A Poem for February

Two triggers for this poem: On Monday I took a hike on the Maple Highlands Trail in Chardon (on what once was a railroad track). I was the only person out hiking during the snowstorm, and it was so beautiful. Also, my friend Kathy Flora told me how happy she was shoveling snow one evening recently. I think I understood her happiness.

February in Northeast Ohio

I. Hiking the Maple Highlands Trail in Chardon,

Not another person in sight.

Snow four inches deep, none but occasional squirrel tracks,

Sugar maple, tall pine covered with white, every branch and bud,

The woods quiet—

And beautiful.

Can’t believe this good fortune,

This blessing,

To be witness to the silent beauty,

This contemplative miracle.

II. Shoveling the driveway in the dark.

Cleveland Heights, this busy town,

Relaxes, quiets down, exhales.

Swirling snow dancing in the streetlight

Nothing short of magical,

This peacefulness, this beauty.

As you push and lift the snow,

You notice your muscles,

Thank God for them,

For skin, nerves, bone, and sinew.

How to explain your joy?

And who would ever listen?

                        Bob Coughlin / February 9, 2016

Judy Collins in Concert at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights

Last night, Judy Collins came out onto the stage at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, one of our nation’s most beautiful and intimate venues for singers, and belted out a fabulous version of Joni Mitchell’s song “Chelsea Morning.” That put to rest once and for all any worry about the 75-year-old singer’s vocal power. Her voice is strong, pure, and in tune, with all the subtleties any singer could ever want.

Judy Collins on stage at Cain Park (phone camera)

Here are some of the songs she sang during her hour and a half set:

• “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”--a tribute to Pete Seeger.
• “Born to the Breed” (for her late son Clark).
• "Coal Tattoo," by Billy Edd Wheeler.
• “Grandaddy,” one of my all-time favorite songs, and especially poignant to me now that I am a grandfather.
• “My Father,” again, one of my favorites.
• “John Riley,” an old song, from her earliest work.
• “Where or When,” a Rogers and Hart song, beloved by her father.
• Three Stephen Sondheim songs, including “Pretty Women” and “Send in the Clowns.”
• “Norwegian Wood,” by Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
• "Mountain Girl"--made us think about our daughter Carolan.
• “New Moon Over the Hudson.”

Judy Collins ended the night with a sweet rendition of “Danny Boy.” In singing that song was she thinking of all the people she has been close to who have died? Most recently, Pete Seeger? And her son Clark? Was she thinking about herself? I hope this is not the last time I get to see her in concert. She is a national treasure (an international treasure, as they know in Ireland!).

Two themes that seemed to run through many of the songs: Fatherhood and parenthood; she seemed profoundly influenced by her own father and grandfather. And mortality--nothing lasts forever, where have all the flowers gone?

There are few singers and musicians who have brought meaning, passion, and beauty together like Judy Collins has--and she has done that over a 55-year career. Wow, what a treasure!

* * *

We started last evening by dining at Tommy's on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. This is one of my favorite restaurants, with very healthy food, lots of vegetarian options, and it's located in one of Cleveland's most interesting and vital neighborhoods. It is a relic of the Hippie Era, and I love it. After eating at Tommy's we went next door to Cleveland's best little bookstore, Mac's Backs--Books on Coventry, and chatted a bit with Suzanne DeGaetano, the long-time store manager, the person who knows books and Cleveland literary events as well as anyone in town.

Here is a Youtube version of Judy Collins singing "Danny Boy" in Ireland:

Get Ready for Bloomsday, June 16th!

On June 16th we celebrate "Bloomsday," named after Leopold Bloom, one of the two main characters in James Joyce's novel Ulysses. The novel celebrates a day in the life of Leopold Bloom and his wife Molly, and is set in Dublin, Ireland. A nice discussion of this novel is available on Wikipedia at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_(novel). There is also a discussion of Bloomsday on Wikipedia at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomsday.

I have received an email telling of a Bloomsday event at the Cleveland Heights tavern/nightclub called "Nighttown." Nighttown is run by Irishman Brendan Ring, and is named after the red-light district of Dublin mentioned in Ulysses. Between 4 and 6 PM on Tuesday, June 16th, people will read Episode 10 of Ulysses at the pub (I'd prefer reading the incredible ending of Episode 18!).

Nighttown is one of Cleveland's treasures--and probably one of the great jazz venues in the country (not just jazz, but Irish music and other kinds of music). The pub has its own website: www.nighttowncleveland.com. The pub's address is 12383 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106. Phone 216-795-0550.

Paul Newman--Passing of a Great Person

This weekend we learned of the passing, at age 83, of a great human being, Paul Newman. Paul Newman is considered one of our own in the Cleveland area. He was born in Cleveland Heights and raised in Shaker Heights. After high school, he briefly attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. After a stint in the Navy during World War II (where he saw combat), he attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He came back to the college and to the Cleveland area many times over the years. I vividly remember him campaigning for John Kerry in the Shaker area four years ago. He even canvassed in his old neighborhood, knocking on the family's former home, and showing the current residents where he and his father used to sneak cigarettes.

Paul Newman was able to do what many people find impossible: he balanced a devotion to wife and children with artistic pursuits, hobbies, and businesses. He was married to Joanne Woodward for 50 years, and he died in the presence of his wife and children. His family life was not without sorrow--he did lose his oldest son, Scott, to drugs and alcohol and never got over the terrible loss.

He certainly was one of our greatest actors, in films, on television, and in live theatre. His work include some of the greatest, most iconic films in history, including The Hustler, Hud, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Color of Money, and more. He directed his wife and actors John Malkovich, James Naughton and Karen Allen in a tremendous production of Tennessee Williams' Glass Menagerie (this great work is not widely available, as far as I know). His characters had spunk, spirit, attitude, and left a sharp imprint in memory.

His hobby of race car driving began in mid-life and was pursued, with passion and great success, until the end. Another hobby, cooking, evolved into a tremendously successful non-profit business--Newman's Own salad dressings, popcorn, and sauces.

What is greatest about this artist and family man is his generosity. He gave back to his community, his country, his world in so many ways, not the least of which is an estimated $200,000,000 in profits from "Newman's Own" and his establishment of camps for children with illnesses (The Hole in theWall Gang Camps).

Paul Newman lived a blessed and full life (though not without suffering and personal tragedy). Let us thank God for the likes of him, and somehow let's begin to take on the work of this great human being.