I sat down at the piano

hit the one button to turn the system on

hit the next to start recording

in mind, i wondered,

"where is the song book"

i remembered immediately

the fear of fire

that called me to put it in my travel kit

but i lingered there,

again

in that fear

as i placed my hands upon the keys

and let this emerge

because

september 4, 2025

note: A half a decade ago I began a new songwriting process, a kind of improv first pass where I just hit record and see what comes. I don't edit or rewrite. Instead, I enter the moment as a ceremony, a dance of being-with my own creative muse.

I still practice on some days, working scales and past songs and all of those things which are a necessary aspect of this most subtle language I have been learning now for forty years.

But also, especially after extended time away from the instrument and my voice, I let go of thinking, of planning, of rehearsing, and just press record...

in reverence to all that touches me

and the creative muse

who, if we listen soft enough,

may touch us all

tbird