You wander.
We all do.
Uncertainty can often
blur your surroundings.
Unclear.
The map is always there,
the lines signify the path
you need to follow.
You simply have to find
the direction.
It is all in your hands.
© 2017 j.g. lewis
unclear
gr@ffiti
Anguish or confusion,
sometimes it is the way.
Anxiety takes over.
What else can you say
as you try to put aside all
the feelings that dog you
anyway. No pain today.
Try as you might to
see your way through.
No pain. Not today.
09/14/2023 j.g.l.
Mondays are just young Fridays
There is very little that can be said about Eric Clapton that hasn’t already been said; except I saw him last night.
I’ve been listening to the musician, in all stages of his career, over the past five decades and he has been around even longer than that.
Through the years I’ve grown to appreciate Clapton more as a performer, recording artist, and as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, but I’ve never seen him live; until last night.
He was everything (and more) that I expected, playing selections from his lengthy career, and paying homage not only the blues artists who have influenced him but also to friends no longer with us.
Clapton and his band kicked of the Toronto concert with a cover of The Band’s The Shape I’m in, a fitting tribute to his longtime Canadian friend Robbie Robertson. Then, later, a tune he once recorded with Tina Turner: Tearing Us Apart.
The show was filled with both popular hits and selections you could tell he felt like playing. With a catalogue like Clapton’s there could have been even more hits, but he did what he had to do.
At age 79, Clapton’s seemingly effortless prowess on electric and acoustic guitar was both mature and effective. There were a lot of “wow” moments.
It was quite an evening.
What else can I say?
09/11/2023 j.g.l.
I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.
Mondays are just young Fridays
Posted on December 26, 2016 by j.g.lewis
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In 1988 I booked a trip to Minneapolis in late September for a much-needed getaway; four days in a favourite city and the opportunity to see Prince in concert. When booking the trip, I was offered a deal on tickets to the George Michael concert the night before. The singer was flying high with his album Faith, and while not a big fan, the music was decent, and I was going to be in the city anyway.
Over that weekend we saw two phenomenal concerts. Prince was more than expected and, I suppose, Michael was as well (a consummate performer, and man what a voice).
The weekend came to mind yesterday evening when I heard of Michael’s passing. I even related the story, and then realized both musicians were now dead not even 30 years later.
Each of them passed away in 2016, among so many other great artists who have recently left the stage. 2016 has not been a good year. David Bowie, Glen Frey, Alan Rickman, Paul Kantner, Leonard Cohen, Greg Lake; I could mention more and most names would resonate in one way or another.
And 2017 will, in all likelihood, produce a similar number of artists and celebrities we have come to know well through popular culture. Yes, the baby boomers are getting up there in age.
While saddening, it is heartfelt to think of how these entertainers and how they had some sort of an impact on us. We also have to take stock of our own lives. None of us are immortal or infallible. We are never sure when our number will be called, so there is no better time to make the most of what we have left.
Make more when there is less to waste.
It may be that you need to work a little harder on that dream you’ve kept at bay, or move where you thought you always wanted to live, or take that trip. Bury that hatchet with that old friend, take those two classes that have held you back from the college degree, or take a new class just for the sake of learning something new.
We are not sure what time is left, so why not spend it doing something you want to do?
“There’s something deep inside of me.
There’s someone else I’ve got to be.”
George Michael
Freedom! ‘90
Peace
Peace of mind, peace
of mine. Peace not of
opportunity, but in these
confusing times. Peace at
home and peace in all
foreign lands, peace in
my sister’s words and in
my brother’s hands.
Peace not only in concept,
and peace not just in kind,
but peace we are all to be
worthy of; a peace we can
surely find. A peace of
which someday we won’t
need to be reminded the
possibility exists. Peace in
every child’s gentle dream,
and in every lover’s kiss.
Peace can be here, when
we chose to allow it to be,
but we all have to do it
together, even if individually.
Peace can be a promise, or
peace can be the way.
Peace is something to be
spoken of, and not only
on this day.
Let there be peace on Earth
and let it begin with me.
j.g.l.
