I was completely smitten when I first heard Bright Forms when it came out on Spotify. After listening to it over and over again, I went to your playlist and Poems for Vows was the next song. Perhaps it just didn't fit the mood I happened to be in at the time, but also the unrhymed words leading the unfamiliar structure were simply too much for me to process upon the first listen. I suppose I'd expected the song to be easier, so I dismissed it.
Now, a few days later, having read the poem by itself and the personal stories behind it, I listened to it again and – gasp! – it touched me and became a new favorite. A world opened up.
To me, this is a remarkable reminder of how easy it is not to appreciate the plain-sight treasures of this world, how easy it is to let them slip by unnoticed, or even worse: label and brush them off without getting to know them first. And also of how important it is to have creators and curators whose tastes we trust, to show us where and how to look for what is valuable. Who have the ability to "enroll" us into seeing it.
Of course you have a connection to Micheal Zapruder, if I’m thinking of the same person. I saw him open for possibly The Decemberists at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis. I was a fan instantly. That was nearly 20 years ago but I still remember what a breath of fresh air he was. I would have the same experience many years later when I see you perform for the first time.
I was completely smitten when I first heard Bright Forms when it came out on Spotify. After listening to it over and over again, I went to your playlist and Poems for Vows was the next song. Perhaps it just didn't fit the mood I happened to be in at the time, but also the unrhymed words leading the unfamiliar structure were simply too much for me to process upon the first listen. I suppose I'd expected the song to be easier, so I dismissed it.
Now, a few days later, having read the poem by itself and the personal stories behind it, I listened to it again and – gasp! – it touched me and became a new favorite. A world opened up.
To me, this is a remarkable reminder of how easy it is not to appreciate the plain-sight treasures of this world, how easy it is to let them slip by unnoticed, or even worse: label and brush them off without getting to know them first. And also of how important it is to have creators and curators whose tastes we trust, to show us where and how to look for what is valuable. Who have the ability to "enroll" us into seeing it.
Thank you for being one of them,
a friend from Poland
this is so so so lovely to read... thank you for sharing your experience!!! truly means a lot.
Even if I weren’t your dad, I am pretty sure this would make me cry. But anyway, it does… So beautiful, no words.
Sweet, sweet, sweet. Much love to you beautiful, talented, dark semi-optimists.
Don't think you didn't have a role in moving us along... ;-)
"they cannot stop it, they take off
their white coats, go outside,
look up and wonder, only we
who promise everything despite
everything can tell them
the solution, only we know."
Just divine, both of you.
❤️
Permanently happy that you came to your senses, and what a beautiful way to talk about it ...
Of course you have a connection to Micheal Zapruder, if I’m thinking of the same person. I saw him open for possibly The Decemberists at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis. I was a fan instantly. That was nearly 20 years ago but I still remember what a breath of fresh air he was. I would have the same experience many years later when I see you perform for the first time.
Believe it or not, Michael is Matthew's brother! Thank you for sharing this sweet anecdote, which I will have to pass along to Matthew!