(For my better half - who sometimes has to remind me to make a gratitude list)

 

 

 

 

 

Bernadette Mayer May 12, 1945 - November 22, 2022

Tree honoring Poet Bernadette Mayer, St. Mark's Church courtyard - photo by Phil Good

A tree has been planted honoring Bernadette Mayer in the historic courtyard of St. Mark's Church-in-the -Bowery. It is near a tree honoring American playwright Sam Shepard, whose first plays were performed at the church's Theater Genesis in the mid sixties, he also married first wife Olan there in a raucous wedding ceremony in 1969. The courtyard is also home to the burial vaults of Peter Stuyvesant - Director General of the colony of New Amsterdam, as well as Daniel D. Tompkins - Vice President of the United States under President James Monroe. I'd always found the courtyard a good place to escape the city's pace, meditate and perhaps catch a thread of poetry's frayed fabric. Most likely,  I will never see Bernadette's tree in person but I am happy knowing it is there. Its blossoms will be red come the Spring.

Today we honor Bernadette's memory at the completion date of her life's work. I was stumped on how I'd honor her this week until I found myself listening to Frank Zappa's version of Stairway to Heaven. In the late 80's Bernadette taught writing at a junior college on Staten Island.  Her students, she said, were a challenge but she was able to negotiate a bargain with them. If they ploughed through all the required course work quickly she'd teach any poet they wanted. They chose Jim Morrison of The Doors. During the years of endless discussions on what we were reading,  I'd often mention reading Morrison's poems and she'd mention that, as she prepared for her teaching of said poet/singer she  got to like his work quite a bit.  She also told me that both Lou Reed & Patti Smith were quite serious about poetry and attended many readings at the church. Patti even took Bernadette's legendary (1971-1974) workshop. Some years ago I read an interview where Bernadette mentioned teaching Jim Morrison's verse & Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven - telling the interviewer that Stairway to Heaven was actually a very good poem, which surprised me. So today I choose to honor my great friend, mentor and love from many lifetimes with this beautiful, emotion packed version of  Stairway to Heaven. Watch it...and...as they say...wait for it. I know Bernadette would love this.

https://www.bernadettemayer.com/poetry-state-forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veterans Day

 

Honoring my father William Robert DeNoyelles Sr. for his service in WWII (enlisting at around age 17), protecting his country and sacrificing his youth for our Freedom. He spoke of receiving a pen & pencil set from his sister overseas, after getting the news that she had died suddenly. Expressing gratitude to all men and women both living and dead who have served our Country - Thank You! For your service and sacrifice!

https://t2t.org

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

A beautiful song by Al Stewart, who has an impeccable understanding of history. Truly worth a listen. 

It has never failed to bring a tear to my eye.

 

 

 

 

We The People...

 

Whore of Babylon