stuck

If I were trying to be poetic, I would say instead that I’m enthralled.  But stuck works—obsessed, fascinated, fixated.  I can’t get this song/video out of my head, and I can’t thank Shadra enough for posting it on Facebook earlier today.  Serendipity?  Or a sign…

Earlier this week Jenn on the Carl Brandon Society list forwarded this trailer for an interesting afrofuturism film called The Last Angel of History.  And it’s very male, but visually impressive.  This video for “Going on” speaks to me in part because of its simplicity—these look like real kids with their beautiful dark skin and natural hair; they dance, they sweat, they march purposefully through the empty streets (of Jamaica)…I recognize the landscape, I believe in this narrative.  And, of course, it makes me think of Genna and Judah and how disappointed readers may be with the conclusion of this sequel. At the end of the video, when they’ve opened the portal, it *looks* like they’re about to hold hands….but they DON’T.  Instead they crouch down like competitors in a race, and as he passes through the portal, the words “Don’t follow me” appear on screen.  But she disregards this command…

The director, Wendy Morgan, is *Canadian*!!!  Check out this interview with her, and then check out the lyrics…can’t you just hear Judah saying this sh** to Genna?

This is the start of a journey.
And my mind is already gone
And though there are other unknowns
Somehow this doesn’t concern me.

And you can stand right there if you want
But I’m going on
And I’m prepared to go it alone
I’m going on
To a place in the sun that’s nice and warm
I’m going on

And I’m sure they’ll have a place for you too

Anyone that needs what they want, and doesn’t want what they need
I want nothing to do with
And to do what I want
And to do what I please
Is first of my to-do list
But every once in a while I think about her smile
One of the few things I do miss
But baby I‘ve to go
Baby I’ve got to know
Baby I’ve got to prove it

And I’ll see you when you get there
But I’m going on
And I’m prepared to go it alone
I’m going on
May my love lift you up to the place you belong
I’m going on
And I promise I’ll be waiting for you…

Morgan also directed Janelle Monae’s video for “Tightrope,” which I listen to endlessly…getting ready to write usually means turning inward—away from the world, the noise, the distractions.  But I realize how closed I’ve become lately…no new music, no art, no adventures.  Sometimes you have to open up AND shut down—if you know what I mean…