Song-A-Week #5 - Ribbonyfidget and the open song writing process

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

.::Carl Thomas Gladstone::.                        original acoustic music on the prophetic edge

March 27, 2007 In order to get the One-A-Week thing going again I've decided to do a little "open song writing" for a few submissions.  So, below is a beginning text for a new song.  I'll post it (blog and email) and feel free to respond.  What do you like or what could you do without.  Have a better title, let me know.  Think a particular style of music would be good?  Let's hear it! This text looks at our willingness to put complex conversations into the shortest of forms, assuming that their creativity will carry them as valid additions to the betterment of our theology, cultural discourse, ethical debate, etc.  Now I'm all for a good bumper sticker, but we also need to think beyond such sloganing.  At a recent conference I found myself fidgeting with a rainbow ribbon I had received out on the sidewalk.  During a particularly dry plenary I found myself pulling the fibers of the ribbon apart and braiding it back together into a beautiful yet somewhat unrecognizable new form.  I wonder if that's how we should approach all our intractable hot topic discussions - start looking for ways to deconstruct, reconceive, and rebuild stronger systems of communication within ourselves and with those whom we disagree. Ribbonyfidget by Carl Thomas Gladstone Even multicolored buttons act as shields Ribbons looped 'round hearts but pierced with pins when hanging on lapels And slogans? Slogans have great faith in brevity when all the world sees webs Then there are the shirts, little lithographic billboards of dissent or accusation Their wearers giving curves to straight edged sayings I would rather braid ribbons into cords to bind us Stick pins into a map - of places needing love Stretch slogans into conversations Exchange the shirts for gowns and take a dip into the river whose current pulls our various din out to the sea and leaves us naked before God out in the sun, eyes closed Singing with all the siblings standing 'round. Purchase oft broke echo at carlthomasgladstone.com Thanks so much for signing up for this email and remember that if at anytime you'd like to take your name off the list, simply visit our google.groups page to unsubscribe. copyrigth © 2006 carl thomas gladstone | some rights reserved

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