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Arriving in Beijing from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #25
Day One: Arriving in Beijing When the sun stands at mid-day it begins to set; when the moon is full it begins to wane…. How much truer this is for men…. —Commentary on the 55th Hexagram of the Book of Changes The more cold gets into the river the slower it flows. In the moonlight… Continue Reading »
The Lotus Temple and Leaving India from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #24
The Lotus Temple in New Delhi (for Kristina, who insisted that I visit) While we wait in the temple courtyard, we are welcomed, first in Farsi, then in English. We will enter the Temple while the previous group is exiting through the front of the temple. It is important to move quickly because the faster… Continue Reading »
What exactly does a producer do?, for Many Voices
When I’m traveling, I always dread the question, “What do you for a living?” Because I’m a producer, and the second question is always, “What exactly does a producer do?” The best answer I’ve ever heard to that question was from Quincy Jones. He’s produced Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson and Miles Davis. He said… Continue Reading »
Leaving Kathmandu from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #23
April 27 2011, Kathmandu I am drinking tea and sitting in a music store I’ve just discovered on my last day in Kathmandu. The owner and his brother play me selections from CDs of modern Nepalese music. A track begins and within 10 to 30 seconds I say “Yes” or “Not so much” or “Can… Continue Reading »
Varanasi, Night, and the Morning After from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #22
April 20, Varanasi, Walking to the Ganges Returning from the Ganges after the evening rituals, I work my way through the crowd and am accosted by a young boy selling postcards for 100 rupees. I assure him I have no money, which is true. Most thefts occur in the crowds on the way to the… Continue Reading »
Jaipur & Varanasi, India from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #21
Jaipur The Maharajah of Jaipur died the day before we arrived and everything in the whole state has shut down for two days of mourning. After lunch, we walk downtown and come upon a funeral filling the center of town. There are floats pulled by pick-up trucks, brightly painted elephants, musicians and costumes, honking cars… Continue Reading »
In the Gem Store, Jaipur, India from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #20
In the Gem Store, Jaipur, April 7, 2011 After driving for eight hours through the desperately poor areas from Delhi to Jaipur, Bill is obviously shaken. “That was really something,” he says, as we get off the bus. And I, stretching my legs, agree. “Yeah, that was a long time on a bus.” 23 02… Continue Reading »
I Find My Beatrice Outside the Red Fort, Old Delhi, India from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #19
April 16, 2011: Old Delhi, India, The Red Fort Today in front of the Red Fort, a young girl tried to sell me some postcards I didn’t want. I told her that I didn’t have any rupees on me (which was true) and she said I could have them for one American dollar. I smiled… Continue Reading »
Final Entry from Africa, December 6, 2010 from “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #18
December 6, 2010, Illala Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Woke up this morning to the sound of animals screaming. I assumed it was the baboons, so I didn’t bother to investigate. But on my walk in to the dining hall, I saw in the near distance a wild dog, trotting in the same direction as I… Continue Reading »
The Story of Dr. David Livingstonefrom “A Poet’s Progress,” Newtopia Magazine #17
Dr. David Livingstone December 8, 2010, Illala Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe When Kerra, a native Zimbabwean, heard that some Americans were staying overnight in Victoria Falls, he asked if he could talk to us about his hero, the Great Liberator of Africa. I copied down as much of the story as I could, but Kerra… Continue Reading »