Lyrics and Music Composition: JD Rudometkin
Produced by JD Rudometkin
Mix and Mastering: JD Rudometkin
Lead Vocals, Instrumentation: JD Rudometkin
Back up choir: Tim Chinnock
Cover Photo: Mikial Tolmosoff

THE BEAST LAID DOWN Lyrics

At the crossroad
With your hand in mine
The forbidden fruit
We crossed the line

And the blackbird flew
The serpent grew
And I closed my eyes
I closed my eyes

And when you whisper my name
I do not choose
My flower blooms
My flower blooms

And the wind did howl
The world shook
And the earth was soft
Where my body took you

And the animal crosses
The animal cried
And the beast laid down
Beside me.

And we let you crack
We saw you spin
And I heard you whisper
And I let you in

And you rent the veil
Your fingernails
In the flashing lights
And the neon signs

And the animal crosses
The animal cried
And the beast laid down
The beast laid down

And the blackbird flew
The serpent grew
And I closed my eyes
I closed my eyes

And when you whisper my name
I do not choose
My flower blooms
My flower blooms

SOLD corridor /ˈkôrəˌdôr/ oil on canvass 48"x30" (121.92 x 76.2cm) $2100 US + shipping
(c) JD Rudometkin 2021. Contact artist regarding this piece, or for commissioned artwork.

See the child

There is a longing in the heart to be known. To be heard and understood. We are often not given the chance to speak. Or, perhaps we have not been asked a question, and then been granted the necessary time and space to respond. But its not too late. It is possible to reconnect with the child and listen with care and quiet attention.

THE RITUAL: (*)

 1. Each morning during the month of March, set up two chairs facing each other in a quiet place. Sit down in one of the chairs, and close your eyes. Now see yourself as a small child of perhaps 4 or 5 years of age, seated in the other chair, facing you.

 2. Gently and with all kindness audibly or silently ask the child,

“Is there something you would like to tell me?”

3. And now wait quietly. Observe with care. And listen to what the child says. You may get a response the first day, or the first week. And you may not get a response until the end of the month. But sooner or later, the child will speak. Be patient. Just listen. That’s all you need to do.

We can learn to trust ourselves again and adjust our course as needed, by keeping simple, consistent rituals. In former times, we have looked outside ourselves, blamed others, and sought truth, externally. Today, we reclaim our way. We sit in quiet communion and reset our minds.

Why?

• To create a sense of stability in what appears to be an unstable world.

• To shift thought/behavior patterns.

• To enter communion (let's do this ritual together). In communion we find meaning.
  
  * If you wish to share your experience with this ritual for the benefit of our community, please do so at anytime in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

In order to fully experience the conversation below, you are encouraged to watch the video “Black Dove” at the bottom of this category.

Step Jayne is JD Rudometkin's music project. Over the past 5 years, he has released the album SILVER BULLET SUICIDE, one track at a time with an accompanying video. For the first 10 months of 2021, each track and relevant (and at times irrelevant) thematic content will be explored in interviews with various co-hosts including: Psychiatrists, Artists/Musicians, Professors, the Salt of the Earth, and Art Curators.

In this issue, musician and videographer DEVON WHITAKER  and JD discuss the album's third track, "Black Dove." We recommend watching this music video (BELOW) in preparation for the conversation (ABOVE). To discover more about Devon Whitaker, visit: www.instagram.com/boyindigo.music

RAG OF SNOW

 When you walk out into the wilderness alone it is because you have been called here. In this place of openness and solitude the body begins to unwind. You have been bound up in knots and twisted plots, arguing with yourself and others about righteous and unrighteous acts of violence. That’s OK. There is a season for sowing seeds of dissent. But now it’s time to let that go.

 Come out into the wilderness. Let us sit face to face in the morning sun. Take my hands here and I will take your hands in mine as we look upon one another with gentleness and concern. There is no rigor here. There is no war. No peace to fight for—no plot.

There is no cross or crossroad. And no burden to bare.

See the child.
Rag of snow. Blood stain.
Wash cloth.

There is a time to learn how to love again. This is that time.

And when that demon called Rage comes back around in one of its many guises
Do not be fooled.
Know that you are not alone.
I am with you,
Be not afraid.

 Take 40 days. Set aside 4 minutes of your precious time. It may be that you and I will spend 40 years wandering in the arid wilderness: And then we will know a depth in the reservoir of forgiveness. Do this for yourself. For your children’s children. Do this for the stranger, wandering within your gates.

(c) JD Rudometkin 2021

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