James Joyce

This is a site for ReJoycing. For all things Joycean.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Did I dream of Ornette Coleman?

I did my best to dream the right things,
I did the best dreaming,
For the sake of others.

Do you know that sometimes I play the violin?
I am not a singular omen.

My instruments keen and cry.
Enjoying improvisation.
I am inside the places that others will never go.

In my elevator of sound,
I move all the way through your life.

Even though I am slightly out of tune,
A certain discordance is a celestial dawn.

I dance in your head.
You have flowers in your sunshine.
You are a carnival,
My songs will weave in your hair.

I do not know the reason.
Cherry, Haden and Higgins,
Yes, another Portrait of the Artist.

Lillian Gish is here too,
Her face a droplet of purity,
Her tiny hand a hunger on me.

What reason could I give?
Only that I felt the power,
Moving sound,
My notes are malleable and strange.

I am put on loop.
Playing forever.

My instruments keen and cry.
Enjoying improvisation.
I am inside the places that others will never go.

In my elevator of sound,
I move all the way through your life.


Friday, June 05, 2015

Vivienne

Supposing I had influence, yes. There were heavy debates about me. On one occasion, around the time of the __________ character, there was much deliberation about whether it was me that was the cause of this. Flying through the air after the collision on that road, outside those gates, I was found bleeding. The cause of the crash was unknown and no-one came forward at that time. The femme fatale, I was hailed after this notorious flash-fried piece of nonsense – sometimes as a heroine. ‘Our heroine’ no less. The journey to the hospital was slow and rattled the bones.
I was, no more or less, the inspiration for many an article. In 1984 (research is complicated) there was some discussion around copyright. At Merton College, a similar accident took place – very unfortunate. I was working as a governess, I recall. I met you in Oxford, but I was still quite tired and physically damaged after what had happened. Not only the car-crash. Somehow, there were bruises and a ring of fingers – left a perfect mirror of the hands.
The intolerance felt created storms. In 1933, somehow Bertrand Russell got involved. Somewhere along the line. Or was that Anne Sexton and her psychiatrist? Something along the lines of a ‘lover’ returning.

Faber and Faber Memorandum.
Please instruct all parties (including the Bloomsbury Group) to take a non-participatory role in future.
Philosophers and poets.
Instructions.

“Polly! Keep quiet! Polly! I’m trying to listen! Oh look, Polly. There he is. Can you see him, Polly? If I hold you up high, you’ll be able to see too. Oh, my boy. Oh.”

He was cold and ruthless. Always shouting. Self-absorbed. Stealing from her. Angry, full of it. Anger like a bone. Anger so hard. Anger in a nut. She cried out in the night, from the pain of it all. Finger-nut shells. Do as I ask. I am the devil. I will punish you. At times he said he had all of the traits of a killer. She wasn’t surprised at that.

Journal Entry, 1938.
I found my sister at 5am. She seemed irrational, disturbed. I was very aware of her fragility at this time. London is not a safe place for her at this time. Anyone could have hurt her. Anyone could have attacked her. I contacted the relevant offices and took her to a safe place. She has been talking about beheadings and the like. What has happened to her? I know that she will resist what is happening. Her shoes were caked with mud and the grim slime of the pavements. She is fragile. Extremely fragile. Her arm is troubling her more and more. Ever since she was seven, I have struggled to understand her. She couldn’t remember anything. I’m so worried about her. I know she has found it hard to cope with the ups and downs of life. Still, she had her chances. So much has been spent on her now….there’s nothing left for me. I’ll contact him tomorrow and let him know what is going on. It is truly awful.

Heart failure is a common cause of death. This can be caused by extreme stress. Strong evidence of a heart attack.

Haringay evidence conserved for future references associated with the poet.

Studies in 2015 suggest that the treatment for hormonal fluctuations is relevant with this case. Dr. R. Flewis has noted that women who have been misdiagnosed in the past with mental illness could be helped and supported with a careful health plan according to physical causes.

Deaths could be prevented. Walking out into a stream with only pebbles for weight. Heart failure. Heads forced into small spaces. Gas. Pills.

As others questioned the death, the poets gained awards for their success.

Success, success.