Creative Collaboration Part 2

Some of the creative collaborators I admire most are songwriters and musicians. When I think of the dedication and talent it takes to learn to play one instrument, I am amazed at people who can play several and then play them altogether in a band. Add to this the ability to write music and lyrics, the idea is practically overwhelming. And yet, music and song abound in our world, and have for ages. One of the reasons this is so, I'm convinced, is that it's fun to write songs and make music. Otherwise, why would there be so much of it? The earth and her creatures crave music. That's what I think, and we follow our natural inclination to create when we participate along with the birds, the trees, and the whales.

Two of my favorite musicians live right here in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Although they have traveled all over the world, and are quite famous among folk musicians, they love their hometown and never slack in their commitment to make it a better place to live. They have a CD and a DVD dedicated to the people, their ways and music, of the Ozark Mountains. I'm talking about the duo known as Still on the Hill. Here, we know them as Kelly and Donna; Kelly Mulholland and Donna Stjerna. (Photos by Jane Voorhees, with cool iphone filters, March 2011.)

I feel privileged to know Kelly and Donna and to call them friends. I participate in the peace open mic they host once a month whenever I can. I'll go to see them play anywhere. They honored Leigh and me by playing at our 10th anniversary party and by writing a song for the two of us which they played on the 'courting dulcimer' at their Valentine's Day concert. (Super fine time was had by all!)

Now, perhaps the greatest tribute of all has been paid to me and my poetry by the two of them. Donna, who is one of the most prolific songwriters I've ever known, loved my book "A Little Lazarus" and shared it with many amazing people. Then she took one of the poems and part of another and combined them into one incredible song. Believe me, it's a whole different creation than the "chicken rap." They invited Jane and me over to see their Ozark Ball Museum, perhaps the finest collection of round objects in the world, and then played my song for me. It was so beautiful I cried. They gave me their permission to put it on my blog post to show you yet another way creative collaboration works. The poem itself is below, then listen to what happens when Donna arranges it and they put their incredible musical talents together to make it sing.

Here is the poem:

Ode to a Day

by Mendy Knott

Day, you awakened me with whispers
early, like a lover who has lain awake for hours
waiting, excited and impatient
for what you thought was long enough
then with a breeze that kissed my eyes awake
began sweet murmurings:
“Hey girl, get up.
Looky here what I have for you.
It’s not Dec. 25th, but it might as well be Christmas.
It’s not your birthday, but I have presents.
Roll on over into me and let me be your greatest gift.”

Then Day, you dripped butterscotch
all down my windowsill; it pooled
yellow on the floor so I was sure to step in it.
A broken blue horizon like a jack ‘o’ lantern’s teeth
grinned in at me while I let you take me unobjecting
let you get inside me deep
let you make me come with you
wherever you would lead.
“Day,” I said, “Take it away..”
And you did.

You, Day, all day, are my lover, mother, my best friend.
You know no limitations.
You shapeshift into my every want and need,
toast me with jam,
celebrate my awkwardness,
remind me of grace,
run your warmth all up and down the length of me
purring like a cat.
You kiss me repeatedly–
sun on back
rain on face
snow on eyelashes, a butterfly kiss.
You throw an arm around my shoulder, Day,
protect me like a shade tree.
I lean against the trunk of you when I’m afraid.
You say, “Listen I’m gonna be with you
all day today. Trust me,
you can have it all your way.”

We act like puppies, yearlings, 5-year-olds.
We roll on the ground with my dog,
weep with a friend on the phone,
sing to everything: a tree, my car, a plate I’m washing.
It’s ridiculous I know, so
I blame it all on you.
You made me love you
even though it was not hard;
made me love your cutting chill
evening shadows
goose and whip-poor-will.
I loved you, glorious tricky Day,
even though you threw those curve balls
straight at me,
hollering, “Catch this!” way too late,
then laughed ‘til the tears ran down your face.

When we lay down at last,
I felt your gentle weight press into me.
You were still chuckling at my antics
forcing me to say, “Hush you crazy Day.
Be quiet now. I need sleep.”
You embrace me,
wrap me up in cozy memories,
then rock me as you make up fantasies
about your twin–
Tomorrow.

And the mp3 of the song, adapted by Donna Stjerna, and played by Still on the Hill (Donna and Kelly) is here. Click to listen or download!

—Mendy Knott is a writer, poet and author of the poetry collection A Little Lazarus (Half Acre Press, 2010). To order your copy of A Little Lazarus directly from the author, please click here. Or, if cookbooks are more your style, get a copy of Mendy's family cookbook Across the Arklatex at www.twopoets.us.