See this movie! Or at least view the trailer.

I've seen this movie twice and am filled with gratitude for it.  It is a musical love story set in Havana and New York in the 1950's and in our times.  Great music by Bebo Valdes, gorgeous animation, and a tear-jerker of an ending.  If you love latin music, a great yarn, and fantastic hand-drawn animation don't miss Chico y Rita -- it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film.

Chico and Rita trailer

Photo from Miner School in DC today.

Bright 4th graders learning about the "Four Rivers of Storytelling" -- we had a ball together.

demo from Wounded Splendor

Today's Poem -- Belly Laugh

Belly Laugh

Finally today at high noon,

it became clear,

all the prostrations,

all the incantations to deities and infallible flesh and blood masters,

the long silent retreats,

the bell clanging,

all of it converged into a wide-eyed belly laugh

that dissolved the clouds,

stilled the seas,

and completed his joining with the truth.

Kennedy Center Residency begins

Just checked into my hotel in Arlington to rest up for a week-long residency with the Kennedy Center.  I'll be working under their auspices at two schools, performing and teaching kids about the "four rivers" of storytelling.  Looking forward to a good week.

Plus, it's Spring here and the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom...c'mon.

d.

Poem: The SeeSaw of Aloneness

The SeeSaw of Aloneness

On one side sits terror,

on the other relief,

on the first sadness,

on the second cool joy,

this seesaw keeps moving,

up and down terror/relief/sadness/joy,

it's a treacherous crawl to the fulcrum,

from here the game is clear,

up/down, down/up,

all day, all night,

at the center spot, sitting lotus,

amused at the flying boards,

un-fazed by the creaks and squeaks,

calm in the eye of the storm.

My New Blog

Good to be here with you.  Crazy, but I didn't realize how easy it would be to do this.  I'll be back!

Sleeping Beauty Demo now available!