David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Nine of Wands

I somehow drew this card again, so I redrew. I guess the teaching is “we have what it takes to get by.”
CASE 16: Mayoku Shook the Ring-Staff

Mayoku, with his ring-staff in hand, came to Shôkei. He circled Shôkei’s dais three times, shook the ring-staff and stood there bolt upright. Shôkei said, “Right, right!” Mayoku then came to Nansen. He circled Nansen’s dais three times, shook the ring-staff and stood there bolt upright. Nansen said, “Not right, not right!” Then, Mayoku said,…
Irvine Graffiti

I found this on the sidewalk when walking to my mother in laws house–I had planned to be hitching a ride to see Johnny at Hoag, but Ed drove straight there and no one else showed up. It did give me time to start work on my new favorite poem–called Brother.
A Treatise of Civil Power By Geoffrey Hill

I read this mostly because the back cover said “England’s best hope for the Noble Prize”–which France won this year. Having read this I really understand why. There is some great stuff in this book, but mostly it is a collection of reading notes, obituaries, and other wet ink writing that might work in monthlies,…
Strange Note at Museum

I found this note on a table at the OCMA. It reads: You’ve been uncommunicative not letting me in
Stay Present

Stay present Do your own thing Make time Do not be afraid No temporary solutions to permanent problems
CASE 15: Kyôzan Thrusts His Hoe into the Ground

Isan asked Kyôzan, “Where have you come from?” Kyôzan said, “From the rice field.” Isan said, “How many people are there in the rice field?” Kyôzan thrust his hoe into the ground and stood with his hands folded on his chest. Isan said, “There are a great number of people cutting thatch on the South…
Rontgen–Symphony #3

Cody and I listened to this early in the morning. I really enjoyed this work a lot–fun and full of energy. A great way to start the day.
The Gilded Gutter Life of Francis Bacon by Daniel Farson

I generally do not review books until I have finished. But this one really has me thinking. First of all, like Kurt and Courtney, it suffers from the major problem of the biographer placing himself in the story. Over and over again–in almost comical Warhol fashion. In some ways the British are so far off…
Pay Attention Now

Pay attention now Do the deal Make everything routine Find humor in the ordinary Do not be afraid