exquisite, and visceral. it’s become fixed in my mind. His tender face, expressive eyes, the lilting rhythm of visuals and song. an innocent amidst unspeakable suffering. His hands. What a beautiful, haunting piece. how fragile.
Your words and melody remind me that this was once the little boy in the shoes you held. I have no words to describe the film and your song poem. Frederic Ward's "Bravo" below expresses it best, I guess. And Robin's "haunting". But, I linger beneath the despair of his last days.....with a bittersweet feeling of regret, tempered by the "see-saw" song--like so many nursery rhymes.
I’ve watched this many times since I first watched it before going to sleep last night. It haunted my dreams and all day it’s haunted me. Annoyingly, I lack language for music so can’t name the extraordinary thing that happens in the song but it has to do with the way it begins like a child’s song or story (like “Goodnight Moon”: “In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon . . . “). The almost childlike tune (this is where my lack of language for sound is limiting and frustrating) becomes a kind of tick-tock rocking swaying and the words of the poem mirror that, swaying from one thing to its opposite, evoking a dialectic. Here are some examples in which the language enacts and matches the pendulum like motion of one thing then another, something and it’s opposite:
A room like any other/ a room like no other
A burgeoning flame/ a flower
In the joyous/ dead of night
Where he sits asleep/ with his eyes wide open
Dead hands/ revived
So scorned/ adorned
Form/reform
The cross/ and the sword
By the end, it’s as if one has been lulled into a trance, one step then another, until one feels something like a palpitation. It’s so visceral and the images from the film marry with it in an amazing way.
I think it’s an especially hard thing to write about because the power of it is so trancelike.
I didn’t and don’t think I can do justice to the power of the piece but I wanted to try to say something, if only to honor and applaud it. An amazing piece, Patti. Thank you for creating it and for sharing it.
As usual, Robin, your insights take us to the heart of the piece. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. And I bet this is the first time Artaud and Goodnight Moon have ever been referenced together. Wishing you nothing but the best.
I am so moved by this video . It is such a hauntingly beautiful construction of both sound and image . Thank you for a few minutes of contemplation in a personally difficult and challenging time in my life . Forever grateful Patti.
I agree about the video being hauntingly beautiful. I’m sorry that you’re going through a difficult time. Wishing you strength and hoping that things get easier soon.
This is what the world needs. There I was, running around the daily existence, like the headless chicken the world dictates and suddenly I'm immersed in this. This is what we need for true perspective. Not a 1 week holiday in the sun and then dumped back into the boiling pot. We are all on different spokes of the wheel. Those with time on their hands, use it to experience depression rather than return it to the masses in awareness of what's most important. Thank you Patti. There is so much life and creativity inside you. I wish you continual release of it to the masses who will listen. Phoeagdor.
an amazing work of art...staying with me for a long time afterwards.........
exquisite, and visceral. it’s become fixed in my mind. His tender face, expressive eyes, the lilting rhythm of visuals and song. an innocent amidst unspeakable suffering. His hands. What a beautiful, haunting piece. how fragile.
Wonderful
Thank you for sharing this beautiful ritual. Every time I see and listen, my body feels and travels in sorrow and joy. ✨
Greetings from México.
Just beautiful 🙏
so beautiful and so tender x
Your words and melody remind me that this was once the little boy in the shoes you held. I have no words to describe the film and your song poem. Frederic Ward's "Bravo" below expresses it best, I guess. And Robin's "haunting". But, I linger beneath the despair of his last days.....with a bittersweet feeling of regret, tempered by the "see-saw" song--like so many nursery rhymes.
This was extraordinary - transcendent! Bravo!
🕊️🙏🏻✨
I’ve watched this many times since I first watched it before going to sleep last night. It haunted my dreams and all day it’s haunted me. Annoyingly, I lack language for music so can’t name the extraordinary thing that happens in the song but it has to do with the way it begins like a child’s song or story (like “Goodnight Moon”: “In the great green room there was a telephone and a red balloon . . . “). The almost childlike tune (this is where my lack of language for sound is limiting and frustrating) becomes a kind of tick-tock rocking swaying and the words of the poem mirror that, swaying from one thing to its opposite, evoking a dialectic. Here are some examples in which the language enacts and matches the pendulum like motion of one thing then another, something and it’s opposite:
A room like any other/ a room like no other
A burgeoning flame/ a flower
In the joyous/ dead of night
Where he sits asleep/ with his eyes wide open
Dead hands/ revived
So scorned/ adorned
Form/reform
The cross/ and the sword
By the end, it’s as if one has been lulled into a trance, one step then another, until one feels something like a palpitation. It’s so visceral and the images from the film marry with it in an amazing way.
I think it’s an especially hard thing to write about because the power of it is so trancelike.
I didn’t and don’t think I can do justice to the power of the piece but I wanted to try to say something, if only to honor and applaud it. An amazing piece, Patti. Thank you for creating it and for sharing it.
With warmth to all, as ever,
Robin
As usual, Robin, your insights take us to the heart of the piece. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. And I bet this is the first time Artaud and Goodnight Moon have ever been referenced together. Wishing you nothing but the best.
Thank you for your kind words, Jim. What a funny way to put it about Artaud and Goodnight Moon!
I smiled when I saw the reference. That book is a perfect little poem itself.
I think you do justice to it! Your words are eloquent.
That’s very kind of you. I’m glad that something of what I tried to express comes through. It’s such an amazing piece of work.
Warm regards to you, Donna.
Thankyou Robin! Warm regards to you as well!
Tears tears tears falling
Beautiful like a transcendent lullaby from the cradle to the grave. Thank you.
Yes.
Beautiful folk music.
I love the video, your poem , your collaboration with soundwalk collective... so inspiring ! And most of all ... your dedication as an artist ...
Beautiful.
I am so moved by this video . It is such a hauntingly beautiful construction of both sound and image . Thank you for a few minutes of contemplation in a personally difficult and challenging time in my life . Forever grateful Patti.
Sue , sending you the strength and healing you need.
Thank you Gail 🩵
I agree about the video being hauntingly beautiful. I’m sorry that you’re going through a difficult time. Wishing you strength and hoping that things get easier soon.
Warmly,
Robin
Thank you Robin . 🧡
This is what the world needs. There I was, running around the daily existence, like the headless chicken the world dictates and suddenly I'm immersed in this. This is what we need for true perspective. Not a 1 week holiday in the sun and then dumped back into the boiling pot. We are all on different spokes of the wheel. Those with time on their hands, use it to experience depression rather than return it to the masses in awareness of what's most important. Thank you Patti. There is so much life and creativity inside you. I wish you continual release of it to the masses who will listen. Phoeagdor.