I found out through my poem of the day (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/42351/houdini-56d220d864091) that today is Escapology Day! The poem Houdini by Kay Ryan cleverly describes how Houdini would deceive people through escapology:
“Each escape
involved some art,
some hokum, and
at least a brief
incomprehensible
exchange between
the man and metal
during which the
chains were not
so much broken
as he and they
blended. At the
end of each such
mix he had to
extract himself”.
It made me think of all the ways we can escape in today’s society, or in more general terms, take some time out to relax and completely absorb ourselves in an activity. When thinking about everything I do — music, poetry, writing — I realised that perhaps my favourite ‘escapologist’, if you like, is Jimi Hendrix. Here is why:
This is a love letter he wrote to his “Little Girl”, an affectionate term he used for his girlfriend at that time:
“little girl…..
happiness is within you….so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow —
like the sweet flower you are…..
I know the answer —
Just spread your wings and set yourself
Free
Love to you forever.”
For me, it is a beautiful love letter and poem. I also listen to a lot of Jimi Hendrix’s music when I need to escape the stresses of life and always come back to his quote that ‘Music is my religion’.
To end, I’ll leave you with my favourite Jimi Hendrix quote:
‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace’.
For more quotes, this is a great website: https://www.azquotes.com/author/6560-Jimi_Hendrix
And on a cheekier note, his playful side:
“Excuse me while I kiss the sky”.
Until my next poem, I’ll be chilling in a purple haze,
Frankie M.
