From Haiku Journey Through 20th Century Music, by Dave R. Muñoz (Haiku Dave):
(Note: you can hear all these songs on YouTube)
Haiku Song 1905
I dozed off as you red
Newston's book. . .
I had the apple coming.
Inspired by "In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree." Written by Harry H. Williams and Egbert Van Alstyne, it was thought to be inspired by an apple tree in Central Park; yet there were no apple trees in the park. Regardless of the mystery of the apple tree, this sentimental ballad was sung by Henry Burr for Edison Records on cylinder.
Haiku Instrumental 1967
On ultrasound monitor
their child is pointing
the long road ahead.
Inspired by “Embryonic Journey” by Jefferson Airplane, featuring Jorma Kaukonen on acoustic guitar. Before joining the legendary San Francisco band, Jorma traveled the Folk music circuit until he landed a spot in the Bay Area. Jorma, an accomplished guitarist, fit in perfectly with the Psychedelic Sound rolling in like fog over the Bay. Surrealistic Pillow became Jefferson Airplane's apex album and to this day appears often on best of lists. Rightly so, the album is like the perfect time travel machine into The Summer of Love. Yet in 1968 all hopes and dreams would shift
Haiku Song 1972
“Grandma,
how did the Rockies appear?”
“Great buffalos once drove earth here.”
Inspired by “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver and co-authored by Mike Taylor. After moving to Aspen, Colorado it took John Denver nine months to finish his classic tune, which for me is one of the most beautiful nature songs ever pressed on record.
Haiku Instrumental 1997
Off Key Largo
winds sound like a ghost--
wait, it’s music from Cuba’s coast.
Inspired by “Buena Vista Social Club” from the motion picture Soundtrack Buena Vista Social Club. The composition by Israel “Cachao” Lopez is a glorious theme-and-variation piece featuring Ry Cooder on guitar and national treasure Ruben Gonzales on piano. The film and CD soundtrack went on to win numerous awards. And hurray to artist Ry Cooder for his genius in seeking out and rediscovering these long-lost Cuban artists, and kudos to film director Wim Wenders for his compassionate touch!
(Note: you can hear all these songs on YouTube)
Haiku Song 1905
I dozed off as you red
Newston's book. . .
I had the apple coming.
Inspired by "In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree." Written by Harry H. Williams and Egbert Van Alstyne, it was thought to be inspired by an apple tree in Central Park; yet there were no apple trees in the park. Regardless of the mystery of the apple tree, this sentimental ballad was sung by Henry Burr for Edison Records on cylinder.
Haiku Instrumental 1967
On ultrasound monitor
their child is pointing
the long road ahead.
Inspired by “Embryonic Journey” by Jefferson Airplane, featuring Jorma Kaukonen on acoustic guitar. Before joining the legendary San Francisco band, Jorma traveled the Folk music circuit until he landed a spot in the Bay Area. Jorma, an accomplished guitarist, fit in perfectly with the Psychedelic Sound rolling in like fog over the Bay. Surrealistic Pillow became Jefferson Airplane's apex album and to this day appears often on best of lists. Rightly so, the album is like the perfect time travel machine into The Summer of Love. Yet in 1968 all hopes and dreams would shift
Haiku Song 1972
“Grandma,
how did the Rockies appear?”
“Great buffalos once drove earth here.”
Inspired by “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver and co-authored by Mike Taylor. After moving to Aspen, Colorado it took John Denver nine months to finish his classic tune, which for me is one of the most beautiful nature songs ever pressed on record.
Haiku Instrumental 1997
Off Key Largo
winds sound like a ghost--
wait, it’s music from Cuba’s coast.
Inspired by “Buena Vista Social Club” from the motion picture Soundtrack Buena Vista Social Club. The composition by Israel “Cachao” Lopez is a glorious theme-and-variation piece featuring Ry Cooder on guitar and national treasure Ruben Gonzales on piano. The film and CD soundtrack went on to win numerous awards. And hurray to artist Ry Cooder for his genius in seeking out and rediscovering these long-lost Cuban artists, and kudos to film director Wim Wenders for his compassionate touch!
From Kissing the Sky: Poetry and Photography, by Cristina Olsen:
Solar Wind
Today I woke with a far memory stirring out of the dark. I was a small child in a crib wailing alone in the night, when in he rushed, a solar wind flooding the room with light, lifting me up and holding me tight. He was my father for just a few years a wind-swept ray from the spheres. Twirling from room to room, our laughter bubbled with heat from pools of broiling glee, following the jazzy beat thumping out of the 78. Or we pounded the piano keys, hollering long forgotten ditties to the war ghosts left behind rustling the sagging blinds in the crumbling London flat. Ralph was his name, a jazzy name, a big fluffy dog name. Then he was gone, so soon, forever stuck in that gloom between the night and day of his alcohol daze, glass in hand half full. My first heartbreak, solar wind across the night sky, I’ll let you go now! |
Sky-borne Umbrellas
Senses soothed by sibilant tones, hummingbirds hovering with ease and breezes through the leaves. Bees and bumblebees too, liquid feast to sky-borne ears blotting and easing all fears. Eyes shut I marvel at the hum invading all my senses, the land below wafting up incense. In this billowing ascent sky-borne umbrellas cup the rising song a cappella. It is good to be above the din where the air is redolent with fragrant sentiment. Far below all hustles and bustles, but here above the hurtling abyss all that matters is unadorned bliss. 
|
From How Does It Feel To Be You?: And Introduction to Animism, by Oshri
"How does it feel to be you?"
Asked the child
"How does it feel to be a tree"
What does being a stone feel like?
What does being pregnant feel like?
How does it feel to grow old?
What does being water feel like?
What does being sunlight feel like?
Being earth?
Being plastic?"
When I was a child
Each new day was an adventure into the unknown
Everything moved me, excited me, stirred me
I was often frightened, but always enthusiastic
All the while it seemed as if he adults took it all in stride
Going along with their plans
Treating everything very casually. . .
Too casually
There is
Something affecting the majority of mature adults
Magic may even be forgotten
Barely memorable
The sense of wonder greatly diminished
Exhilaration and inspiration rarely occurring
And it can happen to anyone
Both to a person
And a civilization
It takes wisdom and courage
To admit it
To pick up the pieces
Rekindle the cinders
And allow magic to shine within you once again
As it did during childhood
"How does it feel to be you?"
Asked the child
"How does it feel to be a tree"
What does being a stone feel like?
What does being pregnant feel like?
How does it feel to grow old?
What does being water feel like?
What does being sunlight feel like?
Being earth?
Being plastic?"
When I was a child
Each new day was an adventure into the unknown
Everything moved me, excited me, stirred me
I was often frightened, but always enthusiastic
All the while it seemed as if he adults took it all in stride
Going along with their plans
Treating everything very casually. . .
Too casually
There is
Something affecting the majority of mature adults
Magic may even be forgotten
Barely memorable
The sense of wonder greatly diminished
Exhilaration and inspiration rarely occurring
And it can happen to anyone
Both to a person
And a civilization
It takes wisdom and courage
To admit it
To pick up the pieces
Rekindle the cinders
And allow magic to shine within you once again
As it did during childhood
