By Yehuda Amichai:
I say with perfect faith
that prayers preceded God.
Prayers created God,
God created people
And people create prayers
that create God who creates People.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Graphic Poetry
On Thursday evening, I went to the opening of an art show by my friend, Joel Moskowitz, and was amazed, amused and moved by his miniature masterpieces.
Based on 3X5 inch library catalog cards, some are heavily embellished with layers of paint, others sport cut-outs from an old dictionary or buttons, beads, even wine corks. But in each of them a bit of the text from the catalog card peeks through so they all "say" something in a literal sense. Making the poetry three-dimensional -- color plus texture plus language equals ... something fresh and new and delightful.
The show is up until October 30 at Gallery 1581 at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis (where I imagine faculty and students analyzing the heck out of each and every) which is located at 1581 Beacon Street in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
5770
Today is the birthday of the world, symbolically at least, for us Jews.
I spent much of the day in synagogue, singing, smiling, marveling at the faces I've known for more than 25 years now, growing up, growing gray.
Sacred stuff (friendship, gratitude, sympathy, recognition) happens everywhere in/near/around the temple on a day like today: in the foyer, in the garden, in the parking lot, even in the ladies room.
Yes, the ladies room. Running in and out of the freshly painted W.C., I had at least four meaningful --though very brief -- conversations with women I had not seen for many months. We kissed, checked in about our kids, praised each others' outfits -- the nuts and bolts of human connection, which is so fragile and so fraught and so powerful.
Wishing you all a sweet beginning.
I spent much of the day in synagogue, singing, smiling, marveling at the faces I've known for more than 25 years now, growing up, growing gray.
Sacred stuff (friendship, gratitude, sympathy, recognition) happens everywhere in/near/around the temple on a day like today: in the foyer, in the garden, in the parking lot, even in the ladies room.
Yes, the ladies room. Running in and out of the freshly painted W.C., I had at least four meaningful --though very brief -- conversations with women I had not seen for many months. We kissed, checked in about our kids, praised each others' outfits -- the nuts and bolts of human connection, which is so fragile and so fraught and so powerful.
Wishing you all a sweet beginning.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Book Touring and Talking
I'm off to New York tomorrow, for the official start of the book tour for Day After Night, my new novel. I'll be in Manhattan, Long Island, and Atlanta this week. Check my website (www.anitadiamant.com) to see where and when.
In fact, the "tour" began last week, with a reading at my wonderful local bookstore, Newtonville Books, and several on-line and radio interviews.
I adore radio interview. Hosts of radio book shows are the most literate and prepared interviewers I have ever encountered. Even better than print, for some reason. From coast to coast, male or female, young and old, folks who choose this work are simply wonderful at their jobs.
First of all, they've read the book. (Not something I take for granted.) And then they take the time not only to come up with good questions, but to shape the conversation -- regardless of how much time we have -- with a beginning, middle and end. It's always a pleasure.
The other day, I spoke with a real master, Ron Charles, of the Washington Post. If you're interested, you can click on the link below and listen in.
In fact, the "tour" began last week, with a reading at my wonderful local bookstore, Newtonville Books, and several on-line and radio interviews.
I adore radio interview. Hosts of radio book shows are the most literate and prepared interviewers I have ever encountered. Even better than print, for some reason. From coast to coast, male or female, young and old, folks who choose this work are simply wonderful at their jobs.
First of all, they've read the book. (Not something I take for granted.) And then they take the time not only to come up with good questions, but to shape the conversation -- regardless of how much time we have -- with a beginning, middle and end. It's always a pleasure.
The other day, I spoke with a real master, Ron Charles, of the Washington Post. If you're interested, you can click on the link below and listen in.
Monday, September 7, 2009
September Song
The crickets are loud at night
Do they protest the coming of the winter, their deaths, the end?
Do they celebrate the limpid blue skies, the crunchy grasses?
Of course not
I hate to close the windows and lose the shrill, happy music
But it's chilly
Summer's back is broken despite the odd hot evening
and sticky afternoon
School starts, the calendar fills, the apples are ripening
I saw pumpkins, already, orange on a granite bench
Do they protest the coming of the winter, their deaths, the end?
Do they celebrate the limpid blue skies, the crunchy grasses?
Of course not
I hate to close the windows and lose the shrill, happy music
But it's chilly
Summer's back is broken despite the odd hot evening
and sticky afternoon
School starts, the calendar fills, the apples are ripening
I saw pumpkins, already, orange on a granite bench
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)