A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The ignorant are hypnotized
by stolen words that mesmerize.
But do those who plagiarize
are really all that wise?
In time, their cover shall be minimized...
In ways only to jeopardize
the beauty of surprise.
Maybe then they'll realize
that art's what they've brutalized.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Friday, 29 June 2007
CRIMSON SUN
A POEM By: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
I had witnessed the dawn of the Crimson Sun,
before the devil churned my soul into carnal sin.
All that´s left of my faith is now gonna burn,
just like them good old days of gambling fun.
Guess I´ll be leaving Vegas behind for good.
A Land that many have never fully understood.
I´ll hit the road towards the shores of azure!
I´m going to California were there´s joy for sure!
As soon as I hit those white sandy Venice Beaches,
I´ll quickly forget I was in such a dreadfully vicious state.
I´ll savor life again with aging bourbon & juicy peaches!
For I´m master of my destiny, and I´ll change my fate!
I really don´t care if the devil wants me to perish.
I´ll keep on roaming, for I´m a damn son-of-a-gun!
But I´ll truly miss the rays of the blistering Crimson Sun.
And in memory I´ll keep them burning feverishly.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
I had witnessed the dawn of the Crimson Sun,
before the devil churned my soul into carnal sin.
All that´s left of my faith is now gonna burn,
just like them good old days of gambling fun.
Guess I´ll be leaving Vegas behind for good.
A Land that many have never fully understood.
I´ll hit the road towards the shores of azure!
I´m going to California were there´s joy for sure!
As soon as I hit those white sandy Venice Beaches,
I´ll quickly forget I was in such a dreadfully vicious state.
I´ll savor life again with aging bourbon & juicy peaches!
For I´m master of my destiny, and I´ll change my fate!
I really don´t care if the devil wants me to perish.
I´ll keep on roaming, for I´m a damn son-of-a-gun!
But I´ll truly miss the rays of the blistering Crimson Sun.
And in memory I´ll keep them burning feverishly.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
SOLDIERS DIE
A POEM By: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Politicians lie.
Bullets fly.
Soldiers die.
Mothers cry.
Survivors sigh.
Enough good-byes.
I ask: “why?”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Politicians lie.
Bullets fly.
Soldiers die.
Mothers cry.
Survivors sigh.
Enough good-byes.
I ask: “why?”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
MR. PIMENTEL´S TOP 40 MUST HAVE LIST OF ROCK N´ROLL PEARLS!
HI THERE FOLKS!!!
FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO MY "TOP 40 MUST HAVE LIST OF ROCK N´ROLL PEARLS"! I FEEL MUCH OBLIGED TO SHARING SOME OF MY TOP PICKS WITH YOU. I´D ONLY LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS PRIOR TO STARTING.
1)First: the albums presented here were listed with the intent of sharing my personal tastes.
2)Second: They´re a handy guide with some good advice for those who are pursuing an enhancement for their own music collection and are willing to expand their horizons. Since rock is a bounteous entity which embraces extensive diversity, please note that selections listed here range from a series of highly relevant subgenres such as: Folk, Fusion, Grunge, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive, Psychadelic, and Punk, all of which have helped shape the style as a whole throughout the decades.
3)Finally: The rankings should not be taken seriously. That´s because if it were possible, I would´ve ranked all of the depicted records in the #1 slot! So sit back and have a great time browsing the list! No limits, no rules! Just the sheer love for the music!
If I could be of any further assistance regarding music pick, please feel free to write me an e-mail: ferpi1977@hotmail.com
We can further discuss this list and other topics regarding music!
1) "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" - The Beatles
2) "The Dark Side Of The Moon" - Pink Floyd
3) "Stand Up" - Jethro Tull
4) "Electric Ladyland" - Jimi Hendrix
5) "Vol. IV/ZOSO"- Led Zeppelin
6) "Machine Head" - Deep Purple
7) "Octopus" - Gentle Giant
8) "Red" - King Crimson
9) "2112" - Rush
10) "Fillmore East" - The Allmans Brothers Band
11) "One More For The Road" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
12) "Let It Bleed" - Rolling Stones
13) "Hot Rats" - Frank Zappa
14) "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust" - David Bowie
15) "Cosmo´s Factory" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
16) "Cheap Thrills" - Big Brother & The Holding Company
17) "Surrealistic Pillow" - Jefferson Airplane
18) "Abraxas" - Santana
19) "Who´s Next" - The Who
20) "Buffalo Springfield" - Buffalo Springfield
21) "4-Way Street" - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
22) "Moving Pictures" - Rush
23) "Band of Gypsys" - Jimi Hendrix
24) "Tarkus" - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
25) "The Turn Of A Friendly Card" - Alan Parson´s Project
26) "Lark´s Tongue In Aspic" - King Crimson
27) "Vol. 4" - Black Sabbath
28) "Fragile" - Yes
29) "The Doors" - The Doors
30) "Music From Big Pink" - The Band
31) "With A Little Help From My Friends" - Joe Cocker
32) "Slowhand" - Eric Clapton
33) "Rising" - Rainbow
34) "Rocket To Russia" - Ramones
35) "Ten" - Pearl Jam
36) "Combat Rock" - The Clash
37) "The Wall" - Pink Floyd
38) "Vs". - Pearl Jam
39) "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
40) "We´re An American Band" - Grand Funk Railroad
Long Live Rock N´Roll!!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Monday, 18 June 2007
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
PAUL GIAMATTI STARS AS THE OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE HARVEY PEKAR, A WORKING CLASS HERO WHO BECAME A NATIONAL SENSATION DURING THE 80´S WITH HIS REALISTIC CARTOONS DEPICTING HIS OWN DAILY ROUTINE.
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
From the streets of Cleveland, OH, emerged the legend of “AMERICAN SPLENDOR”, a comic book which faithfully depicted the ups and downs of a man who represented an entire generation of blue-collar workers in an America increasingly dominated by the yuppie ideology of the 80´s. Our hero was a former V.A Hospital file clerk named “Harvey Pekar”, a middle aged, self-loathing character who suffered from intense depressive compulsions which would constantly keep him in a state of intense negativity. Everything, from his attitudes to his dressing code, would illustrate his total lack of self-esteem. Such careless conditions would lead Harvey to undergo two failed relationships, which would end up taking a severe toll on his personal life.
As of the second rejection, Harvey starts looking at life with different eyes. It´s when he has an epiphany and decides that he will make the most out of the ordinary. Tired of the childish thematics of super-hero and animal cartoons, he decides to create a comic book in which the main character is no one but himself. He then starts to narrate his own real life experiences through his stories, using the cartoon media as his vehicle. Illustrations are crafted by underground comic artists such as the legendary Robert Crumb, a personal friend of Harvey´s which he met back in the early 60´s in Cleveland. Everything which happens to Harvey´s life has the potential to become comic book material.
As soon as the comic books hit the street they become a major sensation, and do a great deal to help Pekar´s personal life. Through his own gloomy vision of the world which sorrounded him, Pekar was able to generate a very refined form of dark humor which conquered a series of fans throughout the nation. One of these fans ended up becoming his loving wife, Joyce Brabner.
On the screen, faithfully portraying Pekar, is Paul Giamatti. His impersonation is so near perfection, that even when Pekar himself appears in the movie it is quite hard to tell who is who. Giamatti´s acting is superb. He fills Pekar´s shoes with no difficulty and feels quite comfortable in them. Giamatti demonstrates great easiness in playing the self-loathing, all-time loser type. Similarities between his character “Miles” from “SIDEWAYS” and “Harvey Pekar” are quite obvious. Both share these common personality traits, which Giamatti so authentically delivers through his acting. In a supporting role is actress Hope Davis, playing Harvey´s wife, Joyce. Both Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis, in addition to their phenomenal acting skills, are aslo very noticeable for their physical similarities to the original Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner.
Another strong point which comes to the aid of this motion picture is its cartoon-like form of narrative with shots which very much resemble a comic book. Boxes and dialogue balloons are carefully inserted in certain moments through-out the movie as to enhance the look and feel of this cartoon-driven plot. Animated drawings of Harvey himself interact with Paul Giamatti´s character, a graphic resource which adds much credibility and interest to the picture as a whole.
With an interesting solid plot and grandiose acting by Paul Giamatti, “AMERICAN SPLENDOR” is destined to become a cult classic. It is one of those movies which so brilliantly deals with the weaknesses of human character and the possibilities of turn-arounds in life. Finally, it also explores a genre which many times can become dull by the exaggerations and misconducts which are so common when exploring biographies. In this case, the theme was sharply conducted by director Robert Pulcini, who did a great job in leveling the characters´ virtues and limitations without letting one overshadow the other.
***** FIVE STARS - A CULT CLASSIC !!!!
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
From the streets of Cleveland, OH, emerged the legend of “AMERICAN SPLENDOR”, a comic book which faithfully depicted the ups and downs of a man who represented an entire generation of blue-collar workers in an America increasingly dominated by the yuppie ideology of the 80´s. Our hero was a former V.A Hospital file clerk named “Harvey Pekar”, a middle aged, self-loathing character who suffered from intense depressive compulsions which would constantly keep him in a state of intense negativity. Everything, from his attitudes to his dressing code, would illustrate his total lack of self-esteem. Such careless conditions would lead Harvey to undergo two failed relationships, which would end up taking a severe toll on his personal life.
As of the second rejection, Harvey starts looking at life with different eyes. It´s when he has an epiphany and decides that he will make the most out of the ordinary. Tired of the childish thematics of super-hero and animal cartoons, he decides to create a comic book in which the main character is no one but himself. He then starts to narrate his own real life experiences through his stories, using the cartoon media as his vehicle. Illustrations are crafted by underground comic artists such as the legendary Robert Crumb, a personal friend of Harvey´s which he met back in the early 60´s in Cleveland. Everything which happens to Harvey´s life has the potential to become comic book material.
As soon as the comic books hit the street they become a major sensation, and do a great deal to help Pekar´s personal life. Through his own gloomy vision of the world which sorrounded him, Pekar was able to generate a very refined form of dark humor which conquered a series of fans throughout the nation. One of these fans ended up becoming his loving wife, Joyce Brabner.
On the screen, faithfully portraying Pekar, is Paul Giamatti. His impersonation is so near perfection, that even when Pekar himself appears in the movie it is quite hard to tell who is who. Giamatti´s acting is superb. He fills Pekar´s shoes with no difficulty and feels quite comfortable in them. Giamatti demonstrates great easiness in playing the self-loathing, all-time loser type. Similarities between his character “Miles” from “SIDEWAYS” and “Harvey Pekar” are quite obvious. Both share these common personality traits, which Giamatti so authentically delivers through his acting. In a supporting role is actress Hope Davis, playing Harvey´s wife, Joyce. Both Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis, in addition to their phenomenal acting skills, are aslo very noticeable for their physical similarities to the original Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner.
Another strong point which comes to the aid of this motion picture is its cartoon-like form of narrative with shots which very much resemble a comic book. Boxes and dialogue balloons are carefully inserted in certain moments through-out the movie as to enhance the look and feel of this cartoon-driven plot. Animated drawings of Harvey himself interact with Paul Giamatti´s character, a graphic resource which adds much credibility and interest to the picture as a whole.
With an interesting solid plot and grandiose acting by Paul Giamatti, “AMERICAN SPLENDOR” is destined to become a cult classic. It is one of those movies which so brilliantly deals with the weaknesses of human character and the possibilities of turn-arounds in life. Finally, it also explores a genre which many times can become dull by the exaggerations and misconducts which are so common when exploring biographies. In this case, the theme was sharply conducted by director Robert Pulcini, who did a great job in leveling the characters´ virtues and limitations without letting one overshadow the other.
***** FIVE STARS - A CULT CLASSIC !!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
THE AVOCADO AVALANCHE
PEARL JAM´s ASTOUNDING COMEBACK WITH ONE OF THE MOST AWAITED ALBUMS OF 2006 PROVES THAT THE SEATTLE BASED QUINTET HAS BEEN MASTERFUL IN THE ART OF REMAINING A RELEVANT VOICE FOR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ROCK AFICIONADOS.
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
It was with the first jamming power chords of their anthemic and revolutionary debut album “TEN”, back in 1991, that Pearl Jam really brushed up the rusty edges of mainstream rock´s conformism and lack of creativity of the previous decade. Now, fifteen years, more than half a dozen studio albums and over one hundred official bootlegs later, this colossal musical mammoth - bred from the fusion of Hendrix´s bluesy guitar lines and elements of 70´s classic rock - returns from a 4-year creative hiatus with an enthusiastic appetite for re-conquering its throne in the Alternative Rock circuit.
With a tempting overdose of heavily distorted guitar driven tunes, finely calibrated with a pure dose of freshly revitalized and angst-filled lyricism, “PEARL JAM”, the Seattle quintet´s 8th studio achivevement to date, also known informally among fans as the “Avocado Album”, has rapidly established itself as a promising new milestone for the band, quite nearly duplicating the “sound and feel” of the early 90´s primal grunge atmosphere.
What most fans might have realized by now with this release is that gone are the days of Vedder´s personal lament and melodrama. Instead, the plot that “PEARL JAM” so merciless and competently explores through-out most of its tracks concerns a series of unfolding events which are all direct by-products of crass post-9/11 domestic and foreign affairs policies. Ultimately, with its sharp stinging verses aimed at the Bush Administration, the album is a wake-up call for world-wide alertness. Such thesis is revealed true by the content of songs such as “World Wide Suicide”, “Life Wasted”, “Army Reserve”, and “Marker In The Sand”.
Eddie Vedder and Company evoke nostalgic glories of an era when the Seattle quintet was a fearless locomotive of youthful bliss - a time when the group´s performances were marked by its frontman´s outrageous defiance of gravity, as he leaped for the crowd through remarkable stage-dives. In addition to Vedder´s undeniable charisma and astounding vocal qualities, Pearl Jam´s reputation as a state-of-the-art musical act has also been relying on the thrusting machine-gun riffing power of guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready. The “kitchen” has always been subject to constant drummer replacements during the band´s history. However, as of the 1998 “LIVE ON TWO LEGS” tour, bassist Jeff Ament finally found a permanent drumming force in the figure of the virtuoso-percussionist Matt Cameron.
Whether “PEARL JAM” is your very first-hand experience with the band, or if you´re a seasoned die-hard fan striving along the last 15 years accompanying the band´s musical trajectory, the least you can expect is a thrilling rush of musical ecstasy provided by one of the band´s most mature and relevant accomplishments to date. Although not always as dazzling as the first three releases, “PEARL JAM” is a mandatory pick for any serious rock junkie.
***** FIVE STARS! The boys are back in business!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Monday, 4 June 2007
SYNESTHETIC LUNATIC
A POEM BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
A Synesthetic Lunatic is intensely born,
when the infamous 3 provocatively touch the tongue.
Consonants of laughter have suddenly sprung,
A Synesthetic Lunatic is intensely born,
when the infamous 3 provocatively touch the tongue.
Consonants of laughter have suddenly sprung,
as a vivid patchwork of staining tones changes form.
Its asperity hazily pervades the airwaves of thought.
My senses now seem to stand aloof from their meaning.
What are these strange colors I am now listening to?
And this funny distinct odor they´re leaving behind?
I try to grab them, but they all seem to vanish away.
Wait a minute! My senses have really gone astray!
I am really thinking in disarray!
Is it all too late to reminisce today?
Will my memories irrevocably decay?
A temporary lapse of consciousness takes place.
And the colors... they have grown terribly sour.
They don´t sound, or feel or look the same.
Their puzzling effect will be felt in the following hour,
no matter how loud I may scream or shout.
They might even send me to la-la-land!
Why then have I dropped the infamous three?
Maybe because I could´nt stand my look and feel.
My senses now seem to stand aloof from their meaning.
What are these strange colors I am now listening to?
And this funny distinct odor they´re leaving behind?
I try to grab them, but they all seem to vanish away.
Wait a minute! My senses have really gone astray!
I am really thinking in disarray!
Is it all too late to reminisce today?
Will my memories irrevocably decay?
A temporary lapse of consciousness takes place.
And the colors... they have grown terribly sour.
They don´t sound, or feel or look the same.
Their puzzling effect will be felt in the following hour,
no matter how loud I may scream or shout.
They might even send me to la-la-land!
Why then have I dropped the infamous three?
Maybe because I could´nt stand my look and feel.
Perhaps distorting my senses would´ve re-shaped myself.
That´s why the Synesthetic Lunatic became real.
To free myself from self-loathing hell.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
That´s why the Synesthetic Lunatic became real.
To free myself from self-loathing hell.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
FROM HOT SILVER SPOON
A POEM BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Describe me such numbing relief,
one gotten from hot silver spoon.
A thin piercing prick, and gone´s the grief?
You say the world´s at your feet
as your mind thrusts past the moon.
Rollercoaster fun, that´s quite a treat.
How´s the ride: lingering or fading soon?
Your taste has gotten quite fond of it,
and has made it a hell of a gloomy habit.
Back and forth you sting yourself more
seeking for not much but a moment´s bliss.
Ecstasy now won´t last as long as the previous hit.
It will only go on for just a little bit.
Not enough for one used to getting all out of it.
Were you about to say that it was all a dream?
That these illusions you had were all but clean?
Well they drove you to the point of no return.
Your fate subtracted the bulk of my concerns.
Not much is left now from what was left to burn.
Just the dimming flame drawn from hot silver spoon.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Describe me such numbing relief,
one gotten from hot silver spoon.
A thin piercing prick, and gone´s the grief?
You say the world´s at your feet
as your mind thrusts past the moon.
Rollercoaster fun, that´s quite a treat.
How´s the ride: lingering or fading soon?
Your taste has gotten quite fond of it,
and has made it a hell of a gloomy habit.
Back and forth you sting yourself more
seeking for not much but a moment´s bliss.
Ecstasy now won´t last as long as the previous hit.
It will only go on for just a little bit.
Not enough for one used to getting all out of it.
Were you about to say that it was all a dream?
That these illusions you had were all but clean?
Well they drove you to the point of no return.
Your fate subtracted the bulk of my concerns.
Not much is left now from what was left to burn.
Just the dimming flame drawn from hot silver spoon.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Saturday, 2 June 2007
IT WAS 40 YEARS AGO TODAY...
"IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO TODAY, SGT. PEPPER TAUGHT THE BAND TO PLAY...". JUNE 1ST, 1967 - IT WAS WITH THIS CATCHY INTRODUCTION THAT THE BEATLES LAUNCHED THEIR MOST AMBITIOUS AND ORIGINAL RECORDED PROJECT TO DATE. AT THE ZENITH OF THE PSYCHADELIC WAVE, THE FAB-FOUR ESTABLISHED A REMARKABLE AND UNPRECEDENTED BREAKTHROUGH IN THE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC.
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
In a decade marked by social and ideological unrest, characterized by events such as the civil rights movements, the mounting tensions between the Soviet and American-led blocks and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius´s statement of “Make Love, Not War”, the world would witness Rock N´Roll´s third wave of rebellion crashing on the shores of conformity. As of June 1st, 1967, with the release of the state-of-the-art “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, nothing would ever be the same again in this planet, or at least nothing would “sound” the same.
The truth is that the Liverpool quartet revolutionized the music industry standards in vogue at that point, with the release of a conceptual album which modified – among many other things – the simplistic format of the “single” album replacing it for a more daring experience of multiple tracks on vinyl - "Sgt. Peppers" showcased a total of 13 songs. In addition to this major leap, “Sgt. Peppers” would introduce novelties such as fancy artwork for the cover, printed lyrics of the songs on the inner sleeves, a cut-it-yourself inlay with Sgt. Pepper´s chevrons & other band related memorabilia, and of course the most recent hi-tech recording techniques available at Abbey Roads Studios.
The depiction of the Beatles as the “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” was perhaps the ground-breaking concept which raised the bar on rock and roll from being a simple rustic musical style to becoming an outstanding form of media capable of establishing complex relationships with its audience as well as influencing their behaviour. From this point on, subsequent generations of bands would make use of this peculiar style of composition. Notorious examples range from The Who´s 1969 Opera-rock “Tommy” to Pink Floyd´s landmark 1973 “The Dark Side Of The Moon”, both of which have developed their song writing on recurring themes and motifs as to establish a conceptual framework for their songs.
The “Sgt. Peppers” album also gave consistency to an on-going avalanche of high caliber albums by other rock n´roll bands which were also surfing the hazy waves of musical psychedelia in 1967 - during that year rock titans such as The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Velvet Underground, and The Rolling Stones all released mind-altering works.
The music of “Sgt. Peppers” was heavily synesthetic in nature. At the apogee of the psychadelic movement, songs such as “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” and the homonymous “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” were crafted with the use of sound textures and motifs which could arguably be touched, seen and even if the listener was daring enough smelled. In other words, these songs were so heavily influenced by the sorrounding beatnik/hippie “flower power” aura that they were themselves an open door leading to the expansion of the senses. These interlaced sensorial experiences were achieved mainly because of the Beatles´ ingenious musical ability. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were a breed apart in the select hall of musical geniouses, and their vein for musical experimentation, together with their avant-garde vision for the development of innovative ideas were accurately captured on magnetic tape at Abbey Road.
As impressive as it may seem, the 40th anniversary of “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” only proves that the band´s ahead-of-their-time thinking was capable of producing an atemporal classic which will continue to echo throughout the coming of ages.
***** FIVE STARS - AN ATEMPORAL CLASSIC!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Friday, 1 June 2007
POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS
A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The world we see today, thrusted by a globalized set of integrated political and commercial trading practices, is arguably very dissimilar from the bi-polarized and ideologically lugubrious background of the 20th Century´s post World War II years, also known as the “Cold War”. At a time when an imaginary line divided the globe in two geopolitical blocks – the capitalist and socialist –, the United States and the former U.S.S.R were the two major players at the chessboard in charge of the strategy for the rest of the World´s fate. Both sides designated what was known at the time as their “Spheres of Influence”, which in practical terms meant that strategic alliances with other ideologically close countries were drawn with the sole purpose of achieving world-wide domination. Such concept was clearly materialized with the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989), also known as “Iron Curtain”, which literarally divided the world into zones of capitalist and communist ideologies.
America´s role at the time was to secure the deployment of capitalist economical aid, political influence and military support to other areas of the world in detriment of Soviet communist regime expansion, and vice-versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the wars of Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1959-1975) and the Soviet-Afghan (1979-1989) and the constant and widespread fear of nuclear annihilation - at the verge of a massive arms race - were all under the spotlight of world foreign affair policies promoted by both parties. The Vietnam War was perhaps one of the most intriguing outcomes of this conflicted era. It has been increasingly depicted in countless hollywood productions and television series ever since the mid 70´s.
Debuting in 1978, in this sphere of cinematographic story telling, is Michael Cimino´s epic “The Deer Hunter”, which describes the friendship of 3 Pennsylvania steel workers of Rusyn ancestry. As strong and realistic as this tale is, perhaps no other film is as psychological and nerve-wrecking as Francis Ford Coppola´s “Apocalypse Now”, with its intense narrative about an american special forces elite soldier having gone totally insane in the jungles of south asia and having decided to take matters by his own hands and methods. This 1979 motion picture has stirred up audiences around the globe by portraying the horrors of war and its tormenting effects on both civilians and military personnel. Embracing all of this chaotic nature is the fictional Nung River, which metaphorically stands for Colonel Kurtz´s gradual but irreversible psychological navigation towards a derranging stream of consciousness which undeniably led him to cross over to the dark side of mental sanity.
While “The Deer Hunter” was a film about friendship ties dilacerated by mental breakdown caused by imprisonment in Vietnamese P.O.W camps and the unbearable hardships of coming home, and “Apocalypse Now” was a harshly psychological metaphor for military desertion and misconduction of War, Oliver Stone´s 1986 auto-biographical “Platoon” is the definite account on the sheer loss of innocence every young enlisted man underwent during his tour of duty. In the movie, Stone explores the 25th Infantry Division´s Bravo Company Platoon as a microcosm which emblematizes the Pentagon´s controversial and misleading military policy to restrain communist expansion in southeast asia.
Political and ideological clashes erupt between the outfit´s two main leaders – Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias – triggering a polarizing conflict within the platoon which precipitates the decay of morale. The inoperative Lieutenant Wolfe is incapable of controlling the ongoing joust within his group. His total lack of authority over the platoon is accurately portrayed throughout the movie and is somehow Stone´s testimony on America´s incompetence in directing the war.
Politics is a recurring theme in “Platoon” which uncompromisingly displays the military´s unquenchable thirst for power. While Sergeant Barnes is the personification of the ambitious quest for unlimited power, Sergeant O´Neil represents a submissive class of ‘boot-licking” scoundrels who will give unconditional support to their superior officers in exchange of personal benefits. On the extreme opposite end lies Sergeant Elias, a hippie humanist who cares for his fellow men as if they were his own blood. Elias is an authentic crusader who has been in country long enough - at least three complete tours – to become completely acquainted to the devastating sub-products of war and thus form a solid contrary opinion about it – traces of pacifism can actually be inferred by his non-violent behaviour and clear pursuit of escapism. His natural leadership skills spontaneously blossom as he constantly finds himself supporting and coaching rookies who have just been freshly shipped into the combat zone. On the other hand, Sergeant Barnes gains similar respect from his men by casting terror among both foes and friendlies – which pretty much builds his reputation on being feared. Although morally distinct in character, both leaders are equally sharp on combat skills and military tactics.
In addition to the testimonial nature of the film, “Platoon” is also renowned for its scenes of graphic and verbal violence which have been warmly captured by Stone while in duty. “Platoon” is arguably one of the most authentic and visceral movies to depict the tragedies and misfortunes of an entire generation of Americans living during the cold-war era. It also realistically depicts the crude “Politics in Jungle Boots” of a nation struggling to find its role in a Post-World War II nazi-fascist free world.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
PLASTIC SOULS
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The sounds of the world
used to take me places.
They all gave me some sort of hope.
Now, every now and then,
I simply try to get away.
With not much in my mind,
just the haziness of inhaled dope.
All words are now about to disperse,
those of song and verse.
What am I left to contribute,
in the verge of this fading minute?
In a universe packed with plastic souls,
reality rapidly unfolds.
Is possession really all that matters?
Why shift from being warm to cold?
When all I want is to be spiritually embraced
by those true feelings I have never faced.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
used to take me places.
They all gave me some sort of hope.
Now, every now and then,
I simply try to get away.
With not much in my mind,
just the haziness of inhaled dope.
All words are now about to disperse,
those of song and verse.
What am I left to contribute,
in the verge of this fading minute?
In a universe packed with plastic souls,
reality rapidly unfolds.
Is possession really all that matters?
Why shift from being warm to cold?
When all I want is to be spiritually embraced
by those true feelings I have never faced.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Saturday, 5 May 2007
JETHRO TULL´S RENDITION OF "BOURÉE"
The three-minute plus instrumental piece is a melodic journey through a universe of rhythmic diversity which characterizes the band´s gigantism amidst the Barons of Progressive Rock.
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Released in 1969, the album "STAND UP" - the band´s second studio achievement - hosts a vast repertoire of multifaceted compositions which are fusions themselves of various musical elements pertaining to styles as diverse as: classical, folk, celtic, hard rock and jazz. Decades later, these songs would become atemporal Jethro Tull Classics. Among this all-star line-up is their version of the erudit "BOURÉE", which stands-out until the present day as one of the most precious gemstones in the annals of progressive rock.
This particular rendition of Johan Sebastian Bach´s classic piece is simply astonishing. The song starts off in a sublime manner, with Ian Anderson´s magical flute luring the listener along with its angelical melody which in deed seems lighter than air. Such ethereality is only interrupted as the piece´s time signature switches to a funky rhythmic break-down beat. From this point on, the song about faces in structure, shifting from a classical arrangement to a groovy/psychadelic motif in which all band members jam intensely and in a complementary manner.
To guarantee this effect, a superb rhythmic work is handled by both bass player Glenn Cornick and drummer Clive Bunker as they set a sturdily structured jamming framework which serves as a precious safeguard for Ian Anderson´s and Martin Barre´s whimsical solos.
Moreover, Ian Anderson´s role as a “maestro” in charge of his experimental quartet is a solid statement that proved to the entire musical community that his traits as a musician were far too superior for the time. As of that moment, his distinguished position as band leader, composer and musical virtuoso would become unanimously widespread and also immortalized in the timeless chords of his “BOURÉE”.
***** FIVE STARS!!! A TRUE CLASSICAL MASTERPIECE!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Monday, 23 April 2007
GATES OF TIME
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The very essence of southern rock
lies beyond the crossroads of reason.
Where my spirit glides as free as a bird.
Floating really high against the wind.
The Lord is a witness to my height.
He blesses my way into this other world
where I´m just a simple man
wondering across its vastness.
There I´m not a lonely soul
and my heart is not cold.
My spirit molds in form of a biker.
A hell angel baptised in fire
drifting with no destination
easy riding past the gates of time.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
The very essence of southern rock
lies beyond the crossroads of reason.
Where my spirit glides as free as a bird.
Floating really high against the wind.
The Lord is a witness to my height.
He blesses my way into this other world
where I´m just a simple man
wondering across its vastness.
There I´m not a lonely soul
and my heart is not cold.
My spirit molds in form of a biker.
A hell angel baptised in fire
drifting with no destination
easy riding past the gates of time.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Thursday, 19 April 2007
IN MEMORIAM - LIVIU LIBRESCU
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Somebody once said that "Images speak louder than 10,000 words".
However, the selfless act of sacrifice of Mr. Liviu Librescu, a holocaust survivor, is one that not even the infinity of words will be able to properly describe it. It is something way beyond our modest comprehensions.
Motivated by genuine altruism, Mr. Librescu taught the entire world last Monday that his love for his fellow Virginia Tech students, and why not say mankind, was above all things.
May his example live strongly throughout the years and enlighten our world from all darkness.
May God bless your soul.
PEACE!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Somebody once said that "Images speak louder than 10,000 words".
However, the selfless act of sacrifice of Mr. Liviu Librescu, a holocaust survivor, is one that not even the infinity of words will be able to properly describe it. It is something way beyond our modest comprehensions.
Motivated by genuine altruism, Mr. Librescu taught the entire world last Monday that his love for his fellow Virginia Tech students, and why not say mankind, was above all things.
May his example live strongly throughout the years and enlighten our world from all darkness.
May God bless your soul.
PEACE!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
TROUBLED WATERS PART I – The Waters turn salty
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
There´s a river that runs
through a revolted mind.
It carries within its currents
Troubled Waters
As the years went by
it found its way to The Ocean.
Little by little it turned salty
by the haunting memories
of dark 44.
Not even the reflecting image
of the great gig in the sky
on its mirror-like surface
was able to calm it.
“One of these days, I´ll ease these
Troubled Waters
till they may rest in peace”,
The Ocean thought to itself.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
There´s a river that runs
through a revolted mind.
It carries within its currents
Troubled Waters
As the years went by
it found its way to The Ocean.
Little by little it turned salty
by the haunting memories
of dark 44.
Not even the reflecting image
of the great gig in the sky
on its mirror-like surface
was able to calm it.
“One of these days, I´ll ease these
Troubled Waters
till they may rest in peace”,
The Ocean thought to itself.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
TROUBLED WATERS PART II – The Ship
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
One day, a Giant Ship
started making high waves
across the marine immensity
as it cruised its way
through The Ocean´s vastness.
The Ship was big and almighty.
It had stature and a unique
form of navigating itself.
In the beginning The Ocean
and The Ship were capable
of living together in harmony.
But soon the peace between them
was interrupted by the
Troubled Waters
as tensions within The Ocean´s
elements increasinly grew into turmoil.
The Ship had a keen sense of musicality.
It blew soaring notes through the air
which made all the fish, whales and
other sea creatures stand in awe.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
One day, a Giant Ship
started making high waves
across the marine immensity
as it cruised its way
through The Ocean´s vastness.
The Ship was big and almighty.
It had stature and a unique
form of navigating itself.
In the beginning The Ocean
and The Ship were capable
of living together in harmony.
But soon the peace between them
was interrupted by the
Troubled Waters
as tensions within The Ocean´s
elements increasinly grew into turmoil.
The Ship had a keen sense of musicality.
It blew soaring notes through the air
which made all the fish, whales and
other sea creatures stand in awe.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
TROUBLED WATERS PART III – The Clash
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
But the river´s waters, which were once
sweet in nature, were now salty.
Lyrically, they were quite uneasy indeed,
the Troubled Waters.
They wanted full creative control
over The Ocean´s domains.
The Ocean, The Ship and The Troubled Waters,
which were once One,
now became too distant from each other
and even from their own selves.
They started to ‘wish they were there’,
instead of lost in the empty feelings
of their burdened souls.
They even missed the bright light
of their beloved moon,
which was now taken by darkness.
And so The Ship and the Troubled Waters
inevitably clashed in confrontation.
The Troubled Waters intensely tried to capsize
The Ship with its shakingly egocentric waves.
The Ship, on its turn, fought hard to keep
itself over the top of things,
and always on the surface.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
But the river´s waters, which were once
sweet in nature, were now salty.
Lyrically, they were quite uneasy indeed,
the Troubled Waters.
They wanted full creative control
over The Ocean´s domains.
The Ocean, The Ship and The Troubled Waters,
which were once One,
now became too distant from each other
and even from their own selves.
They started to ‘wish they were there’,
instead of lost in the empty feelings
of their burdened souls.
They even missed the bright light
of their beloved moon,
which was now taken by darkness.
And so The Ship and the Troubled Waters
inevitably clashed in confrontation.
The Troubled Waters intensely tried to capsize
The Ship with its shakingly egocentric waves.
The Ship, on its turn, fought hard to keep
itself over the top of things,
and always on the surface.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
TROUBLED WATERS PART IV – Isolation
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
But, about around the year of double 7,
The Ocean, The Ship and The Troubled Waters
reached the pinnacle of their joust,
as their actions and words
were as sharply pointed as medieval lances.
Actually, they fought more like wild Animals.
All and all, their battle of intolerance raged on.
Little by little and bit by bit,
all of them changed their resentments
into personal grievances against each other.
These bleak sentiments were the underlying foundations
of future events yet to be unfolded.
Meanwhile, the fighting gave way to isolation.
As a giant emotional rampart was built
within The Ocean´s medium,
segregating The Ship from The Troubled Waters.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
But, about around the year of double 7,
The Ocean, The Ship and The Troubled Waters
reached the pinnacle of their joust,
as their actions and words
were as sharply pointed as medieval lances.
Actually, they fought more like wild Animals.
All and all, their battle of intolerance raged on.
Little by little and bit by bit,
all of them changed their resentments
into personal grievances against each other.
These bleak sentiments were the underlying foundations
of future events yet to be unfolded.
Meanwhile, the fighting gave way to isolation.
As a giant emotional rampart was built
within The Ocean´s medium,
segregating The Ship from The Troubled Waters.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
BLUE MONDAY
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The alarm clock rings.
A damn new week is born today.
The view out the window
depicts stale shades of gray.
Just more of that same old...
No birds in the sky.
No cars in the street.
No children at play.
Sounds like Blue Monday.
The only appealing view
is that of those warm wrinkled sheets
lying on that languid bed.
Breakfast is so insipid
it´s hard to swallow.
It isn´t sweet or sour.
Tastes like Blue Monday.
There´s plenty of dull time to kill today.
Feels like an entire day fits in an hour.
The reticent man makes
his way out the door.
His steps are dead heavy
even for the concrete floor.
Walks past faceless pedestrians.
They all appear the same in their shity mood.
Looks like Blue Monday.
The air is so cold it pierces through his garments.
He starts wondering what it would´ve been like
had he stayed under those warm cozy sheets.
“Heavenly Bliss!”, he reasons.
But no. He´s out on the freezing streets
and shivering to very tips of his toes.
Feels like Blue Monday.
Don´t think you´d want to know what
Blue Monday smells like...
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
The alarm clock rings.
A damn new week is born today.
The view out the window
depicts stale shades of gray.
Just more of that same old...
No birds in the sky.
No cars in the street.
No children at play.
Sounds like Blue Monday.
The only appealing view
is that of those warm wrinkled sheets
lying on that languid bed.
Breakfast is so insipid
it´s hard to swallow.
It isn´t sweet or sour.
Tastes like Blue Monday.
There´s plenty of dull time to kill today.
Feels like an entire day fits in an hour.
The reticent man makes
his way out the door.
His steps are dead heavy
even for the concrete floor.
Walks past faceless pedestrians.
They all appear the same in their shity mood.
Looks like Blue Monday.
The air is so cold it pierces through his garments.
He starts wondering what it would´ve been like
had he stayed under those warm cozy sheets.
“Heavenly Bliss!”, he reasons.
But no. He´s out on the freezing streets
and shivering to very tips of his toes.
Feels like Blue Monday.
Don´t think you´d want to know what
Blue Monday smells like...
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Monday, 16 April 2007
FENDER BLACKIE
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
FENDER BLACKIE...
THE LEGEND.
THE MYTH.
THE IMMORTAL.
THE GUITAR.
I LOVE YOU.
THE VERY WAY YOU ARE.
WHEN YOU WEEP.
WHEN YOU CRY.
WHEN YOU BURN.
I HAVE ONE OF MY TURNS.
WHETHER IT´S THE ROCK
OR SIMPLY THE BLUES,
I WANT YOU TO KNOW
I´M TRULY FOND OF YOU.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
FENDER BLACKIE...
THE LEGEND.
THE MYTH.
THE IMMORTAL.
THE GUITAR.
I LOVE YOU.
THE VERY WAY YOU ARE.
WHEN YOU WEEP.
WHEN YOU CRY.
WHEN YOU BURN.
I HAVE ONE OF MY TURNS.
WHETHER IT´S THE ROCK
OR SIMPLY THE BLUES,
I WANT YOU TO KNOW
I´M TRULY FOND OF YOU.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Friday, 6 April 2007
FERNANDO´S HANDY GUIDE TO IMPROVING YOUR WRITING SKILLS IN 08 SIMPLE STEPS:
BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
1) Trust you intuition...
Most of the greatest poetry ever written relied on one´s ability in focusing feeling and passion, elements which all of us, human beings, have got plenty of.
2) Set the mood...Set the scope.
How are you feeling about a determined subject you are writing about? Whether it is anger, wrath, fear, desperation, love, redemption, bliss, or comfort, it is very important to set the mood. This will certainly influence the way you develop your text. In addition to this, set a scope of what exactly you want to put down on paper. This will be your “spinal chord”, your main highway to help you keep your thoughts on track.
3) Start drafting your ideas on paper...
You don´t necessarily have to get your poem ready and sharp on the first shot! No way, Jose! Scribbling is an adorable exercise! It´s an excellent opportunity to let your IDEAS FLOW!!!
4) Have a Thesaurus and a Dictionary at hand...
For synonyms and antonyms and meanings, respectively. It helps alot!
5) Proofread...
Read your writings over and over to check for mistakes, typo´s, incoherences, spelling, etc...
6) Let a trusted friend/colleague read your "final draft"...
Invite a friend/colleague you trust to read your final draft. Ask him to make his honest remarks about it. Be ready for his/her criticism, whether it might be positive or negative. No matter what the outcome, don´t take it personal!!! Your friends are honest and will always express their beliefs accordingly (if they´re really you´re friends and if their intentions are good).
7) READ, READ, and READ...
The fabric of good writing is the result of a solid and vast repertoire! Mastering various styles and techniques is only achieved with in-depth research. Read different styles and different authors! Variety is essential!!! So is consistency!!!
8) DON´T GIVE UP...
If you cherish writing, keep on writing. As hard as it may be. Try to do it on a daily basis! Even if you´re not really inspired! Good writers are those who can write great pieces at any time!
GOOD LUCK!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
1) Trust you intuition...
Most of the greatest poetry ever written relied on one´s ability in focusing feeling and passion, elements which all of us, human beings, have got plenty of.
2) Set the mood...Set the scope.
How are you feeling about a determined subject you are writing about? Whether it is anger, wrath, fear, desperation, love, redemption, bliss, or comfort, it is very important to set the mood. This will certainly influence the way you develop your text. In addition to this, set a scope of what exactly you want to put down on paper. This will be your “spinal chord”, your main highway to help you keep your thoughts on track.
3) Start drafting your ideas on paper...
You don´t necessarily have to get your poem ready and sharp on the first shot! No way, Jose! Scribbling is an adorable exercise! It´s an excellent opportunity to let your IDEAS FLOW!!!
4) Have a Thesaurus and a Dictionary at hand...
For synonyms and antonyms and meanings, respectively. It helps alot!
5) Proofread...
Read your writings over and over to check for mistakes, typo´s, incoherences, spelling, etc...
6) Let a trusted friend/colleague read your "final draft"...
Invite a friend/colleague you trust to read your final draft. Ask him to make his honest remarks about it. Be ready for his/her criticism, whether it might be positive or negative. No matter what the outcome, don´t take it personal!!! Your friends are honest and will always express their beliefs accordingly (if they´re really you´re friends and if their intentions are good).
7) READ, READ, and READ...
The fabric of good writing is the result of a solid and vast repertoire! Mastering various styles and techniques is only achieved with in-depth research. Read different styles and different authors! Variety is essential!!! So is consistency!!!
8) DON´T GIVE UP...
If you cherish writing, keep on writing. As hard as it may be. Try to do it on a daily basis! Even if you´re not really inspired! Good writers are those who can write great pieces at any time!
GOOD LUCK!!!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
NUMBERS & SEASONS
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Life is simple:
9 months to be born
18 springs to drive a car
4 winters to gain a degree
60 summers to fall in love
1 autumn to downfall
You can understand it all
with Numbers & Seasons
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Life is simple:
9 months to be born
18 springs to drive a car
4 winters to gain a degree
60 summers to fall in love
1 autumn to downfall
You can understand it all
with Numbers & Seasons
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
ADVERBIAL ADVENTURE - Part I
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Synapses nervously junctioning the right to the left
gradually modifying my complex behavioral conduct.
Uniterruptedly, it kept on going night after night
shaping me into a sanctimoniously re-arranged product.
Curiously, I once used to be very earnest in nature
but such state of being stayed way back in a longly distant past.
Now I´m not resiliant enough to withstand the future´s test.
It was just too high a price for me, a soulfully sensitive outcast.
For my actions were subject to adverbial modification
in the spheres of time, condition and place.
Existencialist reflexions have been irrevocably silenced in the subconscious space.
Quickly signaling my solemn unavoidable departure
towards a distant, blatantly obscure rapture.
Nothing´s left to fill the void, but countless words in this stale phrase.
Where I, the mindless subject, am now lost in my own pseudo-thoughts.
I am vigorously trapped in the misleading thread of this narrative´s senseless plot.
Apathy mercilessly strikes me!
I now miss the initial activity alot!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Synapses nervously junctioning the right to the left
gradually modifying my complex behavioral conduct.
Uniterruptedly, it kept on going night after night
shaping me into a sanctimoniously re-arranged product.
Curiously, I once used to be very earnest in nature
but such state of being stayed way back in a longly distant past.
Now I´m not resiliant enough to withstand the future´s test.
It was just too high a price for me, a soulfully sensitive outcast.
For my actions were subject to adverbial modification
in the spheres of time, condition and place.
Existencialist reflexions have been irrevocably silenced in the subconscious space.
Quickly signaling my solemn unavoidable departure
towards a distant, blatantly obscure rapture.
Nothing´s left to fill the void, but countless words in this stale phrase.
Where I, the mindless subject, am now lost in my own pseudo-thoughts.
I am vigorously trapped in the misleading thread of this narrative´s senseless plot.
Apathy mercilessly strikes me!
I now miss the initial activity alot!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
ADVERBIAL ADVENTURE - Part II
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Synapses suddenly revert, from the wrong to the right
and more and more they add verbs
the linking and the action ones.
Please let them be free now of those jeopardizing modifiers
because, you know, they do inflict upon my actions
and I, the subject, am the one who´s being terrifyingly penalised!
Let me have a permanent pause, from this adverbial adventure.
Let me shift from clause to sentece.
Let me be wholly again.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Synapses suddenly revert, from the wrong to the right
and more and more they add verbs
the linking and the action ones.
Please let them be free now of those jeopardizing modifiers
because, you know, they do inflict upon my actions
and I, the subject, am the one who´s being terrifyingly penalised!
Let me have a permanent pause, from this adverbial adventure.
Let me shift from clause to sentece.
Let me be wholly again.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Thursday, 29 March 2007
THE LONG STRETCH
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
When the voice in my head is loud and clear.
Telling me that to fantasy I must adhere.
How really detached from myself can I get?
Am I really in need for such a long stretch?
Haven´t my expectations been properly met?
No, not yet.
Telling me that to fantasy I must adhere.
How really detached from myself can I get?
Am I really in need for such a long stretch?
Haven´t my expectations been properly met?
No, not yet.
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
"Anyway, who is Fernando?"
Who is Fernando, if not the personification of the juxtaposition of redemptional bliss and comfortable numbness in superlative form? Or perhaps a mere human contradiction deprived of any pretentiously metaphoric interpretation; just the plain old “Black on White” assumption? Some may say he´s an existencialist figment which is the fruit of a conflicted imagination metaphysically transgressing the boundaries of any pre-meditated context. An abstract concept waiting to be born? Could be. Still others might argue he´s the living result of his deepest and most personal thoughts and feelings revolting inside his mind. A case of thoughts over mind... Shouldn´t the mind control thought? Is this reasonable? Nevertheless, let us not forget that catharsis takes place whenever he escapes his chaotic affairs - so typical of these modern days - and finds redemption in his private intellectual sanctuary. The ebullition of indulgence! Well, what about the embracing lethargic sensation he achieves after leaving all the excruciating anguish behind? That which leads him to a state of mind where absolutely no mundane issues can bother him anymore? Has anyone ever considered that? How close do you have to get to fully understand?
A short essay by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
A short essay by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
ROGER WATERS DARK SIDE OF THE MOON TOUR
SATURDAY, MARCH 24th, 2007 – São Paulo, Morumbi Stadium. 45.000 fans were present at the venue to watch Pink Floyd´s former lyricist and bass player perform his second show of the “Dark Side Of The Moon” 2007 Tour in Brazil. By: Fernando de Mello Pimentel.
An apprehensive crowd of Pink Floyd fans gathered in São Paulo to watch Roger Waters´ second show in brazilian soil. Groups of fans could be spotted around the premises of Morumbi Stadium as early as 6 pm that night, for a concert which was scheduled to start at 9 pm. An interesting stage was set, depicting an old vintage radio set, a bottle of scotch and a pack of cigarettes. Minutes before the concert started, a film was projected on a wide screen which was set on the back part of the stage where a big hand – supposedly Waters´- started switching the radio´s tuner searching for different music stations. The hand also interacted with the bottle of whiskey and the cigarettes. The crowd responded quite enthusiastically to such gimmick.
In respect to his own british punctuality, Waters started sharply at 9 pm with the disturbing “In The Flesh?” which was soon followed by “Mother” , both of which are highly regarded tracks from Pink Floyd´s 1979 “THE WALL”. The first set of the night´s concert was an assorted collection of songs ranging from different periods of the artist´s career with Pink Floyd and solo. One of the many high points of the show took place during the song “Sheep” - the only song from the album “ANIMALS” to be presented that night – when the iconic giant inflatable Pig surprised all of the present fans with a lap around the stadium. Prostest phrases and anti-imperialistic slogans covered the porcine-shaped balloon. At the end of the lap, the Pig was released from its cable as thousands of delirious fans applauded and shouted in sign of approval.
Roger Waters concluded the first set-list by inviting the audience for a 15 minute break prior to the execution of the complete “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON”.
The second part of the show commenced with an energetic performance of the anthologic “Dark Side Of The Moon”. State-of-the-art renderings of all of the classic tracks were delivered in high cristaline sound, and were sung along by fanatic hordes deployed through-out the stadium. Nearly 34 years after its ground breaking release in the early 70´s, the classic rock album still resonates relevance not only among its long-time die-hard base of followers, but it is also highly appealing to an entire new legion of fans from descending generations. With a remarkable exploitation of universal themes such as “Time”, “Money” “Clash of the classes” and “Insanity”, the record withstood the test of time to become a milestone in music history. Its powerful concept underlies the most essencial elements of common modern human life. “Dark Side Of The Moon” is also very rich because it expresses these concerns with no pretentious approach. It is a masterpiece designed to offer its listeners an intense musical experience open for subjective interpretation.
After the completion of the “DSTM” set, the band left the stage only to return after the boisterous crowd cried out for more songs. The band then returned on stage to deliver blistering performances of the anthemic “Another Brick In The Wall – Part II”, which had the participation of members from the “Projeto Guri” choir – a non governmental organization devoted for cultural development, and “Comfortably Numb”. Both songs were sung with cathartic intensity as the concert came to a conclusion.
An apprehensive crowd of Pink Floyd fans gathered in São Paulo to watch Roger Waters´ second show in brazilian soil. Groups of fans could be spotted around the premises of Morumbi Stadium as early as 6 pm that night, for a concert which was scheduled to start at 9 pm. An interesting stage was set, depicting an old vintage radio set, a bottle of scotch and a pack of cigarettes. Minutes before the concert started, a film was projected on a wide screen which was set on the back part of the stage where a big hand – supposedly Waters´- started switching the radio´s tuner searching for different music stations. The hand also interacted with the bottle of whiskey and the cigarettes. The crowd responded quite enthusiastically to such gimmick.
In respect to his own british punctuality, Waters started sharply at 9 pm with the disturbing “In The Flesh?” which was soon followed by “Mother” , both of which are highly regarded tracks from Pink Floyd´s 1979 “THE WALL”. The first set of the night´s concert was an assorted collection of songs ranging from different periods of the artist´s career with Pink Floyd and solo. One of the many high points of the show took place during the song “Sheep” - the only song from the album “ANIMALS” to be presented that night – when the iconic giant inflatable Pig surprised all of the present fans with a lap around the stadium. Prostest phrases and anti-imperialistic slogans covered the porcine-shaped balloon. At the end of the lap, the Pig was released from its cable as thousands of delirious fans applauded and shouted in sign of approval.
Roger Waters concluded the first set-list by inviting the audience for a 15 minute break prior to the execution of the complete “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON”.
The second part of the show commenced with an energetic performance of the anthologic “Dark Side Of The Moon”. State-of-the-art renderings of all of the classic tracks were delivered in high cristaline sound, and were sung along by fanatic hordes deployed through-out the stadium. Nearly 34 years after its ground breaking release in the early 70´s, the classic rock album still resonates relevance not only among its long-time die-hard base of followers, but it is also highly appealing to an entire new legion of fans from descending generations. With a remarkable exploitation of universal themes such as “Time”, “Money” “Clash of the classes” and “Insanity”, the record withstood the test of time to become a milestone in music history. Its powerful concept underlies the most essencial elements of common modern human life. “Dark Side Of The Moon” is also very rich because it expresses these concerns with no pretentious approach. It is a masterpiece designed to offer its listeners an intense musical experience open for subjective interpretation.
After the completion of the “DSTM” set, the band left the stage only to return after the boisterous crowd cried out for more songs. The band then returned on stage to deliver blistering performances of the anthemic “Another Brick In The Wall – Part II”, which had the participation of members from the “Projeto Guri” choir – a non governmental organization devoted for cultural development, and “Comfortably Numb”. Both songs were sung with cathartic intensity as the concert came to a conclusion.
Friday, 23 March 2007
A POEM FOR ROBERTA
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
"There´s something about your eyes, your hair that makes me wanna dream...
There´s something about your skin, your lips that makes me burn in steam...
However things may turn-out to be, I just know that you´re "one-of-a-kind"...
That´s why, baby, I keep you tight day and night, sun or rain, on the heart of my mind."
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
"There´s something about your eyes, your hair that makes me wanna dream...
There´s something about your skin, your lips that makes me burn in steam...
However things may turn-out to be, I just know that you´re "one-of-a-kind"...
That´s why, baby, I keep you tight day and night, sun or rain, on the heart of my mind."
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
TEXAN DUMMY
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
In the Oval Office sits a Texan dummy.
Who wages war with the Nation´s money.
Guns, Tanks, and Tomahawks...
He´s never heard of Peace talks.
He fooled the world with a phony election.
Planned by white conservative burocrats.
Al Gore´s loss pissed off the democrats!
The White House was taken by republican rats.
A year later, there was a terrorist attack.
It struck America on its capitalist pride.
Hit by 2 Jets, The Twin Towers collapsed.
America which was once a safe bet,
was now vulnerable to foreign threat.
He quickly took advantage of the nation´s fears,
as Americans broke down in a sea of tears.
We gotta get a scape-goat right away!!!
Bin-Laden or Saddam Hussein?
I don´t care! One of them has got to pay!
In a clearly desperate post-9/11 reaction...
He ordered his troops into Afghanistan...
His goals were to eliminate Bin Laden and The Taliban...
and also secure his 2004 re-election.
Turns out this mission became quite complicated.
The enemy hid in mountains and caves - their own territory!
Casualties were more and more frequent, as ambushes escalated.
Deja Vu? Looks much like the Vietnam War story!
Nevertheless, America´s campaign continued its bloodshed...
Months passed by, and still no sign of Bin-Laden!
Frustrated troops kept killing other rag-heads instead.
Bush was pretty astonished: “How come he´s not dead?!?”
Public Opinion wanted results, that Bush couldn´t deliver...
That´s when Rumsfeld came up with a brilliant idea!
I am pretty sure Saddam has Weapons of Mass Destruction...
I´ll have Kofi send his crew to Iraq for a detailed inspection!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
In the Oval Office sits a Texan dummy.
Who wages war with the Nation´s money.
Guns, Tanks, and Tomahawks...
He´s never heard of Peace talks.
He fooled the world with a phony election.
Planned by white conservative burocrats.
Al Gore´s loss pissed off the democrats!
The White House was taken by republican rats.
A year later, there was a terrorist attack.
It struck America on its capitalist pride.
Hit by 2 Jets, The Twin Towers collapsed.
America which was once a safe bet,
was now vulnerable to foreign threat.
He quickly took advantage of the nation´s fears,
as Americans broke down in a sea of tears.
We gotta get a scape-goat right away!!!
Bin-Laden or Saddam Hussein?
I don´t care! One of them has got to pay!
In a clearly desperate post-9/11 reaction...
He ordered his troops into Afghanistan...
His goals were to eliminate Bin Laden and The Taliban...
and also secure his 2004 re-election.
Turns out this mission became quite complicated.
The enemy hid in mountains and caves - their own territory!
Casualties were more and more frequent, as ambushes escalated.
Deja Vu? Looks much like the Vietnam War story!
Nevertheless, America´s campaign continued its bloodshed...
Months passed by, and still no sign of Bin-Laden!
Frustrated troops kept killing other rag-heads instead.
Bush was pretty astonished: “How come he´s not dead?!?”
Public Opinion wanted results, that Bush couldn´t deliver...
That´s when Rumsfeld came up with a brilliant idea!
I am pretty sure Saddam has Weapons of Mass Destruction...
I´ll have Kofi send his crew to Iraq for a detailed inspection!
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
THE UNINVITED
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
The Royals gathered for a bounteous feast.
In a ceremony held for just a privileged few.
Myriads of subjects were uninvited, indeed.
Hundreads of thousands of them at least.
Not being invited meant they despised you.
Those disregarded felt deeply unpleased.
Peasants, derelicts, beggars... Only the poor!
As the awful news spread from door-to-door.
A rally was held on the outskirts of town.
The outcasts claimed they had no representation.
And therefore agreed to overthrow the crown.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity for our nation!
Our current system´s unfair! We´ll turn it upside-down!
We oppose a regime that treats its people like clowns.
“We won´t take it no more!”, yelled the boisterous mob.
Let´s head to the castle, and get on with the job.
Back at the palace, guards kept view of the distance.
All of a sudden they spotted a massive commotion.
They´re heading our way. Let´s arm a resistance!
Their voices, now audible, pulsed in full-throttle motion.
The obstinate crowd was getting nearer and nearer.
They were just a few meters from the castle´s moat.
They´ll never get in. Bridge is up, and there´s no boat.
The crowd split-up: a part to the front, another to the rear.
Guards were confused with such unexpected maneuver.
We better tell the king about what´s happening out here.
Or maybe not? This might put the court in panic, I fear.
As guards debated, gates were torn down by the movers.
The famished hordes now trampled down the bleak castle halls.
They were nearly smothered by narrowing claustrophobic walls.
The banquet´s deliciously flavored aroma lured the drooling crowd.
It led them to a chamber where the nobles were fooling around.
The masses and nobles clashed at first. But soon hell broke loose!
Once the fighting began, it was really hard telling who was who.
Screaming was heard all through the castle, as throats were slit.
Outnumbered, the wealthy begged their executioners for truce.
Nevertheless, the slaying continued mercilessly.
When the last aristocrat collapsed, the mass exploded euphorically.
The ruthless nobles were extinguished at last. So were the ‘uninvited’.
For the welfare of the people, such label was permanently abolished.
As the nation´s wealth was re-distributed equally.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
The Royals gathered for a bounteous feast.
In a ceremony held for just a privileged few.
Myriads of subjects were uninvited, indeed.
Hundreads of thousands of them at least.
Not being invited meant they despised you.
Those disregarded felt deeply unpleased.
Peasants, derelicts, beggars... Only the poor!
As the awful news spread from door-to-door.
A rally was held on the outskirts of town.
The outcasts claimed they had no representation.
And therefore agreed to overthrow the crown.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity for our nation!
Our current system´s unfair! We´ll turn it upside-down!
We oppose a regime that treats its people like clowns.
“We won´t take it no more!”, yelled the boisterous mob.
Let´s head to the castle, and get on with the job.
Back at the palace, guards kept view of the distance.
All of a sudden they spotted a massive commotion.
They´re heading our way. Let´s arm a resistance!
Their voices, now audible, pulsed in full-throttle motion.
The obstinate crowd was getting nearer and nearer.
They were just a few meters from the castle´s moat.
They´ll never get in. Bridge is up, and there´s no boat.
The crowd split-up: a part to the front, another to the rear.
Guards were confused with such unexpected maneuver.
We better tell the king about what´s happening out here.
Or maybe not? This might put the court in panic, I fear.
As guards debated, gates were torn down by the movers.
The famished hordes now trampled down the bleak castle halls.
They were nearly smothered by narrowing claustrophobic walls.
The banquet´s deliciously flavored aroma lured the drooling crowd.
It led them to a chamber where the nobles were fooling around.
The masses and nobles clashed at first. But soon hell broke loose!
Once the fighting began, it was really hard telling who was who.
Screaming was heard all through the castle, as throats were slit.
Outnumbered, the wealthy begged their executioners for truce.
Nevertheless, the slaying continued mercilessly.
When the last aristocrat collapsed, the mass exploded euphorically.
The ruthless nobles were extinguished at last. So were the ‘uninvited’.
For the welfare of the people, such label was permanently abolished.
As the nation´s wealth was re-distributed equally.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
SOME ARE THE "MOST"
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Some of them know, most of them don´t.
Some of them will, most of them won´t.
Some of them can, most of them can´t.
Some are for sale, most are for rent.
Some roll the dice, most carry the weight.
Some pay the price, most bargain straight.
Some get away, most are detained.
Some get high, most are restrained.
Some get lucky, most are betrayed.
Some are authentic, most are fake.
Some call the shots, most follow orders.
Some are legal, most cross the borders.
Some go to school, most are alienated.
Some are loved, most are estranged.
Some are in peace, most are tormented.
Some are “the most”, most are “nothing”.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Some of them know, most of them don´t.
Some of them will, most of them won´t.
Some of them can, most of them can´t.
Some are for sale, most are for rent.
Some roll the dice, most carry the weight.
Some pay the price, most bargain straight.
Some get away, most are detained.
Some get high, most are restrained.
Some get lucky, most are betrayed.
Some are authentic, most are fake.
Some call the shots, most follow orders.
Some are legal, most cross the borders.
Some go to school, most are alienated.
Some are loved, most are estranged.
Some are in peace, most are tormented.
Some are “the most”, most are “nothing”.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
FATHER NEGLECTS – PART I
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
No matter how old I grow, facts remain facts.
At times I wonder If one day I´ll overcome it.
I reckoned his leave, day by day, bit by bit.
Love´s the odd number he numbly subtracts.
Opinions about-face when my mood oscillates.
My mind´s in trouble. My memory obfuscates.
Hold-on awhile! The system now recollects:
“You´re the one your father neglects!”
Innocence is lost...
Anesthetized by frost...
All, at what cost?
Damn these suffocating panic attacks!
They´re the ones busting these cracks.
It´s been over a damn year now...
Turns-out I survived. Don´t ask me how...
Emotional safeguard´s violated...
Moral fiber gets dilacerated...
Was maturity really emancipated?
Or was tender infancy desecrated?
Opinions about-face when my mood oscillates.
My mind´s in trouble. My memory obfuscates.
Hold-on awhile! The system now recollects:
“You´re the one your father neglects!”
Innocence is lost...
Anesthetized by frost...
All, at what cost?
Dreams and I don´t seem to relate.
As bleak nightmares blatantly procreate.
The anguish lingers unbridledly. “Why do I procrastinate?”
My fears have coerced me into a melancholic state.
“What is there to do?” “Shall I accept this noxious fate?”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
No matter how old I grow, facts remain facts.
At times I wonder If one day I´ll overcome it.
I reckoned his leave, day by day, bit by bit.
Love´s the odd number he numbly subtracts.
Opinions about-face when my mood oscillates.
My mind´s in trouble. My memory obfuscates.
Hold-on awhile! The system now recollects:
“You´re the one your father neglects!”
Innocence is lost...
Anesthetized by frost...
All, at what cost?
Damn these suffocating panic attacks!
They´re the ones busting these cracks.
It´s been over a damn year now...
Turns-out I survived. Don´t ask me how...
Emotional safeguard´s violated...
Moral fiber gets dilacerated...
Was maturity really emancipated?
Or was tender infancy desecrated?
Opinions about-face when my mood oscillates.
My mind´s in trouble. My memory obfuscates.
Hold-on awhile! The system now recollects:
“You´re the one your father neglects!”
Innocence is lost...
Anesthetized by frost...
All, at what cost?
Dreams and I don´t seem to relate.
As bleak nightmares blatantly procreate.
The anguish lingers unbridledly. “Why do I procrastinate?”
My fears have coerced me into a melancholic state.
“What is there to do?” “Shall I accept this noxious fate?”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
MENTALLY DERANGED
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
When father left the once wholesome son.
Void assumed its dirty lugubrious role.
Memories were no longer that much fun.
They greedily charged a high burdened toll.
Alone in the dark, he submerged into his taut mind.
“Falling on your face is rough when no one´s below.”
This inside is bulk in size. Big indeed, but not my kind.
Would he remember himself how he was a year ago?
A thick somber brume shrouded his summer sun.
The fear is widespread. It came from above.
Hawks circled the sky, dead fell the dove.
Thought to himself, “Why stay? I´d rather run”.
Perhaps tommorow may never reshape. Who knows?
Nevermind, the good feeling´s gone. What´s so strange?
“Just give him more anesthetic.” That´s easy to arrange!
Apparently his condition didn´t seem to change.
Tries real hard, but he´s unable to hide his rising affliction.
It´s written all over him, from head to the tips of his toes.
Docs got sloppy. He can´t quit this compromising addiction.
What a dreadful waste! Down the drain his brain goes.
A thick somber brume shrouded his summer sun.
The fear is widespread. It came from above.
Hawks circled the sky, dead fell the dove.
Thought to himself, “Why stay? I´d rather run”.
Vital signs are gone! That´s what the machines show!
There´s not much to do. Is there room for revenge?
If father had stayed, the son would´nt have to go.
“Congratulations you loons! My son, I will avenge!”
“Easy pops! You´re the one who´s mentally deranged.”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
When father left the once wholesome son.
Void assumed its dirty lugubrious role.
Memories were no longer that much fun.
They greedily charged a high burdened toll.
Alone in the dark, he submerged into his taut mind.
“Falling on your face is rough when no one´s below.”
This inside is bulk in size. Big indeed, but not my kind.
Would he remember himself how he was a year ago?
A thick somber brume shrouded his summer sun.
The fear is widespread. It came from above.
Hawks circled the sky, dead fell the dove.
Thought to himself, “Why stay? I´d rather run”.
Perhaps tommorow may never reshape. Who knows?
Nevermind, the good feeling´s gone. What´s so strange?
“Just give him more anesthetic.” That´s easy to arrange!
Apparently his condition didn´t seem to change.
Tries real hard, but he´s unable to hide his rising affliction.
It´s written all over him, from head to the tips of his toes.
Docs got sloppy. He can´t quit this compromising addiction.
What a dreadful waste! Down the drain his brain goes.
A thick somber brume shrouded his summer sun.
The fear is widespread. It came from above.
Hawks circled the sky, dead fell the dove.
Thought to himself, “Why stay? I´d rather run”.
Vital signs are gone! That´s what the machines show!
There´s not much to do. Is there room for revenge?
If father had stayed, the son would´nt have to go.
“Congratulations you loons! My son, I will avenge!”
“Easy pops! You´re the one who´s mentally deranged.”
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
LAUGHED ELIAS FROM THE BELL TOWER
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
I got lit up on one long distant lonesome night.
There was nothing in the room, but candle light.
With no ceilings above, the stars seemed so bright.
My mind took me away, it was so out-of-sight.
All pain was expelled, for my own sweet delight.
Bliss was so warm at the verge of my height.
That for me, it wasn´t about being wrong or right.
And it was good, ´cause I had been so uptight.
I thanked Elias for the push. He understood my plight.
Then something came through, the haze lost power.
What once seemed high, was now kinda sour.
A voice then said: “Relax! It´ll all be back in about half an hour”.
“He´s floating again!”, laughed Elias from the bell-tower.
Good! Getting grounded would´ve been an absolute downer.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
I got lit up on one long distant lonesome night.
There was nothing in the room, but candle light.
With no ceilings above, the stars seemed so bright.
My mind took me away, it was so out-of-sight.
All pain was expelled, for my own sweet delight.
Bliss was so warm at the verge of my height.
That for me, it wasn´t about being wrong or right.
And it was good, ´cause I had been so uptight.
I thanked Elias for the push. He understood my plight.
Then something came through, the haze lost power.
What once seemed high, was now kinda sour.
A voice then said: “Relax! It´ll all be back in about half an hour”.
“He´s floating again!”, laughed Elias from the bell-tower.
Good! Getting grounded would´ve been an absolute downer.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
PLUMMETING DOWN
A POEM by: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
Where do I go from here?
Somewhere far away or near?
Right now, I´m on top of the hill.
Ethereally floating towards the atmosphere.
I´ve reached my prime it´s true, but still...
What an ephemeral bliss is youth!
Is this the best I will ever get to feel?
Will it all fade away in coming years?
I am afraid so, my dear!
There´s no time to waste,
´cause it´s ‘half past life’
and I´m running late.
Gotta be there by eight!
There´s no escape!
The inevitable decline
is an inexorable sign.
I´m plummeting down
to the end of the line.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
Where do I go from here?
Somewhere far away or near?
Right now, I´m on top of the hill.
Ethereally floating towards the atmosphere.
I´ve reached my prime it´s true, but still...
What an ephemeral bliss is youth!
Is this the best I will ever get to feel?
Will it all fade away in coming years?
I am afraid so, my dear!
There´s no time to waste,
´cause it´s ‘half past life’
and I´m running late.
Gotta be there by eight!
There´s no escape!
The inevitable decline
is an inexorable sign.
I´m plummeting down
to the end of the line.
All Rights Reserved - 2007 FPimentel Poems & Publishing Co.
WHITE RABBIT
"WHITE RABBIT" - from Jefferson Airplane´s 1967 debut “Surrealistic Pillow”.
Prior to joining the San Francisco based musical act "Jefferson Airplane", lead singer Grace Slick had already countlessly performed this song and contemporary hit "Somebody To Love", in her former band called "GREAT SOCIETY". Both "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love" are arguably JEFFERSON AIRPLANE´S greatest hit tracks in addition to 1969´s mega-hit "Volunteers". "Volunteers" of course, was part of FORREST GUMP´S soundtrack album particularly the part depicting the 60´s era and the U.S´s lugubrious involvement in Vietnam.
By: Fernando de Mello Pimentel
ONE OF THE MOST PSYCHADELIC SOUNDTRACKS OF ALL TIME, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE´S "WHITE RABBIT" is a 2:47 minute-long song which is mind breaking and hallucinogenous in nature.
ONE OF THE MOST PSYCHADELIC SOUNDTRACKS OF ALL TIME, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE´S "WHITE RABBIT" is a 2:47 minute-long song which is mind breaking and hallucinogenous in nature.
Originally released in 1967, in the album "SURREALISTIC PILLOW", during the height of the SUMMER OF LOVE, this song has been part of the soundtracks of renowned movies such as "PLATOON" (1986) and "FEARING AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS" (1998), usually being inserted in a drug-related context.
Whether characters on the previously mentioned movies are smoking pot or dropping acid, "White Rabbit" is highly regarded as a song which builds itself through a powerful narrative concerning the experimentation of mind-altering treats and the awkward sensations one gets as the drugs take effect. This idea is clear from the initial lines "Ones who make you larger, and Ones who make you small", which is arguably a direct association to uppers and downers, who make you feel powerful (larger) or depressed (small).
In addition to an intensive description of the side-effects provoked by drug use, the song has made a reputation among counter-culture freaks for providing junkies and hop-heads a powerful mood enhancer. Such intensity is felt as the song reaches its peak or simply when it "peaks". This part of the song has lead singer Grace Slick singing her lungs out, and thus providing listeners with an extra "helping hand" to get real high. Acid takers are infamous for always having a tape loaded with tripy tunes from the 60´s era at hand. White Rabbit, of course, is one of those tracks.
Whether characters on the previously mentioned movies are smoking pot or dropping acid, "White Rabbit" is highly regarded as a song which builds itself through a powerful narrative concerning the experimentation of mind-altering treats and the awkward sensations one gets as the drugs take effect. This idea is clear from the initial lines "Ones who make you larger, and Ones who make you small", which is arguably a direct association to uppers and downers, who make you feel powerful (larger) or depressed (small).
In addition to an intensive description of the side-effects provoked by drug use, the song has made a reputation among counter-culture freaks for providing junkies and hop-heads a powerful mood enhancer. Such intensity is felt as the song reaches its peak or simply when it "peaks". This part of the song has lead singer Grace Slick singing her lungs out, and thus providing listeners with an extra "helping hand" to get real high. Acid takers are infamous for always having a tape loaded with tripy tunes from the 60´s era at hand. White Rabbit, of course, is one of those tracks.
Prior to joining the San Francisco based musical act "Jefferson Airplane", lead singer Grace Slick had already countlessly performed this song and contemporary hit "Somebody To Love", in her former band called "GREAT SOCIETY". Both "White Rabbit" and "Somebody To Love" are arguably JEFFERSON AIRPLANE´S greatest hit tracks in addition to 1969´s mega-hit "Volunteers". "Volunteers" of course, was part of FORREST GUMP´S soundtrack album particularly the part depicting the 60´s era and the U.S´s lugubrious involvement in Vietnam.
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