Perfect Moon...

I have shared time and again how I love being in my forties...every new age seems better than those before. And in this state of grace, I hold many women who came before me in awe.

As a music lover, I have known a bit about Patti Smith forever. THE pioneer woman of punk-rock, she was never one to sit quietly in the corner...she is by all definitions a mover and a shaker. You can imagine how thrilled I was upon receiving my recent Vanity Fair to find she penned an interview with her good friend, Johnny Depp. Even if you are not a fan of Johnny Depp (for which I am sorry to hear your either blind or mentally deficient) I encourage you to read this article. It is refreshing to find someone of such depth and intelligence engaging with someone as equally intelligent. Remember, it was my favorite narcissist, Truman Capote, who claimed, ""A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet." This is indeed a conversation.

As if publication in one of my favorite mags was not pleasure enough, my BFF Maureen Dowd shared her emulation of Patti in her recent article Because The Night Belongs To Her. I love the way Maureen can spin it with equal parts fact, snark, wit, and intelligence. She definitely honored our God-mother of Punk with her words. Maureen praises Patti, who "radiates magic" in her aging and continues to push herself into new genres. Once again I give thanks for women like her who pave the way for women like me to continue re-inventing ourselves.

So Ms. Smith, when you read this (and you will read this) when I finally get my salon in place and it is time to bring the great minds to the discussion, you simply must join us. Maureen can pick you up on the way. Until such time, this aspiring poet shares your great words with the masses...along with my sincere gratitude and thanks.


Perfect Moon

     by Patti Smith

[from Ivan Kral's Nostalgia album, 1996 (poem performed with music by John Cale). Note that the text is of the poem "december", p. 90, Early Work / 1970 - 1979, Copyright © Patti Smith 1994.]

perfect moon
I am calling
perfect moon
clad impure
I approach
your naked neck
barefoot
baying
perfect moon

perfect moon
I am with you
perfect moon
I adore
surrendering
to thy great
hands
I am yours
perfect moon

Copyright © Patti Smith 1996