Requiescat in Pace, Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011)

So I heard the news earlier today that British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment.  I took this news hard because she has been one of my favorites since her debut on the music scene in 2003.  I had always hoped that the talented young singer would put whatever troubles she was dealing with behind her and make a stunning return to the top of the music charts.  Back to Black was such a definitive music statement, so hopefully her musical legacy lives on.

Later, I got into a conversation with a friend about the so called 27 Club, after hearing about Amy's death.  I don't want to make light of any of the musician's lives whose names appear on that list, by linking their deaths to some supposed curse.  But I have to note the interesting coincidences in the patterns those lives took and how they all came to an untimely end.  Amy Winehouse was an amazing songwriter with the type of voice you can't help but listen to.  We should remember her for that, not simply the bad choices she made in life.  And since, at this time, the cause of her death is unknown, it is a bit premature to look at this as a tragic result of those choices.

I remember her for the music.  I remember many nights when her lyrics soothed whatever emotional ails I had at the time.  I remember the vibrant singer who burst into my consciousness with hypnotic vocals and a personality as lovable as it was rebellious.  The world not only lost a very talented artist, but also a young woman who some called daughter, sister, as well as friend.




This is the Amy Winehouse that made me a fan.  And these are some of my favorite tracks by the 5-time Grammy winner.  R.I.P. Amy.  May your music forever live on.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Back to School, Again, Again....

So at the end of last year, after not being enrolled in college since February of 2000, I began taking classes for my bachelor's degree in English, at the University of Phoenix.  Although I was excited to be back in school again, I was hesitant about attending this school, because people I talked to had negative reviews about it.  I worried that any degree I obtained would be frowned upon, as well as overpriced.  Interestingly enough, I wouldn't be a student there long enough to find out.  In May, I decided to withdraw from the University of Phoenix because my move to Maryland meant I could no longer get the same degree.  Makes no sense, right?  An exclusively online university has stipulations on what degree you can receive, based on where you live.  Crazy!

So I've been looking at other schools since then, mainly ones in the Maryland area, and today I am overjoyed.  Today, I went to the open house at UMUC.

They had an open house near the Largo area.  It was really informative, I got my application submitted, talked with a financial aid adviser, and even looked at the first course I'd be taking.  I'm really excited about the ability to minor in Journalism at UMUC, along with my English major.  These are the two areas I've always been trying to decide between, and now I'll get a strong foundation in both of them.  So finally, I'm back in school.  Again.  Again.   You get the point.

All in all, today was a very pleasant experience, minus the sweltering heat blanketing the DC area.  Right now, I'm really excited, grabbing a bite to eat at L'Enfant Plaza, before calling it an afternoon.

Hopefully you all are enjoying your weekend, and most importantly, beating the heat.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Mental Escape #4

Because blue is my favorite color....

Or either I'd go here!!

(found these pictures over at i am i am iam,  a great blog)

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Picture It Rare (July 20, 2011)

When was the last time I posted some great photos?  It's been ages.  Well, hopefully you all enjoy these so much that you try not to hold the lack of posting against me.  Please comment on your favorites.

Another group of amazing photos.  Once again, I do not own the rights to any of these pictures.  Just wanted to share.  I really like the little cowboy and the spectacular sunset behind the line of chairs beneath the Polynesian style enclosure.  Looks very blissful.  Have a fantastic evening, and do your best to picture life rare.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Something New

Note to readers:  Lately, I'm polishing up both my poetry and prose, as I will be doing a ton of submitting in the next few months, to literary magazines and contests.  This is a new poem that I just finished, hoping it is the first step in producing material worthy of publication.  Enjoy.

Manned

for the first to let me touch

when NASA announced the suspension of the shuttle program

I was suddenly slapped by recollection of your thighs,

cosmic, other worldly vessels

all thrusters and rockets

sparking thought of

exotic lands

you taught my fingers to be payloads,

delivered expertly, with missions in mind,

you hid your treasures, a trove on Mars

and demanded I find a path to them

I was a rover, probing happily

oh, to sojourn those corners, seeking truth!

sunset spilled across our

pores, like sweat,

until we lay, stretches of untamed red terrain

your lips, extraterrestrial beings

taught me their language in

short, sweet spurts

finished, fluent, I relayed my findings

your smile communicated

that you concurred

I’m not sure if we can call that

summer successful, once we collected our

samples, we sought reentry,

back to those lives where the

lights didn’t blink

across our weightless bodies like

provoked stars

in my mouth, the feint taste of uncharted rivers,

the air smells of a foreign mixture

somewhere between acceptance and need,

on my skin, I feel yours, this

phantom land

where I once fingered my way

through your lack of gravity and swore

I reached Heaven, as a man