***
I had the true pleasure of being embraced in the art of David Keenan the other night in Dublin which inspired me to write the following piece about the gig experience. I woke with it unearthed but caught under my rib as inspiration can appear and won’t settle until it’s birthed. He is a true artist in every sense of the word. Endless gratitude to him for his way of being in this world and long may the magic continue.
***
The David Keenan Experience
*
The embodiment of youth
Full of power and truth.
Urging us to board the plane
To unfamiliar terrain.
*
The lilt of his raw jaws
Echoes out for our cause.
The wisest of words
Like our ancestors heard.
*
Not boy, man, body or mind
But spirit.
Then it’s time to hear it:
“Fuck the fear.”
*
The mad ones, glad ones and the sad ones delight
As they set it all alight,
Fucking all the afraid
Of the blocks they self-made
Rejoice!
Fuck the fear.
*
He preaches to his congregation
Like a new nation
And for a moment we are,
It’s just us and the stars
*
He takes us to a place
Where we don’t have to save face;
Wild, romantic and free
As life should always be…
*
Then he calls out my name
But we all have the same
Empathy.
*
And as we take each other’s hand
We land.
Realising this place isn’t new
Not for me or for you
It has always been within us
But after years of the corporate bus
Joyriding through our chest
Telling us we will never be like the rest
We forgot.
*
So let’s rip off our vests!
Leave down our weapons
And do our best.
To do what we know, live where we are
And embrace the souls that surrounds
Our eternal living grounds.
For without them this is nothing,
With us it’s something.
*
Land, sea, air, passion and pride,
Burn the boxes so no one can hide,
Truth, hope and redemption
Here’s to the honourable mention
True artistry is the key
And thanks to him we can see.
*
Bathing in the wise words
Of this untongue twister,
Howaya Mister?
Originality is called in
But this time without sin.
*
Let it all out,
We shout!
The forbidden is fired
Everyone is wired,
Free dancing for all.
*
Leave it all there
Without a care,
Embrace the space
And the whole human race.
*
Ready,
No one is ever Set,
Just Go.