Big Show for Littlefield

My good friend Lee Littlefield has an upcoming show in Memphis at the Dixon Gallery. We received the exhibit postcard, and along with making me smile, it prompted my desire to mention it in this post.

In and around Houston, Lee's Dr. Seuss-like work can be seen along the freeways and in special locations. Not long ago, he hung some pieces outside of the Jung Center.

 

He exhibits his work locally at Poissant Gallery. And, several of his pieces can be viewed in the yard of the gallery grounds. In my view he is creative in work and thought, and his heart is full. Below are some images of his work from around the web. Info about his exhibit at Dixon are at the end along with a previous artist statement. He shows around the country. If you have an opportunity to see his work, do your part to see his art because it would be smart.

You can read a version of his artists statement here.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee through July 1 -- Information here.

All of Sixty Years

From the December 2011 Issue of Poetry. I hope you experience measures of splendor.

By Taha Muhammad Ali
1931 - 2011

And so
it has taken me
all of sixty years
to understand
that water is the finest drink,
and bread the most delicious food,
and that art is worthless
unless it plants
a measure of splendor in people's hearts.

Catalog Aria

I was looking for an opera aria and came across the English translation of the famous Catalog Aria from Don Giovanni. It made me chuckle. Thought it might do the same for you. Watch and listen to the YouTube at the end to hear a master.

My dear lady, this is a list Of the beauties my master has loved, A list which I have compiled. Observe, read along with me. In Italy, six hundred and forty; In Germany, two hundred and thirty-one; A hundred in France; in Turkey, ninety-one; But in Spain already one thousand and three. Among these are peasant girls, Maidservants, city girls, Countesses, baronesses, Marchionesses, princesses, Women of every rank, Every shape, every age. With blondes it is his habit To praise their kindness; In brunettes, their faithfulness; In the white-haired, their sweetness. In winter he likes fat ones. In summer he likes thin ones. He calls the tall ones majestic. The little ones are always charming. He seduces the old ones For the pleasure of adding to the list. His greatest favourite Is the young beginner. It doesn't matter if she's rich, Ugly or beautiful; If she wears a skirt, You know what he does. Watch it here:

But The Water Was Brackish

A poem - by Seferis:

Denial
by George Seferis

On the secret sea-shore
white like a pigeon
we thirsted at noon:
but the water was brackish.

On the golden sand
we wrote her name;
but the sea-breeze blew
and the writing vanished.

With what spirit, what heart,
what desire and passion
we lived our life: a mistake!
So we changed our life.

Never blows so red

From April 1st:

Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story.

-- John Barth

Creativity is the residue of time wasted.

-- Einstein

He only profits from praise who values criticism.

-- Heinrich Heine

To destroy is always the first step in any creation.

-- ee cummings

Wholeness

Sharing wisdom from David Bohm, out of Wholeness and the Implicate Order:

What is needed to learn afresh, 

to observe, 

and to discover for ourselves, 

the meaning of wholeness.

It comes via Jon Kabat-Zinn.

For the Moment

I was reviewing some French poetry to share with some friends, and I came across this beautiful piece by Pierre Reverdy. I could not stop smiling. For you.

For The Moment

by Pierre Reverdy

Life is simple and gay

The bright sun rings with a quiet sound

The sound of the bells has quieted
down

This morning the light hits it all

The footlights of my head are lit again

And the room I live in is finally bright

Just one beam is enough

Just one burst of laughter

My joy that shakes the house

Restrains those wanting to die

By the notes of its song

I sing off-key

Ah it's funny

My mouth open to every breeze

Spews mad notes everywhere

That emerge I don't know how

To fly toward other ears

Listen I'm not crazy

I laugh at the bottom of the stairs

Before the wide-open door

In the sunlight scattered

On the wall among green vines

And my arms are held out toward you

It's today I love you

Anniversary of April 1st: No Foolin'

Celebrating April 1st with a sample of pages from the early days...