creating decorative verse in community

Singular Verse contains decorative verses in singular forms that I create. Typically, my books are made from found objects of which there is just one copy. Some of these books will be released into community in a hand to hand reading project, that recognizes the importance of face to face, tangible relationships. From person to person, book to person, person to book, then book to other, Singular Verse projects support relationships in a full circle that begins again with person to person connections. Some singular books will make their way to just one reader, maintaining the importance of the book as an art form.

Please check in from time to time to see what the next Single Offering might be.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Dancing by the Light of the Moon

As the moon swells, it seems like the best time to dance by its light, and sing the song of the Buffalo gals from 1844.....revived in 1944 as the tune Dance with the Dolly.
Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight?
Come out tonight, Come out tonight?
Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight,
And dance by the light of the moon.
adapted by John Hodges, 1844, minstrel/blackface, known as 'Cool White'
It's been hard to blog this summer as the creative voice silenced and the hands moved instead, clearing out the old to make room for the new. Revisiting the 1980s in a pile of unopened boxes revealed photos of bad haircuts, worse clothes, and some really sad color combinations. Recently, a young friend asked me, "What was with you people in the 80's?" and I had little I could say to that exclamation. Big hair, bad bow ties and Pee Wee Herman....oh, well.  So it's time now to dance into fall, and be a Buffalo gal.

I think of the sacred bison and feel my second fetish start dancing in my soul. It is carved in turquoise by Zuni artist Stewart Quandelacy of the talented Quandelacy family. I love the strength and wisdom of this animal, known as Ta Tanka in Lakota. The bison always is with me when I go to sacred spaces and sits in my left hand balancing his cousin Bear in my right. Lakota and Zuni, together, these spirits bring prayer and introspection, strength and healing, abundant journeys and protection.

So I find myself going outside now to be a buffalo gal and dance in the light of the moon, ushering in the season of fall.
For beautiful fetishes check out this gallery: http://www.keshi.com/categories/fetishes