I have been a huge fan of Holly Near since discovering her tapes in a womons' bookstore in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1984. I wrote to her and received permission to share the following with you. There is much more of good intent and content at her site, I would urge you to visit it, please, at www.hollynear.com. I believe some of you would be especially interested in her Art & Activism Page. Here ya go:

A PERFORMER'S PRAYER
By Holly Near

WHY AM I UP HERE
IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE?
IT IS A WILD NOTION
TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF PEOPLE

AH YES, I REMEMBER
I AM NOT HERE FOR ME
I AM NOT HERE TO PROMOTE MY EGO
I AM HERE TO SERVE THE GREAT SPIRIT
TO BE A VOICE FOR THOSE AFRAID TO SPEAK
TO BE MOVEMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE STUCK
I AM HERE TO REVEAL A MYSTERY
TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT MYSELF

I GIVE MY TALENT TO THE WIND
I GIVE MY WEAKNESS TO THE ROCKS
I GIVE MY FEAR TO THE STARS
I GIVE MY CONFIDENCE TO THE MOON
I GIVE IT ALL AWAY

SO IF I AM GREAT, IT IS NOT MY GREATNESS
IT IS THE WIND THAT WILL CELEBRATE
AND IF I AM NOT GREAT, IT IS NOT MY FAILURE
IT IS UP TO THE ROCK TO CARRY THE PAIN AND DISAPPOINTMENT

I AM A CHANNEL HERE TO DO THE WORK
TO MAKE THE DISCOVERIES
TO SHOUT THE JOY
TO CALL MY MISTAKES "TEACHER"

I AM HERE TO GIVE IT AWAY
TO THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO WATCH AND LISTEN AND FEEL
SO THAT WE WILL REMEMBER MORE THAN THE TIME OF DAY

WHY AM I UP HERE
IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE?
SO THAT THE GREAT SPIRIT MAY PAINT A PICTURE ON MY FACE

© 1997 BY HEREFORD MUSIC
Printed here by permission of Holly Near 4/16/00

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