The Soothsayers

The subtle art of divination
A gift lost in the mist of time
From gods that would teach lessons about how to see
A sense of clarity forgone early on in our encounters
Thus only an uncertain few walked among us
Finely attuned as they were to this external music
Responding to talking drums that others could barely perceive
The rumbling sounds most merely mistook for background noise

Underlying conditions then,
Fragments these liminal invitations
The message was always there,
Just listen, they would advise
And the messages were received
For the soothsayers paved the way

...

That the frayed threads were pulled together
For a people that only looked outwards
That a reflection was there to be seen
If only one paid attention to the stories told
Disconcerting perhaps in the light of day
They faced a better reception once night fell
But were ever mindful that tired senses would then pertain
That the textures were woven, witness the emergent fabric

Prophecy is a thankless task
Even when couched with the best intentions
For the bearer, despite themselves, implies a need for change
That still they persisted, indeed for them it was a compulsion
Caution, take heed, they said.
The soothsayers pursued their mission

Soothsayer, a playlist

A soundtrack for this note (spotify version)

• Blazing Horns by Soothsayers
• Who put you behind the wheel? by Charlie Hunter
• Journey by Soothsayers
• The Soothsayer by Wayne Shorter
• Messenger Dub by Jah Shaka
• We're not leaving by Soothsayers
• Latin for Travelers by Charlie Hunter
• Prophet's Mission by Otis Taylor
• We're not leaving dub by Soothsayers
• Messenger by Luciano
• Human Nature by Soothsayers
• Valse Triste by Wayne Shorter

File under: griots, culture, perception, sensory, poetry, toli

Writing log: June 23, 2023