I remember when I was first introduced to the book, I was so intrigued. It was like nothing else I had ever read or experienced. For me it was a very immersive, transformative experience. I highly recommend it!!
Wonderful, Chloe! So diverse and at the same time so beautifully interweaving.
Japanese artists seem to have a special dimension, a certain way with expression. I found my artistic home in an ancient Japanese silk painting technique with its unique dimensional subtleties. These poems sing to their own different note, and find their home so powerfully.
And, David’s voice is so unique unto itself. I am grateful to read Magic Carpet again. His ‘fragility mantra’ has been a teacher and a friend for some time now, immediately altering my perspective, grounding and expanding as one. His words are stunningly relevant to my life today «joyously, nothing can ever be taken for granted again, least of all those closest to us with whom we share a path...»
Take good care, dear Chloe, during your intermission, while you take a breath.
I am grateful for your Grace and Beauty, your willingness to be powerful in your authenticity.
It has been a comfort to enjoin my own reflections, thank you for this moment.
And yes! I cannot leave him out, the Riflebird!
Impossible not to return to his shimmering seductions.
Indeed. I'm also fascinated by the fact that they had the ability, both physical and psychological) to think about writing a poem at a time like that. Do you think they could because they were enlightened, or had they already secretly decided what they were going to write?
Well, the Death poems that seem to have been collected and treasured are typically those written by Zen monks, teachers & masters, so I want to say that, given their dedication to meditation, their dying time would have been something that they were well prepared for; physically & psychologically. Physically, I think there’s every chance they were dictated, rather than written by hand, but I don’t know for sure. And, psychologically, I like to imagine that they were in the perfect potent poem writing frame of mind.
That said, if I came up with a line like “Arrows, let flown each to each, meet midway and slice the void in aimless flight, thus, I return to the source” in, say, my thirties, there would be no stopping me from keeping that nugget in my back pocket before ‘arriving to it’ on my Death bed. Though I imagine the Zen lot to be far more principled than I am.
That’s my reaction every time I read it. Every single time! There’s something about that moment of arrows silently passing one another at peak arc, pre-return...I can’t put it into words.
And the Riflebirds!! I swear the male gets lost in his own groove at one point, it’s honestly one of my favorite things to watch. Multiple times a day. And yes, totally go & get lost in David’s stuff, listen to Blackbird, I think you’ll like it...
Also, Nathan, random and kind of off topic, but have you read the play ‘Thom Pain (based on nothing)’ by any chance?
Haha! I know. I was hesitant to share because it’s so...I don’t even know what it is. But, yes, if the chance arises, do take it. Happy crescent, Nathan 💗
It just popped into my head as I was replying to you, and I thought you might like it. It’s a monologue, I saw Rainn Wilson perform it years ago. It’s jarring and it’s absolutely genius. It pretty much opens with the below;
“Picture this, a little boy in a cowboy suit, writing in a puddle with a stick, a dog approaching. Deaf or dumb, the boy is, or, like anyone, a little timid, partly stupid, ashamed, afraid, like us, like you. Our little boy is wearing shorts, shoes, no socks, no cowboy boots. He is there. Dreaming of this real life right here. Picture the boy. A terrible storm has just ended. A cloud, overhead, a little rumble. The boy writes his watery lines. See his eyes. Sympathize with his little clothes. Now, break his arm, give him an injury, some problem with his hip so that he stands funny, can’t walk “real good.” Now picture that the stick he is writing with is a violin bow. Picture a violin section. Picture every living person as a member of a violin section. We hold the bow above the strings, ready to play. Picture a bird settling on a branch. The violins are on fire. Feel the world inhale. Picture the readiness, the stillness, the virtuosity. Among this, the child. Picture ash blowing across a newly-blue sky. Now go fuck yourselves.”
Like I said, kind of off topic, but there was something about the stunned silence of the audience that made me think of it. Or, perhaps it’s just the crescent moon...🌒
I can’t stop laughing, reacting, to this! Listening to David Field slowed me right down, put me in a particular space that I rarely visit these days, made the poetry sit and fit perfectly. The rifle bird is an old friend from David Attenborough videos, always strangely self-centred while professing to be all about the love (or the sex). And then this monologue - read in my head to perfection. With that final sentence!! Hahaha! Thank you Chloe. A perfect way to start my week. I feel delightfully invigorated. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care beautiful. 🤗🤗😘
Beth! You're so welcome. I'm delighted that you delighted in it all, the Thom Pain piece came out of left-field, but this post is a bit of a smorgasbord so we're rolling with it! 🥰 Happy to hear that David's piece offered you a visit to that place, and happy to have you here 💛
Chloe thank you for this. The arrows one is my favourite too. Have you read A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki? Japanese zen nunnery and kamikaze pilotry... I think you would enjoy. ❤️
The arrows never stop being the most profound visual, every time I read it it gets me. I have not read A Tale for the Time Being, but it sounds right up my alley and I’ve ordered it. Thank you for sharing, and for reading, Jill ♥️
While reading this piece my cockatiel is sitting on me fluffing her feathers. I played the video of the rifle birds and she stopped fluffing and paid attention to them!
Michael, thank you. It's so nice to hear what parts connected. I've been trying to have a gentler week, and attunement to breath has been a big part of that.
I like David's words, too ☺️
The Japanese Death poems are pretty special. I know I've rabbited on about them throughout the comments, but those last four lines of the arrow poem are really something special...
Thanks, my dear. I’m very excited for your Halloween debut. If the halter is sequined with iridescent blue on one side and black on the other you could even do that mad rolling throat trick that he does. Just be careful to remember that the dance is in honour of your beloved and not, as I think the Rifleman may have felt, entirely about you 💜 Also, mind your neck x
"Life is getting into a boat that is just about to set out to sail and sink." Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
So very true, and so very worth it...
💯
my new mantra...
"my existence is fragile, my fragility sits within an infinite mystery."
thanks for sharing, Chloe 🙏🏼
It's a good one, isn't it? Puts everything into context pretty quickly. Thank you, darren 💜
thanks David 🙏🏼
both you & Chloe have beautiful spoken voices.
Darren, you are welcome to come for tea anytime you find yourself in the UK, then you could hear our spoken voices to your hearts content :) 💛
sounds like a plan, Chloe/David 🍵
perhaps lemon ginger...
That riflebird video...
I know you warned me, but I was not prepared!!!
Much like the Riflebird, I was not playing!!
This is my first introduction to Japanese Death Poems, what a beautiful practice.
Isn't it? Yoel Hoffmann compiled a lot of them into a book. They're all a gift in their own way, but,
"Arrows, let flown each to each
Meet midway and slice
The void in aimless flight
Thus, I return to the source"
takes my breath away, every time...
Yes, I can see why, it's stunning. I'll be checking that book out tonight, thanks again.
I remember when I was first introduced to the book, I was so intrigued. It was like nothing else I had ever read or experienced. For me it was a very immersive, transformative experience. I highly recommend it!!
Me too!
Same here. I was unaware of this cultural practice. Lovely!
Wonderful, Chloe! So diverse and at the same time so beautifully interweaving.
Japanese artists seem to have a special dimension, a certain way with expression. I found my artistic home in an ancient Japanese silk painting technique with its unique dimensional subtleties. These poems sing to their own different note, and find their home so powerfully.
And, David’s voice is so unique unto itself. I am grateful to read Magic Carpet again. His ‘fragility mantra’ has been a teacher and a friend for some time now, immediately altering my perspective, grounding and expanding as one. His words are stunningly relevant to my life today «joyously, nothing can ever be taken for granted again, least of all those closest to us with whom we share a path...»
Take good care, dear Chloe, during your intermission, while you take a breath.
I am grateful for your Grace and Beauty, your willingness to be powerful in your authenticity.
It has been a comfort to enjoin my own reflections, thank you for this moment.
And yes! I cannot leave him out, the Riflebird!
Impossible not to return to his shimmering seductions.
I’m glad you enjoyed the slight shift in approach, Rosi.
And, yes, David’s mantra is certainly a keeper…
Thank you, and I will. It’s felt good to respond to my body’s request for a change of pace 🙏
Loved the riflebirds. Japanese death poems: intriguing and beautiful
There's an extraordinary potency to them, given how few words they contain.
Indeed. I'm also fascinated by the fact that they had the ability, both physical and psychological) to think about writing a poem at a time like that. Do you think they could because they were enlightened, or had they already secretly decided what they were going to write?
Well, the Death poems that seem to have been collected and treasured are typically those written by Zen monks, teachers & masters, so I want to say that, given their dedication to meditation, their dying time would have been something that they were well prepared for; physically & psychologically. Physically, I think there’s every chance they were dictated, rather than written by hand, but I don’t know for sure. And, psychologically, I like to imagine that they were in the perfect potent poem writing frame of mind.
That said, if I came up with a line like “Arrows, let flown each to each, meet midway and slice the void in aimless flight, thus, I return to the source” in, say, my thirties, there would be no stopping me from keeping that nugget in my back pocket before ‘arriving to it’ on my Death bed. Though I imagine the Zen lot to be far more principled than I am.
Indeed! Enlightened people seem to have a habit of knowing when their time has come, and are able to meet it with equanimity.
"Thus, I return to the source."
Sits in stunned early-Monday-morning silence after reading this.
*THEN WATCHES RIFLE BIRDS AGAIN! OMG.*
(Plus also sending this to my father, who adores birds.)
Beautiful, across all the parts of the post. I shall shortly be swept away for the carpet ride over to David's stack.
That’s my reaction every time I read it. Every single time! There’s something about that moment of arrows silently passing one another at peak arc, pre-return...I can’t put it into words.
And the Riflebirds!! I swear the male gets lost in his own groove at one point, it’s honestly one of my favorite things to watch. Multiple times a day. And yes, totally go & get lost in David’s stuff, listen to Blackbird, I think you’ll like it...
Also, Nathan, random and kind of off topic, but have you read the play ‘Thom Pain (based on nothing)’ by any chance?
Errr wow!!! What did I just read? That's incredible.
I must seek out the full thing and also keep it on my radar should it ever be being performed here!
Thanks Chloe, thank you crescent 🌘
Haha! I know. I was hesitant to share because it’s so...I don’t even know what it is. But, yes, if the chance arises, do take it. Happy crescent, Nathan 💗
You shared wisely 😉
So good. He totally gets lost in his own groove. That neck!
RE: Thom Pain. No... haven't heard of it. Why do you ask?
It just popped into my head as I was replying to you, and I thought you might like it. It’s a monologue, I saw Rainn Wilson perform it years ago. It’s jarring and it’s absolutely genius. It pretty much opens with the below;
“Picture this, a little boy in a cowboy suit, writing in a puddle with a stick, a dog approaching. Deaf or dumb, the boy is, or, like anyone, a little timid, partly stupid, ashamed, afraid, like us, like you. Our little boy is wearing shorts, shoes, no socks, no cowboy boots. He is there. Dreaming of this real life right here. Picture the boy. A terrible storm has just ended. A cloud, overhead, a little rumble. The boy writes his watery lines. See his eyes. Sympathize with his little clothes. Now, break his arm, give him an injury, some problem with his hip so that he stands funny, can’t walk “real good.” Now picture that the stick he is writing with is a violin bow. Picture a violin section. Picture every living person as a member of a violin section. We hold the bow above the strings, ready to play. Picture a bird settling on a branch. The violins are on fire. Feel the world inhale. Picture the readiness, the stillness, the virtuosity. Among this, the child. Picture ash blowing across a newly-blue sky. Now go fuck yourselves.”
Like I said, kind of off topic, but there was something about the stunned silence of the audience that made me think of it. Or, perhaps it’s just the crescent moon...🌒
I can’t stop laughing, reacting, to this! Listening to David Field slowed me right down, put me in a particular space that I rarely visit these days, made the poetry sit and fit perfectly. The rifle bird is an old friend from David Attenborough videos, always strangely self-centred while professing to be all about the love (or the sex). And then this monologue - read in my head to perfection. With that final sentence!! Hahaha! Thank you Chloe. A perfect way to start my week. I feel delightfully invigorated. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care beautiful. 🤗🤗😘
Beth! You're so welcome. I'm delighted that you delighted in it all, the Thom Pain piece came out of left-field, but this post is a bit of a smorgasbord so we're rolling with it! 🥰 Happy to hear that David's piece offered you a visit to that place, and happy to have you here 💛
Chloe thank you for this. The arrows one is my favourite too. Have you read A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki? Japanese zen nunnery and kamikaze pilotry... I think you would enjoy. ❤️
The arrows never stop being the most profound visual, every time I read it it gets me. I have not read A Tale for the Time Being, but it sounds right up my alley and I’ve ordered it. Thank you for sharing, and for reading, Jill ♥️
While reading this piece my cockatiel is sitting on me fluffing her feathers. I played the video of the rifle birds and she stopped fluffing and paid attention to them!
Haha, that's so sweet! That Rifleman kind of demands to be paid attention to, doesn't he?!
Certainly with a name like Rifleman!
Lovely offering Chloe.
I really enjoyed your opening words about each of us experiencing two days that are not 24 hours long, and grabbing of breaths.
I also really liked David’s words about death, and fragility - they were woven together so well.
And, once again, you taught me something new about death - I had never heard of Japanese Death poems.
Michael, thank you. It's so nice to hear what parts connected. I've been trying to have a gentler week, and attunement to breath has been a big part of that.
I like David's words, too ☺️
The Japanese Death poems are pretty special. I know I've rabbited on about them throughout the comments, but those last four lines of the arrow poem are really something special...
Yes, those Japanese death poems are great - I’ve been looking a few up.
Thanks Chloe
Thank you for including me in this, Chloe. I love your writing.
Thank you, Lev! And likewise. I so look forward to your posts.
Thank you for such a thoughtful way to start my Sunday!
Thank you for being here, Kate! 💜
Phew you had my heart with the first line Chloe. And those Japanese 💀 poems, glorious, thank you for introducing me to them 🖤
I’m kind of obsessed with the Japanese Death poems, probably going to make their way into my next tattoo... Thank you for reading, lovely 💀♥️
Oh how cool! Japanese death poem inspired tattoo yassssss!! 🫶🏼
Hahah. Wow. Birds in heat is sexy indeed.
😂 Right? If I was in the jungle and I saw that I'd be tearing my clothes off!
ROFLMAO
Lovely vignettes, Chloe - kudos to David, very delicate and beautiful.
RE: the riflebird - my Halloween costume is now chosen, I have the cape, I only need an iridescent blue halter top and lots of practice. 💙
Thanks, my dear. I’m very excited for your Halloween debut. If the halter is sequined with iridescent blue on one side and black on the other you could even do that mad rolling throat trick that he does. Just be careful to remember that the dance is in honour of your beloved and not, as I think the Rifleman may have felt, entirely about you 💜 Also, mind your neck x
It will almost certainly be a variation on this theme 🤣
https://youtube.com/shorts/cOLeg1qmqVQ?feature=share
🤣 how had I never seen this?!! Colour me seduced...
That bird! I'm having a word with my husband later. What has he done to impress me????
😂 Jo! Yes, where is this level of courtship in the human world..?! Hmm?!
That said, the Rifleman's display is not entirely dissimilar to how David first wooed me, many years ago now...
*Swoon*