05/08/2026
Sonatas X
Pieces of the Present Abide - The Life of the River
(East Branch Rock River Wisconsin)
Words by Brendan and Khaetidawne Quirk
Introduction
The paradigms and syntagms of life
Simple concepts dressed in fancy words
Paradigms describe the choices made at each point
Syntagms lay out the timeline of life.
Life, existence, can be seen as an eternal string
All points exist at once, though we see only our part
At each point in our path, we are but a piece
Of the entire journey, part of the whole.
We are born, age, and die - Nothing new here
But look from the outside! You may see
A whole life at once! You can see the beginning and the end
All together – laid out for all to see!
Now, The River! A metaphor for our syntagmatic life
It is also born, matures, grows old, dies.
Maybe a rebirth is possible, a new life?
But it all exists simultaneously - just see!
Sonatas X-1 (Nascita - Adagio)
My life springs here, and everywhere about
Coming up from the ground, gathering together
Each source small and inconspicuous
Renewing itself continuously.
http://brendanquirk.com/15209.html
(Silver gelatin print from B/W negative film)
