My Last Night in Black Mountain

     I drove over to the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville this afternoon.  The poet Jonathan Williams was in one documentary there in which he described what it was like being a student at the College. Also watched the dvd, Fully Awake which had Arthur Penn, Charles Stix, Merce Cunningham, and many others sharing their memories about the school.

     Lunch was at the Sprouted Seed then headed over to the Thomas Wolfe museum.  I really should read :  "Look Homeward, Angel."  The guide, Mr. Spivey, was excellent and told us that a film is coming out called Genius about Wolfe in December.

     Ended the evening with a book reading and signing at Malaprops.  David Payne read from Barefoot to Avelon.  Perfect end to a literary day.

Channeling Black Mountain College

Dark clouds cover

Eden Lake

as I read on the 

porch of 

The Studies Building.

was this the place where

Arthur Penn

directed his first play?

Where _______

led his philosophy class?

(more on the classes and the influence of BMC)

The List

The List

Black Mountain College

a place where teachers, 

students, and  families 

lived together on 

a campus that they helped 

to build, nurture, and grow.

Shared meals,

conversations begun

in the classroom 

continued at dinner and

into the night.

No grades

Students accepted into 

grad school with no 

questions asked

John Cage

Merce Cunningham

Willem de Kooning

(looking like Marlon Brando)

Buckminster Fuller

Ray Johnson

Robert Raschenberg

M. C. Richards

Arthur Penn

Changed the face of 

American art.

You're the Top

   You're the top,

just like Madame Curie,

you're the top,

you won't have to worry.

You've got the smile,

you've got the style,

so stop!

Oh Margot, you're the top!

You're the Charles,

you're the Boston Common.

you've got finesse,

like a Boston Brahman.

You're a melody,

a symphony,

by Bach.

Oh, Margot, you're the top!

You're the top,

just like Audrey Hepburn.

You're the top,

just like

Senator Warren,

You're a holiday,

a funny play by Spock!

Oh, Margot, you're the top. 

You're a rose

in the Minot Playground,

you're a boat

in the Bay of Broad Sound.

You make us smile,

we'd walk for miles,

or hop!

Oh, Margot you're the top.

You're a sigh

God-Smacked

God-Smacked

(Montreat, August, 2015)

Everywhere I look

sunlight on the hills

pre-schoolers walking in a line in front of me

strung together like little peas

on their way to do what pre-schoolers do best.

Joggers out for a morning run,

Me being warmed by the morning sun.

Chants being sung from the forest --

whoa - a - oh - a- oh

whoa - a oh - a - oh

A leaf blower shrieks

from the deck below.

The cacophony doesn't disturb me though.

Peace within, peace within.

Above, below, beside me.

Just being

Seeing

Here.

Footprints 2015

Last night at ADF, the students performed in three pieces.  Simply fabulous!   During the last performance, people were screaming their approval.  I'm so impressed with student performers.

Planning to go again tonight.

Big Red, Part Two

"Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah,
someone's in the kitchen I know..."

Circling continues
movement flows
Many smiles.

"Are you doing ok"?

For now, a respite
before transitioning to lily pads
with  feet spiraling
legs unfolding
moving, living, breathing!

Yes, thank you!

"You had homework from yesterday
Are you ready?"

the homework to me
like a warm up for a recital at Carnegie Hall.
Go ahead, take my breath away!

Josephine agrees.  She was a dancer.
Moved here from Berkeley last year.
We know
this is spectacular.
To be here witnessing
is very very special indeed.

Gerri Houlihan
was born to dance
shares the joy
shares the love
the passion.

"Can you believe I get paid to do this?"

Andy's voice comes through a cloud
transforms the space
I am speechless --
thrilled
Thank you, Andy Hasenpflug
from Slippery Rock
so good to see you again.

The student A.J,
speaks with me
studied Limon technique at VCU
I shall send him this poem.

Wishing Sarah could be here
to share in the tableau.

It is true.  Dance is life itself.
Woman with a braid spreads her
arms
embraces the space
spins effortlessly     glides
this is joyful
this is spiritual

The Daughter of Dance comes forward
to demonstrate
rounde de jambe
plié   plié
a Vizcaya moment

all shimmery and golden