The Last Exile

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t. When I was young I would create worlds and adventures and make imagination come alive to me as another’s touch. Later I learned to call this being in the zone. The zone is the most wondrous place in creation for me. As my consciousness expands my body instinctively seeks to move to the rhythm of creation. This is why when I write or paint I need to be alone as others inhibit my movement and the rhythm of my thoughts. Neither drawing or writing is an activity I do standing or sitting completely still.

Music often puts me in the zone. I don’t know what it is about the sound of a violin or a guitar but I am utterly seduced. Why the sound of their chords effect me so I don’t know. These instruments speak to me in a way which automatically leads me into the zone. A piano is a purely mechanical sound to me but a violin or a guitar and it makes me want to move. Certain voices will do it. I remember the first time I heard a cantor and although I did not understand a word; my mind started to soar and I instinctively started to move. It evoked both an emotional and physical response. No doubt my daughter would have a scientific explanation as to why certain sounds invite this kind of response and causes my neuro pathways to spark.

As with the way of most things, I was looking for something else and found this rendition of an old Chanukah song. I was undone. The recording is not the highest quality and it was taken from a live performance sponsored by Rabbis for Human Rights (except for Jews)….oh, well it will probably make Dr. Dawg happy. Anyway -. Pharaoh’s Daughter performing Ma Oz Tzur. Enjoy.

Ma’oz Tzur Yeshu’ati, lekha na’eh leshabe’ah.
Tikon beit tefilati, vesham toda nezabe’ah.
Le’et takhin matbe’ah mitzar hamnabe’ah.
Az egmor beshir mizmor hanukat hamizbe’ah.

O mighty stronghold of my salvation, to praise You is a delight.
Restore my House of Prayer and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering.
When You have prepared the slaughter for the barking foe,
Then I shall complete with a song of hymn the dedication of the Altar.