Joe Kidd is a musician, singer/songwriter, activist, philosopher and poet. He has a new book out called The Invisible Waterhole. The title invokes the mystical and philosophical nature of the book.
Joe is a seeker...and a finder. The essence of each poem is his insight no matter the subject. He's at the age when introspection reveals a deeper, fuller perspective and wisdom from the journey so far while acknowledging the constant battle with the human condition. From Great Hunger: "what I heard is not what was said/there was a pause, a promise/a silent message." He ends the poem with the realization he is dealing with his own issues not necessarily at all what the speaker meant: "someone released us/(a stained document,/a soiled piece of cloth) / into the cold and burnt sky within."
He knows we all experience roughly the same things but in different order, different times, different cultures. It really is all about how we interpret and internalize what our experiences have to offer. With his rich understanding it is not surprising that Joe has seminary training and a broad knowledge of spiritual traditions around the world.
Battle Well
EJECT the world beyond your skull
light now stopping in its tracks
the high walls shattered, sheets of glass
motionless, a scented form
called for nourishment and bliss
a circling tongue upon a door
a secret held between closed lips
REJECT the generated noise
the burning hum of violence
the vision of a turning blade
that sound of rumbling underground
friends remembered in a womb
the birth of choice, clean and warm
walking home on splintered bone
INJECT the fluid deep and dark
where memory died a tragedy
the word not spoken, long asleep
tried to touch, but could not reach
that mask of love upon a face
beyond a mirrored apparition
this fallen angel's shrunken head
A good place to end is with the blooming peace (and responsibility) of the last stanza of Solstice Part One: Tonight I dive deep into eternal solace/at the center and the edge/of a universe that does not exist/ beyond a heart’s command.
Since it's hard to mention Joe without mentioning Shelia, here's just a tiny portion of their accomplishments. "Joe & Sheila are 2 time recipients of the Detroit Music Award for Songwriter of the Year, Michigan Governor's Award, World Songwriters Award, 2019 Congressional Certificate from US House of Representatives, 2019 Clouzine Magazine Music Award for Best Acoustic Song, 2020 International Singer Songwriter Association Award for Vocal Duo of the Year. Joe Kidd was inducted into the Michigan Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on June 1 2017. Joe & Sheila have each published books of poetry, prose, and illustration."
http://www.joekiddandsheilaburke.com/bio
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