RITUAL

Rituals intend to confront a specific life issue with the purpose of bringing about a desired change, vision, or transformation. They are enactments of the myths. They are bigger than ourself and challenge us to action. Rituals are distinguished from dance as entertainment, dance as spectacle.  

     - Anna Halprin                                                                             

                                                                                                               

ring composition #2

twisteveryvertebrae

upsidedownalign

spellincantationprayer

invocationchantmantra

humansong  equinoxsun

elemental oaknests

groundletter

writepowerpowerpow er po w er powe rr poh or pohwe e r 

I create

Standing

      Squatting

 Leaning   back

          Slimy

Sticky

             Hot

On      a    pole

    With   breasts 

In your  face

I create

MYTH

Myths evoke our long buried and half forgotten selves. They are answers to the inherent need to evolve a community expression that reflects the emotional and creative needs in society. They give us the permission to go into the unknown. To explore, discover, and arrive at a new state of consciousness.

                                                                                          

     - Anna Halprin

ring composition #1

magenta sky 

                     copper 

                     memory

of full

                     arch 

spectrum

I breathe 

                     color

untangle 

                    bones

                    be born 

die and be born 

again and again

 an  d  a  gain

comelatewind

arousebeloved

beyondancient
a  wildpatience

underwateragain

and again

turquoise 

                  hem

apricot 

                   linen

                  dream

I breathe

                  color

I won’t sing America

Re:  Langston Hughes' I, too, sing America
& Walt Whitman's I Hear America Singing

The flag that flew over the Occupation of Alcatraz 1969-1971, designed by Lulie Nall, a Penobscot Indian

I won't sing America, a villanelle

I am the white daughter

Told to mind my manners

Sit pretty and sing America.

Marry and have two kids, drive down

Streets lined with asphalt and concrete,

So fortunate to be the white daughter.

Pity the poor and ignorant: buy a gown,

Drink wine for charity and for me, drunkenly.

Why won't I sing America?

After all I got out of the kitchen, kind of, but still bound.

I dined with the company, abided his abuse and neglect

Rather than come clean: I am the white daughter

Photo'd with a smile at the lynchings in town.

(Wills signed and bank accounts prove it.)

Oh no, huh uh, I won't sing America.

Hold my hand. Feel my heart pound.

Don't pine away in fear and sorrow.

Say I am the white daughter and

I refuse, I won't sing America.