Sam Rivers Lives On

"YAWP!" by Danny Lyons, www.lycons.com

Sam Rivers proved that you could do anything.

You could play anything. And you'd get away with it, as long as you had the deep passion and the sheer energy to back it up.

As a photographer, I embraced Sam's radical, free-jazz ethos. Sam's music provided raw inspiration and a kind of artistic shelter for a budding creative photographer.

Whenever I witnessed Sam let loose his primal and eternal "YAWP," or when his roaring saxophone would wail sublimely, I knew somehow, I was more alive than ever.

Thank you Sam. You shared it with all of us. We carry it with us and you live on.

Sam Rivers, Jazz Artist of Loft Scene, Dies at 88, New York Times

Jazz Artist Sam Rivers Dead at 88, Rolling Stone

The coffee

Roasted, sublimely,
Heated, refilled, sipped, enjoyed.
[at waffle house yo]

working the mash-up angle in the driving rain. [punch | pounce | persevere]

Jawbone

A drifting snowflake
Has no identical match.
[much like your jawbone].

In the Loft

Up off the cold ground,
Floating in the chilly air,
In the Museum.

Sometimes You Go Back

Sometimes you go back.

time's discourtesies reveal

the bare bones of truth

and what always was.

sometimes maybe you go back.

and find what wasn't.

Summertime Rolls

Seemingly it's sly.
Magic! Oh, that Roy G. Biv
is at it again.

[stolen property]

Flame Out

[Golden translucence]
The bright swirl of Everything
[clever ending here].

Be or Become

Striving is pointless.
Breathe in and out and just Be.
[Stop trying so hard].

Patterns & Pressure

You see the patterns
Before you see the patterns.
[bend before you break]

SpaceMan

He followed his dreams.
He had a romance with risk.
He's now unemployed.

Salted Peanuts

He could tell the time
By counting his empty bags
Of salted peanuts.

Violin Man

Did the violin
Make his face? Or did his face
Make the violin?

The Simple

Finding The Simple?
It's where you aren't looking.
And everywhere else.

Old School

"And people get stuck
In old techniques," he ranted.
[Invent. Innovate.]

Protected Space

[Cunningly charming]
She *does* inhabit pockets
Of protected space.

Hickory Sky

The Sun's reflection.
Reiterations of light.
[golden canopy]

Logistics

Somebody gets paid
To understand all of it.
I'm not paid enough.

'Tis The Season

[Evaporation]
Jumping the gun. Finish line.
Consumers jump in.

Binary

[Always Black & White].
Two sides to every story.
Nothing in between.

Living in the MultiVerse

Nothing is different.
All things are isolated,
And all things are one.

*POP*

.....
.......
.....

When in Doubt

Just look to the words
Of all those who've gone before.
[or go your own way].

Timely Meditation

Without a challenge,
Empowerment does not grow.
[A cooler wind blows].

Greenlight Go

.....
ooooooo
.....

Dots

All you need are dots.
[Roy Lichtenstein would be proud].
The eyes do the rest.

No-Talent Punks

The beholder's eye
Is contemptuously thick.
[Lemmings run in groups].

Flowers for Trees

Finding the sweet spot
Is what everybody wants.
[I look to the trees].

Not Buying It

Bread & Circuses
Reigns in this america
[Hang on to your hat].

Shiny Objects

You might see yourself
Inside the shiny objects.
[Bring on the Disco].

Throw Caution To The Wind

It's just you and the
Fruity Pebbles and the milk.
[Better get two spoons].

Steve Jobs, Thank You.

innovator who

empowered the world, which is

now a better place.

i am saddened by this loss. i credit steve jobs and apple for empowering me with the tools and innovation so i could express myself through the digital world and particularly through music and photography. there are millions of people around the world who's artistry and creativity were enhanced by these amazing innovations, even long before the ipod, iphone and ipad. steve jobs deserves endless credit for the impact he's made on the world. he will be deeply missed.

-danny lyons

www.lycons.com

The Luxury

"You've The Luxury
Of not knowing what I know,"
[said the chartist man].

From Within, From Without

From where the light shines,
Matters Not. Simply break down
The daily routines.

When You're Stuck, Get Unstuck

The available tools
Must be gathered and prepared.
Then, get the fuck out.

Waste Not

The Honey Badger's
Got nothin on the chickens.
They don't give a shit.

Life is Unfinished Business

Woodruff attempted
To tell us about this fact.
[Those Historians].

Written Right On The Dashboard

The word of the day
[Written right on the dashboard]
Will go unheeded.

Tree Climber's Lot

Cracks, fissures and gnarls.
Working with unknown unknowns.
[The Tree Climber's Lot]

6 [Perfection]

6
Give it all you got.
Break it. Divide the pieces.
[it's always perfect]

Liquidation Program

If it's not nailed down,
Auction it for the best price.
Everything must go.

OverThinker

Don't OverThink it.
Allow serendipity,
OverTinkerer.

Always, MirrorBall.

We'll go together.
I'll always be there for you,
Until my last breath.

Sueño

The people gather
To climb in the tree, finding
Peace and happiness.

Taking A Bite

You'll sleep when you die.
Meanwhile, take a big fucking
Bite out of your day.

Change of Scenery

Anonymity.
Eyes on the distant skyline.
Refreshing reboot.

Stop, Go, Repeat.

12345
2345678
34567

Public Service Announcement

Can't count on the Feds.
Or the police, or Army.
You are on your own.

We will always remember.

Born Alone

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mnopq

Human, Flying

Where do I sign up?

The adrenaline

Pumping. The inspiration

Burns inside my gut.

The Light

Where sky meets water,
One reflecting the other.
Blurry is the line.

Fist of Power

"Fist of Power," by Danny Lyons, www.lycons.com

Long-forgotten times,
When we actually made things.
[Get back to your roots]