Free Writing from 2010.

When did it become apparent that you were meant to be somewhere else? Was it when you realised it was too dark to read? Was it when you realised the moon was concerned for your well – being? Was it when you began shooting stars from the sky? Was it when you drowned the bucket in the well? Was it when you forgot to butter your crumpet?

When did you realise you were no longer you? Was it when you stopped thinking about running on the spot and started running in circles? Was it when you put your hands over your ears and started screaming? Was it when you drew the curtains and walked into the walls? Was it when you started playing the drum with your feet?

Stop and think. Wait for something to come. Wait for the truth. You’ll know when it comes. Sometimes all we have to do is wait. And when it arrives it will be a simple song for all ears. Divine.

-Fleur Green 2010 Ó

Moby Dick and the search for Pip...

Pip is a wonderful character. In the book, he's a young African-American. But in the opera by Jake Heggie which was performed in Adelaide recently, he's played as a young caucasian boy, and sung by a woman - the only female singer on stage.

He's initially thought of by the crew members as a dumb but jolly lad who entertains with his tambourine frequently.

When he is lost at sea, he goes mad. When he is found and rescued, the initial character "Pip" is lost, and this rambling madman is left.

I think it is Starbuck who seems to think he is not mad though, but has had some sort of mystical experience, as a lot of what he says in 'madness' is insightful. It's interesting and reminds me of this poem:

Much Madness is divinest Sense—

To a discerning Eye—
Much Sense—the starkest Madness—
..............(Emily Dickinson -1861)

I could go on about other wonderful characters in Moby Dick... Captain Ahab, Queequeg, Ishmael and Starbuck...

The thing that unites them? They are all Men lost at sea whether they realise it or not.