Thursday 12 April 2012

Hi everyone, and welcome to my May Blog!

Poet’s Block...

Sometimes I find that no words will come to me, and trying to write lines at these times almost always ensures that anything written is not up to my liking or standard.

The solution usually is to take break and allow experiences and holidays to refresh the store of thoughts from which the poems come.

Another good idea is to read anthologies to see what styles and techniques other poets have used; no bad thing to add to the “tools” in the armoury available.

Or... to write the poem from differing viewpoints, not solely the first person (yourself) but from others. For example:-

A love poem, with alternate verses by the two lovers.
The Life of Jesus, but as told by his sandals (see below).
One event, with differing impressions from three eyewitnesses.


Sandals speech, by “Lefty”.

It’s a tough job being the footwear for this chap!

His feet sweat alright, lots! And the dust after he’s walked miles and miles in the day, caked on like a crust of grunge and sand. His feet have worn the insoles to a shine with contact; hard skin and calluses rasping the once newly matt leather to a shine; darkened of course by oil and sweat (that again!).

Not that folks notice us, his footwear. They focus on the other end: his gentle eyes and ready smile for everyone, and his words, they really listen to them. He’s going places and we go too.

That sermon up on the mount; boy did he go on some, good stuff mind you! We had to take the full weight for about an hour or so. Our motto should be: “They also serve who bear the weight of those who stand”. I expect some clever so and so in the future, most likely will nick our motto, or adapt it. But that’s life and we do our job well in protecting and cushioning the load of walking, dancing, etc.

We got no rest after he instructed the others among His company to “take only one tunic”; after that they all, he first naturally, took to wearing one pair of sandals all the time.

Even the poorest people have another pair of sandals; just to feel that lovely cool freshness when you first slip them on. But he’s on a mission to share the “good news” as he calls it, so he and they travel light with the minimum of possessions; ready to stay or set off anytime.

Both of us are now a little battle fatigued by the roads travelled. I – “Lefty” -having a few cracks across the surface of the straps; while my companion -”Wrighty” is a wearing a little loose on the layers of the sole.

Due to the stance and walking moves of our owner, one of us is worn more heavily on the heels and front toes than the other. Are you curious to know which one – Lefty or Wrighty? Modesty and respect for Him prevent us from revealing this. We also know how he likes his feet washed; and in what order, left or right; again on this we’re keeping quiet!

We travel on, his feet pressing down, the earth and roads pressing up under us all the time; except when he’s sleeping or fording a river. Oh to feel as if we were floating up and up into the clouds, not to come down, the pressure on us finally off for good. Here’s hoping!

© Louis J. Casson 2010 All rights reserved.
The above is prose not poetry, so here’s my conversion... I only used some parts of the prose text converting to poetic language and phrasing, also adding elements of scripture and the blues. Like several of my pieces it falls somewhere between lyrics and a poem.

Talking Jesus Ascension Blues.
 

Why you looking skywards for him?

He’s gone ascended, raised up from this ground.

Returning this way, the same someday,

Greeting those lost who have Him found.

”Take only one pair of sandals”:

but I was not able, in my surplus riches

this box I could not check.

His words felt like straw,

 choked inside my throat,

 a noose around my neck

He wore his sandals out, wading in the Jordan River,

grinding through all the dust and sweat.

Stood midday giving his sermon on the mount

but the toughest blooded glory

lay waiting for Him yet.


                                           Why you looking skywards for him?

He’s gone ascended, raised up from this ground.

Returning this way, the same someday,

Greeting those lost who have Him found.

Taken up taken up

at that glorious reappearing,

 for coming back he’ll be.

 Caught up in the air to be with Him forever,

while all angels and saints sing eternally.
 

Cease your looking skywards for him.

He’s gone ascended, raised up from this ground.

Returning this way, the same someday,

Greeting those lost, who have Him found.


This Blues poem lyric © Louis J. Casson 2012 All rights reserved.

My 2012 Blog plans...

I’ve linked My Blogs to come just before my Post Weekend poetry items, which will appear:

017, ‘When the Great Strength Fails’, 16th April.
039, ‘First Contact’, 17th September.
056, ‘Cats passing on the trail’, 14th January 2013.

To take a look, click on the link:-
http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/post-weekend-poetry/

Post Weekend Poetry is hosted by my fellow writer and friend Morgen Bailey; who has kindly started this page for poets, a good way of expanding your web readership.
 

Louis’ Digital Jukebox.

Here’s the link to my music selection for this month.

Barry Manilow, playing the tracks ‘Paradise Cafe’ & ‘Blue’:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg5XqMHmgVg


That’s all for now folks, off to the Lake District soon,
http://www.edgeguide.co.uk/cumbria/whitehaven.html
till my next Blog due around10th September take care.

Best wishes, Louis J  


This Blog content, Poems & Lyrics, Copyright Louis J. Casson 2012.
See more about Louis J. Casson on Behance: http://www.behance.net/LJCasson

Monday 13 February 2012

My Valentine's Day Poems / Scots Music

Hi everyone, and welcome to my first Blog of 2012!
 
Still catching up after Christmas etc, but I thought I would make time to add to the annual Valentine’s festivities.
 
First up we have a poem I wrote concerning love for a cat, an elegy in two parts. Although  I don’t have cats at home  do like them, this is in memory of my Aunt’s cat Pebbles who used to greet me each time I went to the Lake District to see family.
 

Cat Love, an Elegy.

i.            We Two

My love is returned.

Unconditional and eager, on seeing me you rush to re-bond,

reclose our void of absence.
 

I love you in return.

Warmly resting on my lap, curled like a child you sleep.

Secure: our even breaths the hours mark,

as devotion together we keep.

  

ii.          Goodbye to Birds

Birds sing at dawn till the sun’s rays shine true.

They sing at dusk, till stars in black

come though the deepening blue.


                  Birds sang at dawn for you my sweet,

calling you to kitten games of catch.

Then you presented them to me,

sad trophies of feline affection.  



Now birds will sing at dusk.

You can no longer catch them, so they will,

sing your small soul to peace,

while my broken heart beats still.


From: “The Secrets Summer Keeps” (Love Poems Volume 1)
 This poem © Louis J. Casson 2010 All rights reserved.





Making room: deleting some options to focus on others, my 2012 plans...


The above title is related to Solution Focused Coaching which I’ve been reading up on again lately along with Transpersonal coaching.


Rather than make the usual New Year resolutions which, usually I don’t keep, I decided to take a short time out period to recharge the batteries and consider what future directions my new poetry/arts projects will take.
 

Last year I made: 

An album of poems with music on iTunes  - “Love and Blues”, by Casson/Sheinman,

A new poetry book - “See You in the Big Time” on Amazon Kindle,

Various MP3 audio files of poem readings

Plus taster books of Reggae and Blues poems!


More than enough, time for a pause and a break! Thank you to all who downloaded the taster book offers or bought the books or iTunes album. Much appreciated.

I ‘ll keep you in the loop re my plans for 2012.

      
Time for another love poem. This is a newly written one, about constant thoughts of the other, which all other events somehow never push the thoughts out of mind.

The lines gave a Haiku like sparcity, but that is how they came to me. I sometimes think my best poems are so brief they almost don’t exist...  


You = all numbers and none
 

You are number three on my list.
Not for any intentional reason

just that one and two came
then you are three.

Don’t be disheartened at this event.
The list is in progress and soon

adding four and five

you’ll be in the middle centre
heart core slice.

Feeling better?
Sadly I’m one for lists and list making.

So soon six and seven come along
then more and more

each virgin white line
despoiled and used.


But you’re still in the top entries

first to do.
I intend to cross you off as done first thing.

Well…I tried.


Lists and lines and numbers.

Making a list and you there
companion in thought

beside me.


There
whether lines or none.

Number X or Y listed
or not.

Present throughout
always you win.


OK?


This poem © Louis J. Casson 2012 All rights reserved.



Louis’ Digital Jukebox.



Here’s the links to my music selection for this month, some traditional folksongs about love ...



“O my Love is like a red red Rose”, sung by Kenneth McKellar

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXX2AJkKJNI



“On the banks of Allen Water”
A very old recording, but the only one I could find on Youtube with sung words. A haunting Scots ballad. 

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JDA5K12PLI



Jimmy Shand: the Blue Bell Polka / The Northern Lights of Aberdeen.

(this will get your toes tapping!)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdhBMv1K4gg&feature=fvwrel



The same tune but a remix with 50 Cent and Jimmy Shand. A seriously weird yet wonderful mash up!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojpy8yYTU6w



That’s all for now folks, till my next Blog due in April take care.

Happy Valentine’s!


Best wishes, Louis J  


This Blog content, Poems & Lyrics, Copyright Louis J. Casson 2012.
See more about Louis J. Casson on Behance: http://www.behance.net/LJCasson

Tuesday 22 November 2011

My Blues Blog for Christmas

Hi everyone,

And welcome to my last Blog this side of Christmas.


What with promoting my Album “Love and Blues”
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-and-blues-poems-music/id475813444

making an iPhone ringtone (“The Secrets Summer Keeps”) and
of course writing more poems lyrics, I‘ve been busy; but still found time to make this Blog for you.

“See You in the Big Time”.

Now live on Amazon Kindle with a review by Bryan Cowsert. Thanks Bryan for your positive feedback and comments !

Link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/See-You-Big-Time-ebook/product-reviews/B005QT0GO0/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Links to poems mentioned – click to hear me read these to you:-

Night Rain
http://www.upload-mp3.com/files/320686_lgkzi/Night%20Rain.mp3

Which Dictionary Did You Swallow?
http://www.upload-mp3.com/files/320685_cftxr/What%20Dictionary%20Did%20You%20Swallow.mp3


New poem: “If I don’t tell ‘em who will?”

This one came to me from a phrase overheard on the main shopping street, plus the thought that singing the Blues is in its way “testifying”. Like in a gospel church where the pastor tells the congregation how it is (“No... truly!”).

See after the poem for Aaron Neville’s version of “Tell it like it is”, second after his version of “Bird on a Wire” in my book.

If I don’t tell ‘em who will?


If I don’t tell ‘em
reckon no one will.
Then no one

will know that thrill.

Of how a good love, deep and true,
can chase away the sadness,

it can happen for you.


So if I look at you and holler

Don’t slide on by
crying “enough”.

It’s for your good
and not my health.

That I’m here testifying,
sharing the gospel of my love.


If I don’t tell ‘em
reckon no one knows.

Each soul passing’s ripe for love’s harvest

whether slick
or ragged clothes.

Love’s glorious appearing can come upon us any day
wars n doubts n fears, uncertain

merely signs it’s on its way.


So listen good today

don’t harden up your hearts.
Takes a deal of bold and sweat

spreading love’s good news

round these parts.

Yes
Takes a deal of bold and sweat

Spreading love’s good news
round these parts.


This poem © Louis J. Casson 2011 All rights reserved.

Link to “Tell it like it is”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbbOYcEz88


“Singing the Blues” session 5th November: how it went

My last blog mentioned my taking a session in Blues singing phrasing with Andra Sparks (singing) and Nick Weldon (Piano).

Thanks Andra and Nick for a lovely day! Inspiring, and such a lot to take away to work on.

Nick Weldon & Andra Sparks Website: http://jazzschool.co.uk/


Louis’ Digital Jukebox.

Here’s the links to my music selection for this month, with a Blues flavour. Some of these tracks we went over in the “singing the Blues session”:-


“How long”, Jimmy Witherspoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc2iUltN3tc

“Bright Lights Big City”, Jimmy Reed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giGGK3Fk9co

“Big City Blues”, Mel Torme & Barry Manilow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c-wmgN6xuk

“A Bad Case of the Blues”, Dinah Washington
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpb-1vH2F5g&feature=related

“Juke Joint Blues”, Big Joe Turner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uO-47K7tc

My favourite - “House of the rising sun“, The Animals (with Eric Burdon on vocals) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmdPQp6Jcdk


Finally...

Time to start the festive season with a disco classic: “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Barry White. Featuring Lisa Stansfield as Lady Godiva seeking her horse among shoppers – strange things happen up North folks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ZRFK-1Aks


That’s all for now folks, have a happy holidays. Till my next Blog, take care. Louis J  

This Blog content, Poems & Lyrics, Copyright Louis J. Casson 2011.
See more about Louis J. Casson on Behance: http://www.behance.net/LJCasson

Saturday 1 October 2011

New book coming: See You in the Big time


Hi everyone,

“See You in the Big Time”. New book of poems lyrics coming soon.

Apologies for the long delay since my last Blog.  I had to take my summer break, plus recent  work on my new book “See You in the Big Time” , editing etc. I expect to release the book in the coming week (3 October onwards).

I’ll announce this with a link to Amazon Kindle when it’s finally all ready for sale.  


“Silenced By Love”.

This is a new poem, written in Milton Keynes library last Wednesday.

                    
                        Silenced by Love


There’s a word that
before it gets to be thunk.
Before lips move or
even the impulse to.
Lies dormant
ceasing on the tongue.


A child wants to show a picture:
“Daddy look!”
Or softly nestle up
a small soft hand in mine.

Puppies pleading
whining low
eyes looking up into mine.

Cuddles
each night kisses
before sleep.


You only want to be loved.

Only outside of the moment
could No exist.

This poem © Louis J. Casson 2011 All rights reserved.

Music tracks in production
 
I’m working with composer/musician Charles Sheinman on setting my poems lyrics to music. The pre-mastering mix of Mr. Blues was a tad scary but in a good way! I hope to share a taste of the tracks with you soon. Link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/CoolMan8

Early November Blues tuition

In early November I’m taking some tuition in singing phrasing with two professional jazz musicians. Andra Sparks (singing) Nick Weldon (Piano) Makes sense since quite a few of my pieces are Blues based and it should enhance my performance of the pieces live.


Andra Sparks, Jazz singer. Website: http://www.andrasparks.com/
Nick Weldon, Jazz piano Website: http://jazzschool.co.uk/


Louis’ Digital Jukebox.

I was in Starbucks, Milton Keynes, drinking a large Americano when I heard  Billy Holiday’s “ Good Morning Heartache” Maybe I should add this to my playlist to learn?

Here’s a link to the music:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDZOX9IdKs


That’s all for now folks.

Till my next Blog, take care.

Louis J  


This Blog content, Poems & Lyrics, Copyright Louis J. Casson 2011.
See more about Louis J. Casson on Behance: http://www.behance.net/LJCasson

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Love & Lovers. MP3 files of poem and lyrics. Music Links /Louis’ Digital Jukebox.

Hi everyone and here are more poems lyrics and music track selected by me, for your entertainment.

Firstly three poems: with the MP3 links to readings of them by myself. Then on the theme of love, links to my pick of music tracks...    
 

Poems with MP3 links.
Tip: for best listening, plug your headphones in your PC base unit.

This is Gurd

(words for the music track: “Time for Tiffin”, by Charles Sheinman)



This is Gurd, join my dreams.
Feel the air you breath go out, flow through the trees,

a kiss returns.


Softly, know,

Here is where all is and is to know.
No reasons given or needed

accepted you belong
part of Gurd’s song.


Silent, in the silence thoughts

come falling
into the waves of afternoon sleep.

Sea surf
breakers lulling friends and lovers

to mornings shore.
 

This is Gurd, join my dreams
Feel the air you breath go out, flow through the trees,

a kiss returns.

This Poem Lyric © Louis J. Casson 2011 All rights reserved.
YouTube Link to “Time for Tiffin” music video track by Charles Sheinman:

 

The View from Vanity Tower

Buying building a stack of bibles

so I can get closer to the God of heaven who lies there?

Sifting all the denominational variants n options,

convinced the truth lies in there somewhere!

Surrounding myself with a wall of high-flown books

secure against the new barbarians.

They’re advancing, scaling my Towers’ walls,

damn it they just won’t stop over there!

Keep coming closer from over there.


Who’s going to tell me that the vista of bliss,

that view from Vanity Tower.

Was blended with illusion,

while merely seeming true, not really how it was,

but it held me in it’s power.

Gather up all the rosaries, count beads, to frighten the Devil

Too long, it held me in its misguided power.

Too late to break free from the power.


Magic bullets still from us eluding

not found easy, or made of paper

in my gathered rows of books.

Thoughts, ideas live on beyond exuding,

untarnished truth, below mere looks.


Asking questions with no answers

still time is waning

until death the unknowing captures all.

Why ask questions that have no answers?

I’m only seeking truth that’s all.


Who’s going to deal with all my precious things and books

After the day I die?

Sent off to the charity shop or dumped to the tip

maybe they’ll just burn, watch the sparks go upward fly?

Black ashes, as the sparks going upwards, they fly.


It’s only the View from Vanity Tower

but it keeps you comfy for a while.

Filters and self fooling keep out better than shutters

reality or the sun.

I need to give my mind a scrub and a shower.

See better after a scrub and a shower.


This Poem Lyric © Louis J. Casson 2011  All rights reserved.
MP3 audio link:




Stroke My Soul
 

Sing, say the words that stroke my soul.

For only you have the key, that power,

that soothes all troubles, see them flow away.

And I don’t mind,

it’s so sweet not have control.


Dance, slowly in the half light gently move.

Feel the love just sharing, being here.

Our secret place suspending, all time and the world.

All is enough,

to continue in that groove.


Speak, and I will listen drinking in your words.

Each sentence, phrase, gently whispers, murmurs, purrs.

Contently calms my troubled seas,

till the world’s wearing waves of rage,

of disappointments,

become smoothed and flat.


Seek, while others seek what we have found.

Love as a silent wave flows among us

For lucky ones, swept in love’s currents

to its blessed isle.

Blessed I am to stand, to lie,

to know this ground.

This Poem Lyric © Louis J. Casson 2011  All rights reserved.
MP3 Audio link:



Bhagavad Blues



Love existing invisible: revealed

 stroking my dog, kissing my Wife,

 calling a friend.



Acting strips surface words; prosaic

even commonplace acts revealing,

essential spirits.



I have continued in love; giving you

the smallest leaf and solitary rice grain.

Here potentia - joy or sadness - lies:

did you know, or not,

what it meant?



This Poem Lyric © Louis J. Casson 2011 All rights reserved.
MP3 audio link:


See: The Bhagavad Gita. Translated by Juan Mascaro. Penguin Classics 1962
Page 45, Chapter 9:26. Krishna: “He who offers me with devotion only a leaf, or a flower, or a fruit, or even a little water, this I accept from that yearning soul, because with a pure heart it was offered with love”.



Staying on the theme of Love & Lovers, links:
Shakespeare: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s Day?

Note that the final couplet, the last two lines, give a reason for writing this or any love poem.
http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/18
 

A Jazz ballad version as sung by Cleo Laine with John Dankworth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg13WcPAHms


John Donne: Elegy XIX To His Mistress going to Bed.



Love poems by Pablo Neruda (and others!)
http://www.yourlovecoach.co.uk/love-poems/love-poems-by-pablo-neruda/



Andrew Marvel: To his Coy Mistress.
http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/marvell/coy.htm



Louis’ Digital Jukebox.
These are on my current “marvellous mashup” music listening list. Some new some old, a mix of old skool soul plus jazz:

“Neither one of us”: Gladys Knight & the Pips. A fine example of heartbreaking soul:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo2Hw0Y-NeY

Another version, live, Winsome Benjamin does her thing. Gooood!:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NasaU9kFRrU


The Stylistics: “you make me feel brand new”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyD5tAGBP9U

Sarah Vaughan: “My funny Valentine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dntaJEqH9IM&feature=related


Billy Holiday: “The very thought of you”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPJuFxl0bxY&feature=related


Dennis Edwards: “Don’t look any further”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH3rx8LhrQo&ob=av2e

Al Green: “love and happiness”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsU6_eSG4k4


Teddy Pendergrass, “Turn off the lights”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSrEdpW3PoM&feature=related


Alexander O’Neal, “Never knew love like this”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAcvYHZm47I

Atlantic Starr “Always”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgl11QAU6nA&feature=related



Hope you all enjoyed it, that’s enough for now I think!
Till my next Blog, take care. Louis J   
 

This Blog content, Poems & Lyrics, Copyright Louis J. Casson 2011.
See more about Louis J. Casson on Behance: http://www.behance.net/LJCasson