Words & Language: May 2005 Archives

I heard a couple of great songs this morning on my commute. The one I was able to track down was called "Transit" by Richard Shindell. It seems to appear on two albums: "Somewhere Near Paterson" & "Courier".

I've always been a sucker for songs about cars and driving. I really like this one. It starts off being about traffic and angry drivers and ends with a nun directing a choir at a prison.

She entered the common room and their was her choir
Altos and baritones, basses and tenors
Car thieves and crack dealers, mobsters and murderers
Husbands and sons, fathers and brothers
And so it began in glorious harmony
Softly and Tenderly – calling for you and me
With the interstate whining way off in the distance
And the sun going down through the bars of the prison
They poured out their souls, they poured out their memories
They poured out their hopes for what’s left of eternity
To sister Maria – her soul like a prism
For the light of forgiveness on all of their faces

My great aunt, Aunt Sister, was a nun. She taught school mostly in Wisconsin and was a kind loving soul. Her students from grade school would seek her out and visit her years after she retired. She was among the kindest people I have ever known. Although her vocation was teaching not leading choirs, I like to think the sentiments of the song would have appealed to her sense of both the common and the divine. I know it appeals to mine.

I've enjoyed reading Real Live Preacher for some time. While he was on hiatus, he pointed towards some articles he had written for other publications. I was entranced by this one, entitled "The gospel according to Anna". He even posted scans Anna's gospel on the web.

His article made me think about the phrase, "The Gospel According to Tim." I'm quite sure Young Joel will correct me if I'm wrong, but gospel literally means, good news. So what is the "good news according to Tim?"

I've been thinking about it and I'm still not sure what if there is anything I feel confident labeling as "Tim's good news." "Cautionary tale", yes, certainly I could do that. "Sarcastic look at the day's events", sure, it's my specialty.

I am certain, that if I did have any good news it might look something like this description of the aftermath of constipation by Heather B. Armstrong.

[This Mary Oliver quote is courtesy of Tom Peters]

I just picked up "Delights & Shadows" by Ted Kooser after reading a review in the Christian Science Monitor.

The poems are simple but eloquent in an understated way. Mr. Kooser has a way of shining a spotlight on common images that give them a new shape and unexpected texture. How many times have you seen a pegboard with the requisite tools outlined in spray paint and never once thought about the hand prints found in prehistoric cave paintings? Here's another example of great imagery and wordplay.

It's great stuff. Come to find out Mr. Kooser spent his life as an executive in the insurance industry.

P.S.

If you are the co-worker who prefers to be known as my favorite, the point of this is the imagery and word play, not whether I think tattoo's are vain. After all, someone vain enough to blog, is unlikely to really be in a position to point fingers about vanity anyway. I'm quite certain I would have a tattoo if only I could commit to something.

[Courtesy of the Writers Almanac.]