Poetic Serendipity

Poetry has the incredible ability to soothe, inspire, heal and restore faith, creativity, and sanity in a life-sucking world. And even to set off a chain reaction of positivity and good deeds.

This beautiful album found its way into my life, and produced the gift of a machine on which to enjoy it.

Back in February, I was fortunate to stumble upon an event featuring former Montana poets laureate Sheryl Noethe and Mark Gibbons as well as David E. Thomas, and James Jay reading their work at the Library.

Songwriter Aaron Jennings captured these voices on limited edition handmade polycarbonate albums (each with a completely unique hand-painted letterpress print) that he crafted in his garage on a 1940s Presto 6n record lathe. Each an original work of art.

I was so moved by the poetry, and so impressed with the care that went into the albums that I bought one, though I had no way to play it. Aaron advised me to inquire at Rockin' Rudy's about where to find a good used turntable. But alas, I haven't yet done that.

At a recent event with the Missoula Writing Collaborative at Free Cycles, I was pleasantly astonished that a Poetry Open Mic could pack the house on a Friday night! This alone restored some hope and creative courage to my weary soul (on a day when the University announced cutting the Masters in Literature program).

But here, I also came across this album again, for sale at the Fact & Fiction table where Christopher was vending. I praised the artistry of the album, but admitted I had yet to listen to it.

Before we had even exchanged three sentences, Christopher offered to give me a small record player he was ready to part with, though it might need some TLC.

All this generosity restores a fragile balance of spirit that needs human goodness.

And this is how, this morning, I started my day listening to the voices of our brilliant Montana poets, on a spinning work of art, on a gift from a kind stranger. Mark Gibbons' "Your Truth" particularly resonates for me today.

All this generosity - the balm of poetry, art hand-crafted with love and intention, and a need being acknowledged and met with a gift - restores a fragile balance of spirit that needs human goodness.

Interestingly, miraculously, the record played through, perfectly, once. Second time, it would only skip. And now I must dutifully fulfill my debt of gratitude by seeking out a new needle.

Fact & Fiction still has copies of this incredible album, a Missoula poetry time capsule, for sale while supplies last. There are only 37 of them!