The Play Book

I began composing my Playbook Song Cycle this past packet period. Past packet. Ha. I like it. Nothing like beginning with the digression.

My first attempts at "play writing" involve card games. This whole --- chapter?, if you will -- is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother. I say her memory because that is what has gone missing. We all mourn the loss of her mind, particularly my mother who is her devoted and tireless caretaker. So far I have composed War, Solitaire and Pyramid. Next up are Hearts and Spades. I may write specific motifs as to the hands of Poker...and other ideas like that. So far I am shocked at the quantity of math and formula with which I am imbuing my work. It is as if my verbal and math mind are merging into one. I like that aspect of the works and hope to experience the recording and realization of the pieces this summer.

On another note, I am beginning my work with the Stoning of Soraya M. project. This weekend I hope to have thru-composed the first two movements of the piece as well as a skeletal draft of the remaining movements. I am including some poetry I have written called "Fairies" in the set and hope to include poetry and quotes of other women survivors of abuse, neglect and violence in my work. I am currently seeking those contributions.

My emotional journal has morphed in practice to a book of daily intentions -- like the daily prayers in a Catholic church but these are my smallest intentions set to improvisational music and voice. Only a few senteces each -- although I suspect a few diatribes are in my near future-- these give me the satisfaction and daily exercise of composing. I find as I incorporate more writing into my daily practice that I am more drawn to practices involving immersion in the moment -- particularly dance and yoga. I am starting back my dance and yoga practice on Thursdays. I cannot wait.

Hope the world is treating everyone swell,
MB Disco