspiring one another. I loved your poem so much, and this tune - and I wanted to find a way to express that full circle of connection - and here we are. It makes me so happy you connected with this - and that you’ll use some of the energy I put into it to forge some new words. Love that so much. Lots of love to you as well 💜 and for reaching out. You’ve made my week, for real. And yeah - I know what you mean about wanting to fully connect with people here, and how to get past the screen and like-farming haha.
So yeah - thank you for the way yr poem and comment made me feel too. A big glowing warmth.
Ohhhh - ok, I don’t know much Bon Iver but I do really love one of his songs - I’ll give him a listen and see if something sings out :-) great suggestion!
Hope yr having a glorious day! Lotsa love 💜
YES Dick - pure love and heart-surge. Let’s keep creating what fills us with light and reasons to give a shit when the easier route is to check-out. Always here.
Hella big YES to this. Spent a lot of life checking out tbh, and trying to be very conscious of not doing that any more. Same - here!
So. So. Beautiful.
Aww thanks Kim 💜 i really appreciate you saying so.
this is lovely - I hope you keep sharing your music with us along with your poetry.
Aw thanks so much Kerry - really appreciate it. 🖤
Kudos to you. I look forward to spending time reading and listening.
Thanks so much Marilyn - I really appreciate yr comment. Hope you find some more joy in the newsletter!
I am working on a collection of my poetry through the years working with an editor right now the goal is not necessarily publication not at this point anyway. maybe will bring chapbook out couple of chapbooks but the goal is really to edit and bring it all together.
Ah wonderful! It is such a good experience to gather together all your own poetry into a collection, whether or not it is published. I periodically do this - edit all the poems I have written in a given period into a book. Most of them are unpublished, but it really helps to see them all in one place, and to be able to see what kind of poet I was during that period. Such a powerful and humbling process, I find. Publishing some chapbooks sounds like a great idea, especially given the ease with which one can publish nowadays. :-)
Well, then you understand. Powerful and humbling to be sure.
It’s a little overwhelming at times opening yourself up, opening myself up and there’s so much of a backlog of having written for so long without sharing or without many sources for sharing so by saying it’s overwhelming, I don’t mean that as a negative. I mean I just need to give myself time and, trust that I’ll be able to take it in my own time. As you’re probably familiar with yourself many of the voices in the past really weren’t open to sharing and collaborating. It was more about judging and competing and I really sense from you. That’s not true and I think you have a very clear voice, a clear, poetic voice.
I certainly understand the overwhelmingness of it all. I have not shared much of my writing in many years either and opening up is very hard. Slow and gentle steps. :-) And yes - as you say - trust in yourself and at your own pace. Words to live by. I very much know what you mean about competition and a lack of sharing/openness and collaboration in the past - most the poems I post from others have been ignored for 100 years because of how closed historians and poetry anthologists have been. It is a great shame.
Thankyou so much for your kind words about my “voice” - developing a poetic voice is a lifelong journey and I am glad to still be on that path, with many bumps along the way. Really looking forward to reading more of your work - you have some lovely poems!
It's a strange world when 30 years ago there were a few scores of bands making good records… and now there are these brilliant voices everywhere… so many people have something to say or something to sing
Yeah - I mean, I think there were just as many back then, but much less ability to record well or hear them, as the industry had a hold on music production, reproduction, and distribution. I mean the 80s and 90s underground scenes were amazing! But yeah, today, anyone with a voice and a computer can record something, and produce to it relatively good quality easily. It's definitely a golden age for music in that sense!
Whaaaaa? ❤️😎
Awwww cheers Shondra!!! 💜
A. Nice to see the face behind those poems and kind words I have been reading all this time!!!
B. Congratulations on the book!!! I am looking forward to it, and I mean this with all my heart.
C. I am no fun of JB - sorry, I never said I was perfect :) But, man, hearing you sing my soul aches.
D. Thank you, Dick. 💛
A) Hehe - yeah, I have been pretty reticent to put any images of myself here, but when it came to doing songs, I was like, oh well, guess I have to - and I did think y'all would enjoy getting to see me, and who am I to deny that enjoyment. :-P
B) Awwwww thanks so much, from the bottom of my heart! 💜 So very excited about the book - just ordered a proof copy, so hopefully it'll get here real quick and we can put it out early next week!!!
C) Awww, no need to say sorry for your tastes at all 💜 Pobody's nerfect hahaha. We all have our poisons! One of mine just happens to be contemporary pop music, and I'm pretty used to friends who I have other things in common with not really digging my musical choices in this area haha (I think most would agree my love of JB is the imperfection here lol). I only put that comment about his music just to make sure people know I am doing these covers earnestly, out of genuine enjoyment and admiration, rather than ironically, or anything, y'know. I am so glad you enjoyed me singing the tune though - means a lot! 💜
D) Thank you so much for the wonderful comment Fotini!!! It warms me. 💜
This was stunning. So good. Even my cat stopped and listened. Congrats on the publication and looking forward to the book. I’ll definitely get a copy.
Cheers LeeAnn :-) Awwwww that is so sweet - I love that yr cat had a listen. I used to know a cat that would go and sit by the stereo speakers, right up against them, whenever certain music came on. I think cats have an interest in human music - it's kind of amazing!
This is stunning!
Aw thanks so much Angela! Really appreciate it. :-)
Beautiful voice.
Aw thanks Anna! I really appreciate you saying so. :-)
Also, congratulations on your upcoming book, Dick! Your poem with Laurence Stacey was a delight.
Cheers! Writing with Laurence is something I cherish so that means a lot. More news real soon hopefully.
SO AWESOME. I was just blasting "Stay" earlier today and this cover is so gorgeous. !!!!!!!!
Awwww thaaaaanks. Yussssss!!!!!! I been blasting it too! Thanks for being part of the inspiration too Margaret! 💜
Whoooooaaaa!!! ⚡
That is exactly the kind of reaction a singer hopes for tbh 💜 ya put a big smile on my dial.
Loved this!
Thanks soooo much 💜
Dick! You have what I would call 'mad skills.' The song was excellent. I can't wait to hear more - as you get those vocal chords loosened up, of course. :-)
I think you could do some Steve Winwood covers - the older, the better.
I still love the poetry you share and write!
Awwww dam - thanks Rod - I love that phrase “mad skills” - best compliment ever!!! Yeah, hopefully the next one won’t need like 100 takes to get it right 😂 ohhhh - ok I’ll give Steve Winwood a listen and see if anything clicks. Thanks so much for the suggestion! 💜
Hehe - the poetry’s definitely not goin anywhere and will remain the focus of the main newsletter ;-)
Haha! I hope you don’t have to work that hard next time!
Cool on Winwood! I like Dear Mr Fantasy, Can’t find my way home, and John Barleycorn must die.
Hahahaha - oh well, it's all part of the journey! Awesome - I'll check those songs out. :-)
You’re making me cry. 😭 so beautiful. 🖤🖤🖤
Awwww 💜💜💜 emotions are the best. I used to avoid them, and still struggle with them. And music I think is a good way to engage them. Really appreciate yr comment.