 Polli-Nation
What good is love if it doesn't cost a thing?
If its tongue is filled with honey but its heart is full of sting?
Does it drip with pure conviction if its lips are laced with lies?
Does it taste like fruitless fiction, never truly satisfied?
Is it silky sweet or savory but bitter in the belly?
Smooth as it flows down each day, yet mercilessly heavy?
[...]
I hear this city releasing a new sound
Building things up instead of tearing them down
A slow growing hum reverberating 'round
A…"brotherly" love shaking the ground
It sounds so otherworldly cause it sounds so full of hope
This sound awakening the sleepers and awakening the “woke”
Politically imperfect in its human-natured way
Yet unwilling to succumb itself to the violence of the day
It’s golden in its glory as it courses through the streets
And honor is the way it welcomes everyone it meets
It’s incorrectly honest and yet gracious in its speech
Appropriating truth forever crowning her as queen.
This bumble is humble
A sound so pure and sweet
A melody offensive to the locust of deceit
It is an anger pacifier
A people qualifier
A rhythm pulsing joy resulting mercy magnifier
It has a frequency much higher than the highest seated king
It is a movement set on fire by the movement of its wings
This resonant vibration
Is shaking the foundation
Earthquaking, overtaking, intellectual explanation
[...]
And some will offer counterfeits that cater to consumers
Who take the bait then eat the hate and die as opportuners
But those who listen for a sound of swelling activation
Will join this choir and inspire a blooming transformation
Brotherly…
Love generational
Love congregational
Non-denominational
Polli-Nation
 Happy February, my friend!
Actually, Happy New Year! It's been some time since you heard from me as I'm re-emerging from a good, long month of laying low and planning for the year. I've been working on the administrative end of a few projects that i plan to let you know more about when the time is right :)
I thought I'd start this newsletter with the first thing I made this year: a poem.
It was an honor to write and perform this poem for Mennonite Central Committe's MLK Day tribute a few week ago. Honey happens to be the theme for my year. Don't ask me why, but its the visual I keep seeing, and I'm loving how it has me taking note of words, phrases, colors, and patterns I would normally gloss over. It was a fun excercise to write a piece for the City of Brotherly Love through this lens!
 "Grow Deep, Not Wide"
Comment Magazine Essay
Speaking of writing things, I've got an essay published in Comment Magazine! It was an unexpected opportunity to flesh out some serious reflections on the last few years in our country through the context of life in my neighborhood. It is an offshoot of my Paint on the Porch piece with additional stories, a call to action, and included artwork created by the kids in my neighborhood. I hope you enjoy the read and pass it on :)
 Concerts & Conversations
Upcoming Shows, Talks, and Workshops
Lots of speaking opportunities this coming month with a bunch of music mixed in. I would love to see you!
Feb 12: GARNET VALLEY, PA - Darlington Arts Center [Details] *
Come for the gallery opening, stay for the music. Playing a full set on DAC's grand piano. Seating is limited and attendees must call to reserve a ticket.
Teaching a workshop on how to water the "seed" of an idea, along w/ an evening concert. Event featuring Justin McRoberts, David Kim, Timothy Leaven, Josh Teissen, myself.
Feb 22: WAYNESBURG, PA - Waynesburg University
Concert & Q&A with the female student pupulation
Lectures ///
"The Call to Creativity: Why Creating Art Matters in a Post-Pandemic World"
Feb 23: GROVE CITY, PA - Grove City College
Feb 24: BEAVER FALLS, PA - Geneva College * [Details]
Feb 25: BEAVER FALLS, PA - Geneva College * [Details]
*open to the public
 Winter Hoodies are Here!
...they always have been :)
Navy, Maroon, and Gold! S through 2XL!
"Just Love" hoodies are stocked in all sizes and colors for the winter season so "buzz" on over to the store to stay warm while rocking a positive message.
Ok, that's a wrap, friends! I hope your year is off to a good start and that i see you at an upcoming event!
Joy
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