(written above the sahara desert December 16th 2009)

at an altitude of 36000 feet
the desert is blue and
the horizon – there is no horizon -
blurs into a
pink peach tangerine tan

we might be flying upside down;
how would I know?

sand. it is immense.

it has literally moved mountains;
it carves its own.
the scales and tails of long ago rivers
ripple and stretch;
their fingers like forests fanning out
on the sea below.
the last cried tears left trails of their salty tears
that confuse and make us think:
oh, water.

only historically, it would seem.

but then. the movement of sand builds, and falls.
and the orange hills graduate
into green and blur -
could this be? are we at the edge? yes, those look like
real rivers and simple vegetation and
did I just see waves slapping at the shore?

oh. more sand.

that is its ability to conceal
in insolation its game.

now everything has turned blue.
dusk darkens the tones
and mutes them all out.

the sea of useless matter -
what, humans can’t seem to find
much economic use with it, thus it olds no value, right? -
has blurred further,
lying cold and restful in dormancy across the desert.

somewhere 1944 kilometers from Accra
there is a particular spot where
nothing distinctive takes shape.

its barrenness is unrivaled;
in the sea at least the wind plays and frolics
and foams up a shark or something.

that is a complete void -
an expanse of staleness, numbness,
a holding ground for future violent purgatories
or zen spaces
depending on the day’s heat.

then a ripple – a small one.
more sand.

December 16th 2009 5:32 pm

My favourite songs of 2009 are below. A few didn’t come out this year, but still meant a lot to me through the year.

Of course, what is not included is that the Fleet Foxes’ album and EP were the most-played, most devoured bits of music for me this year.

I think the list has a bunch of dance music on it for a reason: workouts.  I think this list lacks any indie credit for another reason: hipster backlash.  I can’t be on top of music like I used to be.  It just doesn’t seem worth it.  That said, I always appreciate good recommendations.

1. Erykah Badu – That Hump
2. Crystal Method – Slipstream (featuring Jason Lytle)
3. Tori Amos – Flavor
4. Peter Bjorn and John – Blue Period Picasso
5. Pierre Lapointe – Je reviendrai
6. Basement Jaxx – Scars (featuring Kelis)
7. Madonna – Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix)
8. Felix Da Housecat – LA Ravers
9. Bloc Party – Signs (Armand Van Helden Mix)
10. Bat for Lashes – Daniel

11. BONUS: Shakira – Why Wait