Week Four of the Artist’s Way presented a few challenges. In particular reading deprivation on top of social isolation & distancing. Is editing chapters of Picture Perfect for the blog reading? What about daily meditation books? So I did a bit of a compromise – blog work isn’t reading. Editing isn’t reading. No reading in the bathroom, no reading in transit, no podcasts. No twitter or ‘tooling’ around until evening. I finished chapters in the books I was reading & stopped there.
Some of these were time frittering at best. I have more time as a result. Some of these may become new habits. Eliminating the superfluous is freeing. When I stopped carting my iPod everywhere I felt less encumbered, one less worry. A much as I liked creating playlists etc not to have t keep refilling it is freeing. I only use it for guided mediations & podcasts. Walking without it has been a small adjustment but I feel more open to what is round me without a constant soundtrack in my head colouring everything. Plus it gives me an extra coat pocket 🙂
The chapter give lists of things to do as an alternative to reading – many of these things are showing up as suggestions for folks frustrated by social isolation. My days go by quickly enough with my routines without resorting to new activities. One of the blessings of being an introvert. I enjoy my own company.
Thanks to social distancing artist dates have become more a spin than an actual event. I did three mornings of yard work (without iPod soundtrack). Those were 3 artist dates. I shared some selfies with my fans. Being where things grow was good in the face of the mounting covid toll. Things grow regardless of much of what is going on around me. Nature can recover quickly given the chance. The better air quality means better sun which means better plants.
Boss of Me
John’s theory is that
our leaders are all puppets
figure heads
who have bought
into the illusion of power
they are unaware
that they are hollow images
taking the heat
for the real powers
that hidden consortium
of non-public figures
who make the real decisions
who exert the right squeeze
and our little leaders
slump or pop up
to do what has to be done
take the blame for what has gone wrong
because leaders are just frail men
with no power to wield
no clout to get the job done
often not even attractive to look at
thus even more believable
John tells me that politics
are another form of entrainment
media fodder
to keep us diverted
from the real holders of power
so that we are amused numbed
by the constant barrage of sound bites
cell cam videos
of presidents getting blow jobs
when they should be getting us out of wars
wherever the hell they are
because even where they are
isn’t the the real war
it is a more elaborate movie set
with real lives being lost
to keep our attention from
what is really going on
John isn’t sure what is really going on
he is confident it isn’t what we see
it isn’t what accept as the truth
because there is no truth
only monetized divertion statics
the struggle for freedom
from Tibet to Kensington market
is upscale name branding
he is sure of that
sometimes I believe John
sometimes I don’t care
where do we place our faith
what is worth the energy to change
if it can be changed
because revolution
has been copyrighted by
estee lauder
the latest scent
a mix of blood oil jasmine
with woody undertone
John is convinced
that if it isn’t making someone money
it isn’t going to happen
war happens because it is big business
pandemics are even bigger business
even as the population dwindles
going green isn’t happening
because the profit margins
are too low
some people can’t afford
to save the planet
& that he finds is sad
I don’t disagree
when I do it starts another litany
of who runs what
who really holds the power
or if there is any power
stronger than futility
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