Michael Harris's newly released collection of poems titled 'Circus' is a roller-coaster ride of circus misfits, sombre stories, delightfully crafted sonnets and real-life testimonials.
Troupe opens the 'Circus' collection and starts us imagining all the assorted misfits in Harris's circus. We are not disappointed.
From The Bearded Lady to The Dog Trainer, Hang in There to The Ringmaster, Michael weaves tales of extraordinary individuals in sensitive moments of everyday life.
He then moves to poems of actuality with Derelict and Concentrate, where we are faced with our own pasts, frailties and the inevitability of our own deaths.
Making this collection truly delightful and well-rounded, Dr. Suess comes to mind with Hoodiddit and Closet Sonnet. The rhymes are reminiscent of my childhood, having spent many a night reading 'One Fish, Two Fish...' and other tales of trickery.
The book ends with what's real in Speech and The Examiner, bringing us back to the test that is life. Whether we have less teeth or not, we must take a big bite, a big jump and, as Harris writes, start now.
I found 'Circus' a thoroughly enjoyable read. The different voices, timbres and points of view are engaging and eye-opening (and for the chihuahua Oliver, leg-lifting) in their honesty, maturity and genuine understanding of what makes--and doesn't make--human nature tick.
Circus by Michael Harris is published by Signal Editions, an imprint of Vehicule Press.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sonny Rollins: Jazz Fest 2010 in Montreal
We saw Sonny Rollins last night at the Montreal Jazz Fest and, even in his eightieth year, his ability to make his saxophone an extension of his soul has not diminished.
The experience was spiritual is nature and his music moved through the audience making us tap our feet, clap our hands, hoot and yell out 'I love you, Sonny!' to which he replied, 'Sonny loves you too baby!'
That's what the whole night was about: Love. Love and the excellence that is borne from it.
We came away feeling elated, hopeful, free and deeply inspired. The soon-to-be 80-year-old saxophonist became a giant once his lips touched the reed of his instrument. He helped us realize the power behind the arts. The power of experience and time and practice.
Thank you Sonny and your band for what can only be described as a colossal and pivotal jazz experience!
The experience was spiritual is nature and his music moved through the audience making us tap our feet, clap our hands, hoot and yell out 'I love you, Sonny!' to which he replied, 'Sonny loves you too baby!'
That's what the whole night was about: Love. Love and the excellence that is borne from it.
We came away feeling elated, hopeful, free and deeply inspired. The soon-to-be 80-year-old saxophonist became a giant once his lips touched the reed of his instrument. He helped us realize the power behind the arts. The power of experience and time and practice.
Thank you Sonny and your band for what can only be described as a colossal and pivotal jazz experience!
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