Fire Down Below: Issa's Sunday Service, #56

Today's text for the Sunday Service comes courtesy of Issa favorite Nick Cave, with a nod to Malachi, from the fantastic collection of sea shanties entitled Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys. Even if only have a vague interest in traditional folk music, you are bound to find something intriguing here. This collection in general, and this cut in particular, is not for the faint at heart (nor for those easily offended by foul language and lewd behavior). Now that I've got your attention I do hope you enjoy foul language and lewd behavior nearly as much as me.

One can hardly think about a song entitled "Fire Down Below" without conjuring up the Motor City's esteemed son, Bob Seger, so for those of you who thunk this is what you were getting when you headed this way, here it is:




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This week's poem comes from issue #82, August 1996 - click the issue number for 7 more poems from same, which came out originally in August 1996,

Working with Wood

That old carving
I thought I was
looking for, that
I have sought
out in museums
and shops, has
turned out to be
this life.

James Tipton

seaside temple--
among the wood chips
irises

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue

best,
Don