I have been reading the Desolation Blues section of Jack Kerouac's Book of Blues. I was inspired to it by Poets on the Peaks, an excellent book by John Suiter, whose text is augmented by his excellent photos.
Suiter recounts the experiences of beat poets Kerouac, Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen and others on fire lookouts and examines how their time in isolation on the peaks of the Cascades affected them and their writing. It resonates for me especially because of the summer I spent at age 15 on Poison Rock Lookout in Mendocino National Forest and because the Beat poets were my gateway into poetry some years later as an adult.
Kerouac's writing has always been a love/hate thing for me (and for many others). He is capable of some of the most poetic writing of his generation, yet spends much time wallowing in the dark side of life. This aspect seems to worsen as he ages and sinks into his alcohol addiction. Yet in his later writing, he was capable of producing Pic, a book that manages to reach outside his own self-absorption. I would say his best books are Tristessa and The Subterraneans. They are concise and poetic. Desolation Angels and Dharma Bums are also favorites and it was the first one I read, On The Road, that sent me north to San Francisco at age 22, searching for signs of beatnik life and intent upon wriing the Great American Novel. Of that effort only a bulky and verbose first few chapters survive in a trunk in our storage shed. I ultimately came to most relish shorter poetry forms, especially haiku. Kerouac has some wonderful haiku in his Book of Haikus. A sample:
Brighter than the night
my barn roof
of snow
Kerouac was superseded for me by, first, Whalen, whose Every Day Poems I thought was a masterpiece back when I was 25 or so. I would come home each night after work at the Vallejo Times-Herald and read and write in my small studio at the back of our house at 185 West J Street in Benicia, CA. I loved Whalen's humor and still do. Ultimately, though, his writing is so erudite and filled with classical references that he loses me much of the time. An excellent essay by poet Tom Clark on one of his books, Overtime, is here, with a sample of Whalen's work at the end:
http://jacketmagazine.com/07/whalen-clark.html
In the final analysis, Snyder is to me the best of the so-called Beat writers. He has continued to evolve and mature throughout his life and has been a leader in environmental awareness. His poetry to me is the best there is in our day and age, much akin to the great Chinese and Japanese poets and in its worldview to native peoples everywhere. A short sample:
How Poetry Comes to Me
It comes blundering over the
Boulders at night, it stays
Frightened outside the
Range of my campfire
I go to meet it at the
Edge of the light
-- Gary Snyder
Whalen died a roshi, a Zen Buddhist priest in San Francisco. Kerouac died of internal hemorrhaging after a beating by two men at a bar in Florida, having long since abandoned his pursuit of the dharma. Snyder lives on at his home near Nevada City, CA, still writing, still espousing and practicing green living. He of all of them seems to have retained that awareness that springs from spending time in the mountains, on the high peaks. He is able to communicate that awareness and knowledge with as much humanity and wisdom as any American poet I know.
Among his books, not necessarily in chronological order:
Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Mountains and Rivers Without End
Earth House Hold
Axe Handles
Turtle Island
No Nature
A Place in Space
Danger on Peaks
A good anthology of his work:
Left Out in The Rain, New Poems 1947-1985
An online selection of his work:
http://www.english.illinois.edu/Maps/poets/s_z/snyder/onlinepoems.htm
Many thanks for the great work, Gary Snyder.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Crowing, Not Eating Crow
Sorry but this morning I just have to crow about myself a little for a change instead of eating crow ... I competed in the West Coast Songwriters Association Songwriter Competition in Martinez last night and to my own very great surprise won the Best Performance Award!
I did I Hope It Never Ends (at Bev's suggestion) and Cowboy Blues, accompanying myself on autoharp. The judges really liked the sentiments of the first song and the humor of the second. They also said I established good rapport with the audience (the retired grampy's gift of gab, I guess).
It is very heartening to get even this relatively minor (in the great scheme of life and music) award at this late stage. Guess I haven't totally been wasting time with all my practicing.
By the way, I'm working on a CD and hope to post some MP3s soon at YouTube or on my MySpace site. And of course if any of you would like to learn and/or perform any of my songs, let me know. I only expect the standard royalties plus 10% of anything you earn musically from here on ...
Cheers, Grampy Bob Loomis
King of the Septuagenarian Troubadors
(Well, almost there anyway)
I did I Hope It Never Ends (at Bev's suggestion) and Cowboy Blues, accompanying myself on autoharp. The judges really liked the sentiments of the first song and the humor of the second. They also said I established good rapport with the audience (the retired grampy's gift of gab, I guess).
It is very heartening to get even this relatively minor (in the great scheme of life and music) award at this late stage. Guess I haven't totally been wasting time with all my practicing.
By the way, I'm working on a CD and hope to post some MP3s soon at YouTube or on my MySpace site. And of course if any of you would like to learn and/or perform any of my songs, let me know. I only expect the standard royalties plus 10% of anything you earn musically from here on ...
Cheers, Grampy Bob Loomis
King of the Septuagenarian Troubadors
(Well, almost there anyway)
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Old Age & Wisdom
TenaG sent the following along and with my 70th birthday coming on July 22, I thought I’d revise them to add my own personal wisdom (I’m just a whippersnapper compared with Regina). My added comments are in parentheses and are not always to be taken seriously, in case you didn’t already know me well enough to know that):
To Celebrate Growing Older: 45 lessons life taught me by Regina Brett, 90, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. (On a scale of poor-fair-good-very good-excellent.)
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. (And always carry a parachute)
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. (Especially yourself)
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. (my job’s history; my parents, too; but some of my friends are still kickin’ and might help out if they remember who I am)
5. Pay off your credit cards every month. (Or at least make a payment)
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. (Then use your brass knucks)
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. (True of most things)
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. (He – or she – won’t even notice one more whiner)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. (WAAAY Too late)
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. (I’ve always favored oatmeal cookies or ginger snaps)
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. (See No. 9)
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. (If you can find them)
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. (Amen!)
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. (Uh-oh!)
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. (That non-blinkin’ so-and-so!)
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. (And the wheezing may even sound musical)
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. (Suicide is illegal in most states)
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. (Pass that joint!)
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. (That’s what my spouse keeps telling me)
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. (Viagra works!)
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. (OK, but Bev may think it’s a little odd for me to start wearing her lingerie at this late date)
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. (Wear Depends)
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. (See No. 9)
24. The most important sex organ is the brain. (See No. 14)
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. (So that’s why my complaints never get any results!)
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' (Then hope you make it for another five years)
27. Always choose life. (Until the last possible nanosecond)
28. Forgive everyone everything. (Can’t remember what the wrongs were anyway)
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. (But I’m still curious)
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. (And hope Time does the same for you)
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (Or not …)
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. (I’ve been telling people that for decades)
33. Believe in miracles. (a million Deadheads can’t be wrong)
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. (Thank God!)
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. (Present!)
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. (See No. 34)
37. Your children get only one childhood. (Until they are as old as me, that is; see No. 19)
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. (That and, to your survivors, what’s in the will)
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. (Amen!)
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. (Not if I can just tiptoe out before they are reapportioned …)
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. (And then some … Old age seems to consist of a continual sorting and paring away)
42. The best is yet to come. (Every second …)
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. (Hmmmm … since retiring I’ve been known to wear the same sweatsuit several days running …)
44. Yield. (See No. 32)
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." (Amen!)
46. Life is too short to waste good calories on bad food. Always eat well. (That reminds me: Time for breakfast!)
To Celebrate Growing Older: 45 lessons life taught me by Regina Brett, 90, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. (On a scale of poor-fair-good-very good-excellent.)
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. (And always carry a parachute)
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. (Especially yourself)
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. (my job’s history; my parents, too; but some of my friends are still kickin’ and might help out if they remember who I am)
5. Pay off your credit cards every month. (Or at least make a payment)
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. (Then use your brass knucks)
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. (True of most things)
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. (He – or she – won’t even notice one more whiner)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. (WAAAY Too late)
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. (I’ve always favored oatmeal cookies or ginger snaps)
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. (See No. 9)
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. (If you can find them)
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. (Amen!)
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. (Uh-oh!)
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. (That non-blinkin’ so-and-so!)
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. (And the wheezing may even sound musical)
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. (Suicide is illegal in most states)
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. (Pass that joint!)
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. (That’s what my spouse keeps telling me)
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. (Viagra works!)
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. (OK, but Bev may think it’s a little odd for me to start wearing her lingerie at this late date)
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. (Wear Depends)
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. (See No. 9)
24. The most important sex organ is the brain. (See No. 14)
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. (So that’s why my complaints never get any results!)
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' (Then hope you make it for another five years)
27. Always choose life. (Until the last possible nanosecond)
28. Forgive everyone everything. (Can’t remember what the wrongs were anyway)
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. (But I’m still curious)
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. (And hope Time does the same for you)
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (Or not …)
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. (I’ve been telling people that for decades)
33. Believe in miracles. (a million Deadheads can’t be wrong)
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. (Thank God!)
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. (Present!)
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. (See No. 34)
37. Your children get only one childhood. (Until they are as old as me, that is; see No. 19)
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. (That and, to your survivors, what’s in the will)
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. (Amen!)
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. (Not if I can just tiptoe out before they are reapportioned …)
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. (And then some … Old age seems to consist of a continual sorting and paring away)
42. The best is yet to come. (Every second …)
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. (Hmmmm … since retiring I’ve been known to wear the same sweatsuit several days running …)
44. Yield. (See No. 32)
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." (Amen!)
46. Life is too short to waste good calories on bad food. Always eat well. (That reminds me: Time for breakfast!)
Friday, July 03, 2009
BOOK SORT
Book Sort
Today I opened two windows to air out the bedroom after its hermetic winter, and in negotiating the narrow space on my side of the bed to do that, I toppled two of the stacks of books and magazines on my side of the bed. That inspired a determination to eliminate this literary jumble. My wife has her own stacks on her side, I leave them to her to manage. I am focusing on my own stacks, these books and magazines all intermingled over the months, five stacks of them next to an already filled 3-foot-wide, four-shelf bookcase that I bought and assembled exactly to avert this kind of mess.
I plan to read all of them, of course … the books, that is … the magazines I have already glanced through and studied the indices for articles likely to be of particular interest. The magazines remaining here are ones that have articles in them that I plan to read. There are perhaps 20 New Yorkers, three Old-Time Heralds, too many issues of Poetry to count, several Acoustic Guitar editions and an Autoharp Quarterly or two … and so on.
You see, I get sidetracked so easily. One day I am reading how to restore the Northwest forests, the next a silly but well-written detective novel by a little-known Northwest writer who like myself is a former journalist. Well, at least there’s a commonality in that instance: both are set in the Northwest. Then there is Poets on The Peaks, which I keep returning to because it involves writers and an experience dear to my heart, the so-called Beats and the spending of summers on fire lookouts. Perhaps I need to read only books on or set in the Great Northwest. That would definitely thin the ranks.
Most recently added is a book loaned to me by an old friend. It attempts to unravel the mystery of why particular areas and cultures have seized dominance in the world’s evolutionary history even though other areas seemed to have all the same necessary ingredients for similar power. It is an engaging book, and was good reading while on vacation, but now that we are home and I am busy during the day, I find that reading it at bedtime results in a rapidly diminishing comprehension and a quick and effective drowsiness. It has sunk lower in its stack and now has three books ahead of it (I try to stack these in the order I plan to read them).
I am determined to sort these books and magazines and face up to eliminating the ones I know in my heart that I am not truly eager to read, or in fact have little or no interest in reading. I plan to keep only what I really want to read and give the rest away or sell them.
But wait! Here’s The Dragon Can’t Dance! I’ve been meaning to read this for ages! It had gotten buried in one of my stacks. I’ll just take a short break and read a bit of it before continuing this project …
Bob Loomis
06-06-2009
Concord CA
Today I opened two windows to air out the bedroom after its hermetic winter, and in negotiating the narrow space on my side of the bed to do that, I toppled two of the stacks of books and magazines on my side of the bed. That inspired a determination to eliminate this literary jumble. My wife has her own stacks on her side, I leave them to her to manage. I am focusing on my own stacks, these books and magazines all intermingled over the months, five stacks of them next to an already filled 3-foot-wide, four-shelf bookcase that I bought and assembled exactly to avert this kind of mess.
I plan to read all of them, of course … the books, that is … the magazines I have already glanced through and studied the indices for articles likely to be of particular interest. The magazines remaining here are ones that have articles in them that I plan to read. There are perhaps 20 New Yorkers, three Old-Time Heralds, too many issues of Poetry to count, several Acoustic Guitar editions and an Autoharp Quarterly or two … and so on.
You see, I get sidetracked so easily. One day I am reading how to restore the Northwest forests, the next a silly but well-written detective novel by a little-known Northwest writer who like myself is a former journalist. Well, at least there’s a commonality in that instance: both are set in the Northwest. Then there is Poets on The Peaks, which I keep returning to because it involves writers and an experience dear to my heart, the so-called Beats and the spending of summers on fire lookouts. Perhaps I need to read only books on or set in the Great Northwest. That would definitely thin the ranks.
Most recently added is a book loaned to me by an old friend. It attempts to unravel the mystery of why particular areas and cultures have seized dominance in the world’s evolutionary history even though other areas seemed to have all the same necessary ingredients for similar power. It is an engaging book, and was good reading while on vacation, but now that we are home and I am busy during the day, I find that reading it at bedtime results in a rapidly diminishing comprehension and a quick and effective drowsiness. It has sunk lower in its stack and now has three books ahead of it (I try to stack these in the order I plan to read them).
I am determined to sort these books and magazines and face up to eliminating the ones I know in my heart that I am not truly eager to read, or in fact have little or no interest in reading. I plan to keep only what I really want to read and give the rest away or sell them.
But wait! Here’s The Dragon Can’t Dance! I’ve been meaning to read this for ages! It had gotten buried in one of my stacks. I’ll just take a short break and read a bit of it before continuing this project …
Bob Loomis
06-06-2009
Concord CA
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