And My Beat Goes On
Two things happened recently. I heard author and rock journalist, Sylvie Simmons talk about her latest book, I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen and several of my poems were included in the anthology, And The Beats Go On, published by Redwood Writers, a branch of the California Writers Club. The combination has brought me to a finish.
- I’ve finished with the questions that may never have answers.
- I’ve finished with the people that can’t understand.
- I’ve finished thinking that everyone else is better.
When I heard Sylvie play the songs of Leonard Cohen, simply and honestly on a ukulele, without amplification; I thought back to the living room, next to the dining room, where, Balanced On The Edge of the Crowd” opens. In that room, I played Leonard Cohen’s first album until I had it memorized. I also carried a copy of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s, A Coney Island of the Mind–it too, memorized.
Today Leonard and Lawrence are with me still and:
- I have answers to the questions I was afraid to ask.
- I have people around that understand.
- I am as good as anybody.
Not bad for a day’s work. The part that is Beyond Cuckoo is how long it took to get here.
http://www.amazon.com/Im-Your-Man-Leonard-Cohen/dp/0061995002/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
http://www.amazon.com/Redwood-Writers-2014-Poetry-Anthology/dp/1496094611/
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MAY
2014
About the Author:
Elaine Webster writes fiction, creative non-fiction, essays and poetry from her studio in Las Cruces, New Mexico—in the heart of the Land of Enchantment. “It’s easy to be creative surrounded by the beauty of Southern New Mexico. We have the best of everything—food, art, culture, music and sense of community.”