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The Band | Baltimore, MD | 2024

The Ballad of Sun and Moon

MCHL WGGNS April 18, 2024

Cherry is the smallest rock in the bunch, but it helps that they are always sitting on top of Watermelon, who is arguably the largest member of the family when you consider length, width, height, weight and smoothness. Watermelon is smooth, and everyone is cool with them being the extravagant gem, because diversity is hip to this freshly knit ensemble.

Yes, as of today, they officially—started a band! The whimsical group of singer-songwriters hasn't settled on a moniker just yet because they are hyperfocused on their earthly docket, and naturally, all the pertinent issues are decided by a cosmic feat and an enthusiastic show of hands, or in the case of the metallic outliers, a flaunting of infinity fingers that express their oft knotty positions. “In due time,” is a favorite mantra of the assemblage, who despite their illusion of stasis, love a good frolic, so it is not unusual to see the Gang of Twelve (currently in the running for: Best Band Name Thus Far) sporting natty pairs of well worn Dr. Martens when duty calls, unanimous in their delight for proper foot care as they zigzag around the globe, celebrating their fetish-of-the-day along the endless elevations of Gaia.

Despite this luxury of total freedom, the band prefers to be chauffeured by Sun and Moon, who live at the tippy top of creation, with a fabulous view, and coincidentally—just got married! Forever linked on April, 8th, the one-love newlyweds tickle themselves with symbolism, so the matrimonial date was predestined with April being the fourth month of the Gregorian, and four times two (Moon and Sun) equals eight, and the year, two thousand twenty four, was enchantingly two plus (or times) two equals four, and if that wasn't enough juju, Aries was the first sign in the zodiac.

Alas, not everything was auspicious to Sun and Moon. If you were introduced to them at a party, the couple would invariably let you know that it was perfectly acceptable to refer to them as Moon and Sun, or, Sun and Moon. "Mix it up, have fun!" they would say, in unison. However, it was widely understood that when speaking about them publicly, they insisted on being presented as a pair. But they weren't sticklers about this bit of kink, nor would they call you out if you neglected the courtesy, instead, you would be schooled in a more subtle way. The way of the village. A way that did not require their presence.

Moon and Sun passionately trusted the band to educate and enlighten. To spread the word. Or was it a feeling? This tangible vs. ethereal discussion was topical and also on their global short-list. The idea of whether it needed to be said, and if so, by whom? They were a lovingly thoughtful friend circle so they respectfully put a pin in it. Nevertheless, if a neighbor innocently said, "Sun, when will the burgers be ready?" There would be a hush, nearly inconceivable, merely lasting a second, and then, Cherry would tip-toe with a mild sense of urgency towards the wafting mojo in the room—which was you. You were the mojo. That certain someone who unexpectedly, or unknowingly, or perhaps through sheer laziness, was divinely repentant. And you felt it, immediately. The second it came out of your mouth. Why you even finished the sentence was mind boggling. Were you that hungry? And Cherry would look you in the eye, because they could, because they were sitting on top of Watermelon, and they would whisper with that disconcerting Yoda tenderness, "Sun and Moon," which was chased by a fleeting scent of magnolia, and then again, alternatively, "Moon and Sun," suspended in air, holding you in their lingering gaze until the words were inked upon your tongue.

The nascent collective worked as a unit. They were rock. They were metal. They were united in song, with perfect pitch, the epitome of Om.





⌘

Tags Eclipse, Poetry, Love, Music, Fiction

Proper Mind | Harlem, NYC | 1997

The Process

MCHL WGGNS July 27, 2023

I'm looking for things to write about.

I haven't written much lately other than my journal, but I have been thinking creatively via photography.

I've been reading a lot these last few weeks. I'm taking it slow with The Paris Review Book: of Heartbreak, Madness, Sex, Love, Betrayal, Outsiders, Intoxication, War, Whimsy, Horrors, God, Death, Dinner, Baseball, ... and Everything Else in the World Since 1953. And before that, the Walter Isaacson book on Steve Jobs. The Isaacson pretty much flew by and quenched my curiosity about Apple, while The Review is setting off firecrackers.


Hence
my salivating
to actively rest
fingertips
on sensitive keys
and gentleness.

Ambient piano
stereophonic
on the Yamahas,
a duet of notes
and unicorns
vying for my paws.

Tap, tap, tap
the endless clicks,
an inner frenzy
of love
& happiness.

This is basically how all my blogs begin. Experiments conceived, contemplated, contrived, coddled, criticized, "and some more shit" as my beautiful friend in Harlem would say, and she meant it, with a subtle lean as she sucked the air straight out of her cheek. You could bet on it.

Literary fiction. When you say it like that it sounds rather—infinite. That's my genre, and it should read like Lorrie Moore, whose short story "Terrific Mother" made me swoon. So yeah, I'm looking for fiction, but I think I'll make a t-shirt first, just to be sure it's cool. Simple black cotton tee with letters in white:

I’m looking for fiction.

Folks will approach me when I'm wearing the minimalist couture and they'll say, "Hey, I'm not sure if it's fiction, but there was this one time …" And I'll listen while I frame the shot because you know I'll be hustling a photograph while they tell me all about it. I don't get out much. I'm a homebody. When I'm doing all that reading, I like to be comfy in my bed, laid back, feet up, with a single light focused on the page. But yeah, fiction in the streets. I'm wearing that mantra. And if I'm digging the story they tell me, I'll give them a homemade business card so they can get themselves a t-shirt, for free: because they gave me something to write about.

That's love.




⌘

Tags Poetry, Love, Fiction, Happiness, Nonfiction

All the Same but Slightly Different | Baltimore, MD | 2022

Said No One Ever

MCHL WGGNS March 25, 2023



this
of course
so there’s that 
checks all the boxes
right?
i get it
that being said
here’s the thing
how did that work out?
asking for a friend
you know what i mean?
you have no idea
wait for it
deep dive
is that a thing?
look
i can’t not
good luck with that
just saying
said no one ever





⌘

Tags Poetry
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  • 2025
    • May 31, 2025 Sun Salutation May 31, 2025
    • Mar 20, 2025 In Memory Mar 20, 2025
    • Jan 31, 2025 Pop the Hood Jan 31, 2025
  • 2024
    • Nov 30, 2024 Speed Dating Nov 30, 2024
    • Jul 14, 2024 The Debut Jul 14, 2024
    • May 17, 2024 The Collaboration May 17, 2024
    • Apr 18, 2024 The Ballad of Sun and Moon Apr 18, 2024
    • Mar 25, 2024 Traveling Light Mar 25, 2024
    • Feb 21, 2024 Dawn Patrol Feb 21, 2024
    • Jan 12, 2024 Awakened by a Dream Jan 12, 2024
  • 2023
    • Nov 16, 2023 Benefit Exhibition at Maryland Art Place Nov 16, 2023
    • Oct 31, 2023 Preach Oct 31, 2023
    • Sep 29, 2023 Thanks for Inviting Me Sep 29, 2023
    • Aug 31, 2023 Teenage Musical Theory Aug 31, 2023
    • Jul 27, 2023 The Process Jul 27, 2023
    • Jun 15, 2023 The House Jun 15, 2023
    • May 31, 2023 Church May 31, 2023
    • Apr 27, 2023 The Ponies Apr 27, 2023
    • Mar 25, 2023 Said No One Ever Mar 25, 2023
    • Feb 19, 2023 Patterns Feb 19, 2023
    • Jan 22, 2023 Red Bows and BBQ Jan 22, 2023
  • 2022
    • Dec 7, 2022 Holiday Exhibition at Maryland Art Place Dec 7, 2022
    • Nov 30, 2022 Mash-Up: The Dance of Two Nov 30, 2022
    • Oct 9, 2022 Don't Think Oct 9, 2022
    • Sep 28, 2022 Partially Based on a True Story Sep 28, 2022
    • Aug 30, 2022 Breezy Meditations on Urban Still Life: Part II Aug 30, 2022
    • Jul 31, 2022 Breezy Meditations on Urban Still Life Jul 31, 2022
    • Jun 27, 2022 A New Frame of Mind Jun 27, 2022
    • Feb 27, 2022 Life Is But a Dream Feb 27, 2022
  • 2021
    • Dec 31, 2021 The Year in Rearview Dec 31, 2021
    • Oct 15, 2021 My Record Collection: (1952-1992) Oct 15, 2021
    • Sep 25, 2021 Embers of the Spirit Sep 25, 2021
    • Aug 31, 2021 One Year in Baltimore Aug 31, 2021
    • Jul 29, 2021 A Portrait of Anthony, Fear and Compassion Jul 29, 2021
    • Jun 23, 2021 Different Color Socks Jun 23, 2021
    • May 29, 2021 The Oui in We May 29, 2021
    • Apr 27, 2021 I Was Baptized in a Jacuzzi Apr 27, 2021
    • Mar 19, 2021 Ten Marches Since My Last Confession Mar 19, 2021
    • Feb 26, 2021 The Early Beginnings of the Vibe Rater Feb 26, 2021
    • Jan 25, 2021 The Poet Dunbar, or, Something About Sanctity Jan 25, 2021
  • 2020
    • Dec 29, 2020 The Year in Haiku Dec 29, 2020
    • Nov 24, 2020 Art in Everyday Life Nov 24, 2020
    • Oct 29, 2020 Total and Absolute Love Oct 29, 2020
    • Sep 29, 2020 The Notion of a Tree Sep 29, 2020
    • Aug 31, 2020 The New Situation Aug 31, 2020
    • Jul 30, 2020 The Day I Broke Joe's Heart Jul 30, 2020
    • Jun 30, 2020 I Relax My Toes, I Relax My Toes, My Toes Are Relaxed Jun 30, 2020
    • May 28, 2020 Constantly Camping, or, Tending to Sophia May 28, 2020
    • Apr 29, 2020 The Healing Dance Apr 29, 2020
    • Mar 27, 2020 Nothing but Good Feelings Mar 27, 2020
    • Feb 9, 2020 Whose Legs Are These? Feb 9, 2020
  • 2019
    • Dec 23, 2019 The Patina of Memory Dec 23, 2019
    • Nov 27, 2019 The Light of Your Faith Nov 27, 2019
    • Nov 22, 2019 A Million Smiley Faces Nov 22, 2019
    • Oct 26, 2019 Mama Always Said I Would Be a Student for Life Oct 26, 2019
    • Aug 23, 2019 Welcome to Opening Night of My Virtual Photography Exhibition Aug 23, 2019
    • Jul 19, 2019 Awkward Ironic Pleasurable Pressure Jul 19, 2019
    • Jun 22, 2019 What is Art? Jun 22, 2019
    • Jun 9, 2019 Being Content : A Practical Guide to Awareness Jun 9, 2019
    • May 27, 2019 Meditation, Mindfulness and Detachment May 27, 2019
    • May 16, 2019 A Bit of Writing from the 80s May 16, 2019
    • May 2, 2019 Professor Wiggins: Higher Education May 2, 2019
    • Jan 28, 2019 Snap Out of It Jan 28, 2019
    • Jan 14, 2019 Values, Objectives and Results Jan 14, 2019
  • 2018
    • Dec 31, 2018 The Year in Review Dec 31, 2018
    • Dec 20, 2018 Fast Food Meditation Dec 20, 2018
    • Oct 13, 2018 New Canvas Oct 13, 2018
    • Sep 28, 2018 A Matter of Time Sep 28, 2018
    • Sep 20, 2018 Perpetual Tea, or, Preparing Our Minds for Anything Sep 20, 2018
    • Sep 14, 2018 Sisterhood Sep 14, 2018
    • Sep 12, 2018 This is Poetry Sep 12, 2018
    • Aug 30, 2018 The Composition of Stasis Aug 30, 2018
    • Aug 27, 2018 The Power of the Soul Aug 27, 2018
    • Aug 18, 2018 Bandit's Silver Angel Aug 18, 2018
    • Aug 17, 2018 Introspection Aug 17, 2018
    • Aug 5, 2018 An Offering Aug 5, 2018
    • Jul 19, 2018 Beginner's Mind Jul 19, 2018
    • Jul 17, 2018 Aromatherapy Jul 17, 2018
    • Jul 14, 2018 Proper Relaxation Jul 14, 2018
    • Jun 21, 2018 All Roads Lead to Love Jun 21, 2018
    • Apr 26, 2018 Ways of Seeing Apr 26, 2018
    • Apr 15, 2018 The Track and the Choo Choo Apr 15, 2018
    • Mar 16, 2018 The Fragile Nature of Fate Mar 16, 2018
    • Feb 27, 2018 The Art of Feeling Feb 27, 2018
    • Jan 13, 2018 I Am Wide Awake Jan 13, 2018
  • 2017
    • Dec 24, 2017 Our Earthly Bodies Dec 24, 2017
    • Dec 10, 2017 Polaroid Swinger Dec 10, 2017
    • Dec 4, 2017 Happiness Dec 4, 2017
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MCHL WGGNS