this is very beautiful (the music meditation) it's made me feel extremely calm and it goes beautifully with this cold, April, rain that feels almost like it's in then house with me (leaky roof) but only in part. Just beautiful thank you.
Listening in London, UK by way of Angola, Southern Africa. This segment reminded me of my hometown in Africa. You were able to help me momentarily escape the fast pace of London City and briefly take me home emotionally and spiritually. Thank you
Annie Dillard says that we should try to write in such a way that if a dying person read it, it "would not enrage by its triviality." Having just been out there in the Pacific Northwest to be with someone as she died, tonight as I sit by the open window with the NH evening's crickets accompanying you in high and low rhythmic ringing sounds, I'm listening to this song with its brief human voice, and it's exactly the right thing not to trivialize the beauty and fragility all around us. "Cathedral," indeed. Thank you, as ever, Matt.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss — I'm sure your presence was a great comfort to them as they passed. Thank you for listening, and thank you for the incredibly kind words. I'm currently re-reading Dillard's The Writing Life, again.
I’m listening from a train in Singapore. I’m looking forward to hopefully visiting my best friend in Vancouver next month (assuming Canada approves my visa in the next couple of weeks 🤞).
Also, your voice (both singing and reading) is so soothing! A perfect match for your soothing music.
Listening from Melbourne Australia and looking forward to spring - today the air smells of grass, mud and growing. Official spring starts next week, but it is here today. Thank you for your beautiful meditation.
I went for an early morning walk last week deep in an eastern German forest. The sun shined and bounced off the dew drops glistening everywhere - it reminded me of miniature disco balls that hung from the spruce needles. The forest floor was soft...almost bouncy...and green - a kind of deep forest green I don't recall ever seeing. Mushrooms erupted from the green carpet - dozens of varieties, I'm sure, would have made the overly curious quite sick. It was a beautiful moment...it felt very much like I was walking in one of nature's many cathedrals...and your latest meditation takes me right back to that beautiful moment - thanks so much!
Oh my goodness, Jack, that sounds like a dream. I have been in forests like that, but not often enough. They feel like the forests of fairy tales. How often do you travel outside of Switzerland?
This latest piece is so immersive and brilliant, and fits so well with the Steinbeck's description of the place. So palpable, when I closed my eyes I could feel as if I were in a forest myself and then in a cathedral with high ceilings and stained windows. Thank you for this little moment of meditation and calmness. Really needed it today.
I am longing to get back to nature. It's stifling hot in Texas. Everyday I ask myself why I live here. I know I don't want to die here. I'm a California girl. Experiencing more of the northwest is on my list of things I must do. Thank you for taking me there for these few moments.
What part of Texas are you in? We have a lot of family and friends there, and we lived in Austin for about 6 years. I think that I've always been more of an overcast day / cooler weather person, and getting out here has made all the difference.
Yes, so good! (I loved your Everything is a Remix post and remember seeing your notes on DC there!) I've always enjoyed reading Dickens, and loved David Copperfield. I like a lot of Kingsolver's work, so I was pretty excited to pick this one up. (Also, I saw your email — will get back to you soon!)
this is very beautiful (the music meditation) it's made me feel extremely calm and it goes beautifully with this cold, April, rain that feels almost like it's in then house with me (leaky roof) but only in part. Just beautiful thank you.
Cathedral Hush was posted by you days ago.
I return to often to often; to let go of a day or recall this moment. It is playing now as I write.
Thank you again for its grace.
Very thoughtful of you to say so, Alixandra. Thank you very much for listening.
Listening in London, UK by way of Angola, Southern Africa. This segment reminded me of my hometown in Africa. You were able to help me momentarily escape the fast pace of London City and briefly take me home emotionally and spiritually. Thank you
That's really nice to hear, CK — I've never been to any part of Africa, but would love to visit someday. London is such a busy place!
Annie Dillard says that we should try to write in such a way that if a dying person read it, it "would not enrage by its triviality." Having just been out there in the Pacific Northwest to be with someone as she died, tonight as I sit by the open window with the NH evening's crickets accompanying you in high and low rhythmic ringing sounds, I'm listening to this song with its brief human voice, and it's exactly the right thing not to trivialize the beauty and fragility all around us. "Cathedral," indeed. Thank you, as ever, Matt.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss — I'm sure your presence was a great comfort to them as they passed. Thank you for listening, and thank you for the incredibly kind words. I'm currently re-reading Dillard's The Writing Life, again.
Beautiful and poignant ❤️
Merci ❤️
This is so beautiful. Looking forward to reading more of your other pieces
Thank you so much, Kayla!
Of course!
I’m speechless 😶 This issue is a whole new experience. Hope that from now on you will always read these poems - your voice is so soft and calming 🫶
Thank you, Stygi — that is very kind of you! I'm never sure about recording the poems, but I'm so glad you liked it! I'll keep doing it!
I hope you will. It would be a shame to keep that radio voice of yours hidden from the world. Seriously it's something that deserves to be shared
😭 thank youuuuuu
You did it again! Sublime in every way. The poem reading, Steinbeck, everything. Bravo, Matt!
Thank you, Alexander!
I’m listening from a train in Singapore. I’m looking forward to hopefully visiting my best friend in Vancouver next month (assuming Canada approves my visa in the next couple of weeks 🤞).
Also, your voice (both singing and reading) is so soothing! A perfect match for your soothing music.
Thank you so much, Rachel! Hope you get to go to Vancouver — it's a great city.
Listening from Melbourne Australia and looking forward to spring - today the air smells of grass, mud and growing. Official spring starts next week, but it is here today. Thank you for your beautiful meditation.
Thanks, Michelle — it's wonderful to hear from you. I hope you enjoy your spring!
I went for an early morning walk last week deep in an eastern German forest. The sun shined and bounced off the dew drops glistening everywhere - it reminded me of miniature disco balls that hung from the spruce needles. The forest floor was soft...almost bouncy...and green - a kind of deep forest green I don't recall ever seeing. Mushrooms erupted from the green carpet - dozens of varieties, I'm sure, would have made the overly curious quite sick. It was a beautiful moment...it felt very much like I was walking in one of nature's many cathedrals...and your latest meditation takes me right back to that beautiful moment - thanks so much!
Oh my goodness, Jack, that sounds like a dream. I have been in forests like that, but not often enough. They feel like the forests of fairy tales. How often do you travel outside of Switzerland?
These types of forests are simply magical...fairy tales are a good way to describe them - especially when they are filled with mushrooms...
I travel outside of Switzerland about 5 or 6 times per year.
This latest piece is so immersive and brilliant, and fits so well with the Steinbeck's description of the place. So palpable, when I closed my eyes I could feel as if I were in a forest myself and then in a cathedral with high ceilings and stained windows. Thank you for this little moment of meditation and calmness. Really needed it today.
Thank you so much, Lucia, for listening closely — that makes me very happy to hear.
This really built the vibe for finishing my patron postcard art for the month! My meditative weirdos paired well with your meditative jaunt :)
Ha, perfect! Thanks for listening!
How beautiful and moving. Thank you. Will listen often.
Very kind — thank you!
I am longing to get back to nature. It's stifling hot in Texas. Everyday I ask myself why I live here. I know I don't want to die here. I'm a California girl. Experiencing more of the northwest is on my list of things I must do. Thank you for taking me there for these few moments.
What part of Texas are you in? We have a lot of family and friends there, and we lived in Austin for about 6 years. I think that I've always been more of an overcast day / cooler weather person, and getting out here has made all the difference.
I’m just north of Austin in Cedar Park. I’ve been here since 2000.
Yep, I know Cedar Park well! My wife was born and raised in the Austin area, so we go back frequently. Hope things start to cool off for you soon!
What do you think of “Demon Copperhead”?? I read it earlier this year and absolutely loved it (wrote a bit about it in “Everything is a Remix”). 🤓📘
Yes, so good! (I loved your Everything is a Remix post and remember seeing your notes on DC there!) I've always enjoyed reading Dickens, and loved David Copperfield. I like a lot of Kingsolver's work, so I was pretty excited to pick this one up. (Also, I saw your email — will get back to you soon!)