Friday, November 16, 2007
Dr. Sward's Cure for Melancholia - posting #1
Fri., Nov. 16, 2007 - Dr. Sward is a Russian-born podiatrist who died in 1982. My father, he is the primary speaker in God is in the Cracks, A Narrative in Voices (Black Moss Press, 2006). In a review of The Collected Poems (2004), from which many of the father poems are reprinted, The Globe & Mail noted, "The heart and core of this book is a series of dramatic monologues and dialogues between father and son."
He came unhinged after my mother, a former Miss Chicago, died at age 42. In the late 40s Dad became a Rosicrucian and practised his rites secretly in the basement of our Skokie, Illinois, home. He evolved his own blend of kabbalistic, Christian hermetic, and prescient New Age mysticism which lent its colors to his medical practice as well as to his view of my eventual career choice and several marriages.
The new book, Dr. Sward's Cure for Melancholia / Soul Retrieval, is a work in progress. Epigraphs follow, then excerpts and journal... "journal," the word derives from "jour," day... as in the name of a newspaper. It's also the root of the word "journey..." and this blog, well, what is it but a journey, day by day, a movement from darkness into light.
“So, you want to die?" says my father. "Goddammit, you’re already missing. I may be dead, but I’m not missing. What will dying—tell me, what will dying do for you? What is it breaks when a man breaks down? What is it “goes to pieces”?
You want a theme? That's the theme.
Epigraphs
"In whatever one does, there must be a relationship between the eye and the heart. With the one eye that is closed, one looks within, with the other eye that is open, one looks without."
--Henri Cartier-Bresson
“But what is it then that sits in my heart,
that breathes so quietly, and without lungs—
that is here. Here in this world, and yet not here?”
--Mary Oliver, “The Leaf and the Cloud”
“Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have
isn’t permanent.”
–Jean Kerr
--
Bookshop Santa Cruz Launch
http://www.damer.com/pictures/digicamera/pix2006/06-LocalEvents/06-09-26-RobertSward/index.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 comments:
Nice Post Keep It Up....monokinis
Simple Prom Dresses
The area now known as Vietnam has been inhabited since Paleolithic times, with some archaeological sites in Thanh Hóa Province purportedly dating back several thousand years. Archaeologists link the beginnings of Vietnamese civilization to the late Neolithic-early Bronze Age Phung Nguyen culture, which was centered in what is now Vĩnh Phúc Province between 2000 and 1400 BC.
Cambodia Travel
safe for home
Non emergency calls are free! Seniors can use the system when someone knocks at their door, they drop some dishes or they go outside to check the mail. Emergency help with the push of a button.
visa processing times
emergency alert for seniors
Hapkido’s development through the years is, unfortunately, uncronicled due to the shroud of secrecy placed on it in order for Korean Martial Arts to survive the years of foreign army occupation.
clases particulares de alemén en Santiago de Chile
Hapkido
You may be ready for a more serious commitment and want to know, will this work? Of course, there are no guarantees in life, but research has given us much about what makes a successful relationship.
dog breeds uk
emotional pain help calgary
Rubans Imprimésdiscount banner stands
Hugs are the first and only Bean bag allowing you to perfectly sit up, recline, and lie down. Hugs Bean bags mold to your body perfectly providing full support in every position. Our unique, patent-pending design is made in the USA of eco-friendly materials.
Room Addition Contractormanufacturing company
real scarcity in Manhattan—genuine real quiet. As I zoned out to Bicaj’s selection of Bossa Nova tunes, she began my “Manual Lift,” which involved cleansing
pareoMississauga Condos
Surviving unemployment is an unfortunate storm that many people are currently weathering in this down economy. Worse still, obtaining a job of any kind is far more competitive than in the past.
japanese singlesexhibitions stall designs
Chronically plagued by dark undereye circles, Malhotra continues her search for the perfect concealer.
hair loss extensions womenset up a swiss company
which involved cleansing, intense stimulation (including a depuffing orbital massage), lactic acid exfoliation, and a super silky oxygen mask, with products by French skincare company Biologique Recherche (above right). While I waited for the ingredients to work their magic, Bicaj worked hers, giving me a peppermint-infused foot massage that made my tension disappear as quickly as my blackheads. Just in case, I packed a makeup bag with foundation and concealer to camoflauge the typical post-facial damage. As it turns out, I didn’t need to. I left the spa with honest-to-goodness clear skin, and a new addiction.
must have butterfly dressHome Warranty Companies
Leo, mai darlinjjj, la chaqueta PI-LCI (en adelante, "chaqueta Pilci")es un perfecto de Zara en tejido entramado en colores claros y plata, con cremalleras, no se abrocha.
Tiene un estilazo bárbaro y es muy bersátil (sobre todo si la remangas).
Más prendas apiales: Los pitillos blancos de Miss Primark, de EA también, el modelo "Alberto de Mónaco as a Groom".
common cold treatmentprinter cartridge ink
Ideas analyzed in the essay and elsewhere in the novel include the split between inward and outward existence; the presence of angels and spiritual enlightenment; and the interplay between genius and madness.
Although critics panned the novel, Balzac remained steadfast in his belief that it provided an important look at philosophy, especially metaphysics.
Dallas Apartmentselements of fiction
Ideas analyzed in the essay and elsewhere in the novel include the split between inward and outward existence; the presence of angels and spiritual enlightenment; and the interplay between genius and madness.
Holmes picked up the key, and looked at it for an instant, then he handed it back.
"No, I hardly think that it would help me," said he. "I should prefer to go quietly down to your garden, and turn the whole matter over in my head. There is something to be said for the theory of suicide which you have put forward. We must apologize for having intruded upon you, Professor Coram, and I promise that we won't disturb you until after lunch. At two o'clock we will come again, and report to you anything which may have happened in the interval."
location de salleCatering Atlanta
These days, hunting remains a popular pastime in Colorado (more than 375,000 hunters visit each year), but a weapon is no longer needed to dine on the state’s best game meat. From elk to bison to rattlesnake, these Colorado restaurants offer a true taste of the wild.
depression help for youWatercolor real estate for sale
The Superstore for Banner Stands!
You've arrived at the best spot on the internet for banner stands. Here you'll find the largest selection of retractable banner stands (also called roll up or pull up stands), portable models, which are the non-retractable styles, as well as models for trade shows, retail or outdoor use, accessories, replacement parts, shipping cases and more. Our huge selection means you're sure to find exactly the right display or accessory for your needs, and our large volume means we can offer the best prices in the industry.retractable banner standsWomens Fashion Accessories
You may be ready for a more serious commitment and want to know, will this work? Of course, there are no guarantees in life, but research has given us much about what makes a successful relationship.
cheap wedding ringsAir Mass Meter
Nice blog and great content.need an Exhibition stall fabricator and designer or event management services - best blog on blogger and top class and Quality content.
Post a Comment