Light and Shadow
  • Home
  • The Rains Come
  • ecographs
  • Monochrome

Blakes Tyger and the Mistress of Typhoons

9/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Rayz Reviewz Volume 1 Number 22
 
Welcome to Rayz Reviewz. Past editions are archived on my web page.  
 
In this Issue
Featured essay: Blake’s Tyger and the Mistress of Typhoons
My latest project is still live
Photos taken near Cravens House, August 28, 2018
Opportunities for Writers: Regional events go Virtual
Travels Close to Home: Chattanooga Audubon Society Events
 
Featured Essay Blake’s Tyger and the Mistress of Typhoons
 
I live in an alternate universe populated solely by me and Mary Poppins. This seems to be the image I conjure up when I tell an audience that I am a Nature Poet. Sometimes this image is true. In a state of reverie, I enter a distant land where the keys of a piano yield the soothing strains of Claire de Lune. The poet William Blake appears and reads the introduction to Songs of Innocence as I hear a child’s voice say, “Pipe a song about a lamb.”
 
With a sudden twist, Blake recites lines from a better-known poem, “Tyger, Tyger burning bright…” I see in his face the assurance of one who could gaze upon both the gentle and the destructive personas of the natural world without flinching. “Did He who made the lamb make thee?” The piano music changes to the opening from The Saber Dance. The goddess Kali appears, wearing her necklace of human skulls. She is mistress of the typhoon, the earthquake, and the tidal wave. She gestures with her hand.
 
A tidal wave ravages a distant shore, washing people, goats, chickens, and homes out to sea. Some wave their hands in hopes of an unlikely rescue. The sea reclaims all flesh. Kali smiles as new life sprouts to fill the void left by her destruction. In my heart, I hold the mystery of birth following death. The vision passes and I am on the shore of a familiar pond.
 
A heron snatches a hapless frog. Herons and egrets take flight with a hoarse chorus of croaking. They gently glide and land on the further shore. They take up stationary posts, resuming a hunt that involves patience and a speedy attack from ambush. A kingfisher hovers above the water seeking a fishy dinner. I imagine the strains of Appalachian Spring filling the air. 
 
If Blake were present, he might smile and gaze at a tree, its branches filled with angels. But he is not here. A dragonfly lands on a nearby twig. Its wings shimmer in the morning sun.

Picture
​Opportunities for Writers: Regional Events go Virtual
 
With the decline of live learning and performance opportunities, readers and writers look to online events to fill the void.
 
The Southern Festival of Books has released their schedule of presentations for their online event, October 1 – 11. The list of authors is also available.
 
The Atlanta Journal Constitution Decatur Book Festival continues through October 4. A lineup of dynamic speakers will please every reader’s tastes.
 
The Chattanooga Writers’ Guild continues to offer monthly online programs on craft as well as writing prompts and links to events. Check the events section of their Facebook group for full information. Entries in their monthly writing contest are free and have cash prizes but are limited to members. Check the web page for information on their nominal membership fee. 
 
The Plug Poetry Project, presented by Christian Collier will launch Episode 6 of Christian’s docuseries on Sunday, September 20, 2-3 pm. Each episode features two poets in conversation and presenting their work. A discussion by all poets who participated in the six episodes will follow. You can access past episodes on their YouTube Channel.
 
Palette Poetry has announced deadlines for September and October opportunities. 

Picture
Travels Close to Home: Chattanooga Audubon Society announces October Events

/11/20   Meet our Wild Ambassadors! - Program starts at 1:30 at Audubon Acres, 900 N Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga. Presented in partnership with For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue. Program will feature Juniper Russo, CWR who will explain about rehabilitating wild animals, the animals stories, and why you don't want wild animals for pets. Three rehabbed animals will highlight the show: T'Challa the Bobcat and Sonnet & Odyssey, rehabbed turtles. Visit https://www.chattanoogaaudubon.org/wildrehab for additional information. A limited number of tickets will be sold. Cost is $7.50 per person.

10/24/20   Native American Culture-Audubon Acres, 900 N Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga. This new event will feature Cherokee Native Americans. Further details are forthcoming. Start time 1pm.  Cost $7.50 per person. A limited number of tickets will be sold.

​11/18-11/20/20   Pioneer Days  9am-1pm Audubon Acres, 900 N Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga   By reservation only    See and participate in pioneer activities such as butter churning, cider press, rope bed, old time tools,  historic cabin tour, corn husking and corn husk dolls, etc. Geared for elementary aged students. Cost is $7.50 per person. Visit https://www.chattanoogaaudubon.org/pioneerdays for additional information.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    ​Archives                

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Environment
    Literacy
    Nature

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly