Revolution on Canvas, Volume 2: Poetry from the Indie Music Scene

Whenever I sit down to write for the day, I look for something to inspire me. Most often that something is music. Revolution On Canvas, Volume 2 is true inspiration. The book is two hundred and twenty-five pages of poetry and essays written by musicians. The introduction by Rich Balling sets the tone for the whole collection. He brings an artist's eye to his selections where others might insist on perfection. But what truly is perfection? Is it a red pen marking all the creativity out of a piece or is it words, thoughts, visions strung together in a palette of colors? I was struck by how honest the pieces were in this book. Justin Pierre's essay, "Annalisa," strips away all pretense of traditional perfection within the subject of addiction and how we sometimes take those around us for granted. Rebekah Jordan allows the reader a close up look at how her love of music began in the demise of her parents' marriage. Both pieces by Meg Frampton and Dia Frampton give different views of sickness: the one who is sick and the one who watches. It is a beautiful tribute to relationships. While it is hard to say what was my favorite - all of the pieces were rich and well worth my time - one essay stands out most. Elgin James' essay brings home that civil rights is personal, not just stories from the past to be remembered. You hear how an eight-year-old boy in Torrington, Connecticut struggled to get home from school each day, who would rather be sick than face each afternoon. Elgin endures the torture of one self-professed KKK member as he strives to make sense of the situation and find courage from within. It shows the transformation of a young boy into a young man too early in life. This piece is truly inspiring and eye-opening. As the title suggests, Revolution On Canvas, Volume 2 is no picnic in the park, but a gut churning experience.