Jerry,

I love your "Uncle Willie's In the Sheets Again" poem/song.

****

I understand what you mean about being in a receptive frame of mind so that you can receive songs or other thoughts from inside [or outside] of one self.

Another way that I've read about this is being in a state of 'expectant readiness'. I sometimes think of expectant readiness as 'gettin ready for the function at the junction'.

That means working and studying while we are alert to the Muse that will visit-often when we least expect it.

****

In the late 1960s, I was a member of an African cultural group that was headed by Amiri Baraka {LeRoi Jones}. Given Amiri Baraka's noted artistic accomplishments, it is not surprising that members of that group were encouraged to write & recite poetry.

Prior to recitation for the group or for the general public, it was the standard custom for us to say "All praises be to God and all the mistakes are mine."

I still say this.


Azizi