LEARN LESS
Ode #23 - (Trans)Scribed Poetic Dictation, Lesser Ode
[I think the more amusing complement to this 23rd Ode is #44 - IGNORE MORE; “attend less”! as the missive says. Attend to less. So much of what has been percolating about me is “less, less” — like neti, neti. It is different from merely less. It is more like better. Be aware of less to be more aware. I am in a large transition right now with my debut collection. I have decided to distill the 33 down to ~21. I already have a tentative list. Consciously whittling away to reveal what is hidden underneath. Something that is no longer above the page limits of some of my favorite presses. The guidance has been — make the debut something that, no matter which page one turns to, it is excellent, surprising, gripping. Of the original 33, there were several which I found some anguish in including. They were, to me, somewhat cringeworthy or more generic sounding. Less personally compelling. I included them to precisely honor the vision I received of the book and its contents. The guidance says — that vision was coherent for those who are already invested in you. A debut should not be for the already-initiated. It should not shut out those who may be touchier to reach. Okay, I say — let’s give it a try. Conscious distillation of the vision need not constitute betrayal of the vision. Sometimes this is precisely what the task is: receive a complete gem from the earth — it is rough, interestingly terminated — beautiful to collectors, but not yet the masses. Bring it to the wheel and chart your faceting cuts. Reveal the gem you consciously wish to offer the world. It is a collaborative effort. The conscious aspects don’t get a pass. They are not merely submissive to unconscious design. In this moment, we must participate. We must choose what it is we will do~ ] Received 1/18/2026 | 9:07-42pm
Companion Missive #23 - Dream: Atlantean (10/14/2023)
Listen to the Recitation:
LEARN LESS Learn better Spin the table The conscious likes to expand Teach it to contract Distill drops of wonder In the throat of horror Wipe half the board Then wipe another half Focus on what's left We have to relearn less Learn how to less It is uncomfortable. I know Draw it down, condense With each transition, more is lost Each transfer lessens liquid, sediment This makes crisper, clearer More refined, more distilled liquid Volatile concentrate, sanitary The sane is solitary The solitary is not isolated Isolation occurs in the middle Crucible containment, bubbling 10, 14 days longer — wait Between transitions Do not touch, do not disturb Notice it less Set a reminder and trust it I look at the candle flickering I slip on the ice I land, hard, on my hand and spine A crack A sprain — distension Sudden shock to the system Ice falls around me It is beautiful Can I focus better, on less? It is a matter of need, not desire It is what making it through looks like This turn around Moving deliberately the pieces on the board Into conscious attention Dropping into unconscious Uncover soil and plant seeds Wait — 10 or 14 days Do not disturb Make yourself ready I utter a thousand thank yous I shatter my mind I forge it into an infinite sphere It folds over into itself From itself — an eon Aion does not listen They toy Tossing round stones in the sand Smiling grimace Urgency will not save you Worry will not solve this Becoming steadfast, will This season spells it for us The crystalline cast Branches break Trees fall, overweighted Stars show bright, even brighter Almost painfully bright We turn our eyes downward To the ground Sunsetting Soil becomes purple, pink Blush Emblazon crimson The new moon cannot be seen Below the earth, waiting A hundred spring thaws Pregnant Take it in Develop thoughts, project Into filmic image, focus The light in a dark room Hang to dry, watch The beauty unfolds Unknown, is no less magnificent The future is renewed in the present Certain of what is uncertain Assured in the outcome Brought back into this A flickering candle Releasing smoke Melting impossible Jupiter's rings are fainter than Saturn's The two contract Distinguished A red mare between them Untameable, trained To unseat any rider Race into the distance, turn Look with eyes of round fire After this darkness, an eclipse Blood moon Red A ring of fire A jewel of shade Gateway to another world The price to move through: Focus The quality of your attention How distilled your conscious Cease in your expanding! The rainbow is all around
The transcribed poetic dictation format here is fascinating - there's something powerful about how the spoken word, when captured through dictation, retains this rawness and immediacy. The poem's theme of "learning less" to gain more clarity resonates with the dictation process itself - allowing words to flow without the interference of manual writing. The line "Conscious distillation of the vision need not constitute betrayal of the vision" particularly strikes me as relevant to how dictation can preserve authentic expression while still requiring editorial choices. Beautiful work capturing that balance between spontaneity and intention.