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Music and Poetry
‘LOST’
A writing prompt and workshop
(This blog post is not behind the paywall, so go for it)
It is inspired by John Coltrane’s pianist, the late, great Tommy Flanagan on Trane’s album Giant Steps.
Coltrane is debuting as a leader on the album; hence the name Giant Steps.
The title tune (“Giant Steps”) is a monster of a tune. After Coltrane’s thematic intro and then his rip roaring solo, Flanagan gets his chance to solo on piano. (At 2:55 in the tune, Tommy takes off into the unknown)
He does fine but then at the end, if you listen close, Tommy Flanagan gets lost. It nothing to be ashamed of; Coltrane could do that to many a musician. Tommy is still a legend, one of the best.
But now here goes:
Pretend you are Tommy or imagine you are Tommy.
Think of a time you were lost. How did you feel? Why were you lost? Who caused you or what caused you to be lost? What is the meaning of lost to you in this prompt? Think deeply about lost in your own way and write something. Poetry. Vignette. Anything.
Oh, and here is the recording at this LINK and below.
Do this one for Tommy Flanagan —
Post it on your Medium or in my comments. Don’t be lost anymore. Let us find you.
Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) International Poetry Newsletter ( IPNL)
