Writer • Musician
Reading John Muir's My First Summer in the Sierra makes me wish that over the past few years, I had kept a more comprehensive journal detailing my own travels, along with my many encounters and experiences in Los Angeles; as opposed to what I fear might only amount to scattered, disconnected ramblings and loose sketches based on the things I …
When I'm on the move, I write in verse Small poems to most accurately or honestly reflect the things going on around me, and how I feel about those things Often times, most of the time, these poems aren't any good But other times, they turn out alright. Simple. To the point. Just getting the …
The guitar case bears the sacred marks from where you've been Not too far but you've got the scars The stars at night still grin You look out yonder and see bright green Deep in the swamps of mud memory That one summers eve, outside New Orleans long before Yosemite and the mighty Sequoia trees …
your eyes begin to open, you look out long, pour over your mythology, over the scattered clouds across the desert, your precious afternoon the desert you know well, probably the same old New Mexico state road On the morning so cold, when you stood all alone with the night the night the night you were …
Written for the online gentleman's magazine 'Suspendermen'. Unfortunately they never published it, but at least they paid me. They're good guys. When I first watched the music video for Jidenna’s “Classic Man”, I had mixed emotions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsiN0W15w0U The video, on a fundamental level doesn’t seem to be anything new for a pop song these days. The singer …
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael Nothing satisfies these eyes of mine As I stare into the night. Thoughts fade away and spirits are bent, All is bleak and deceit is the night, As I search for you And all I see is hollow pine And I think of you Think we'll meet again, somewhere, …
The Root Riding that train through the European plain, thinking Of what’s to be gained, and I think And theorize about things Realize We stand on the brink In that final realm as the thunder rolls The final frontier of the human soul. – Political discourse like broken leaves Stands in the shadows of laughing …
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael My hands shake they’re not mine Rain falls, can’t recognize My eyes frozen in time Mirror broken, this home ain’t mine I see my brother’s sweet day In bright daylight it fades Stranger beside me prays I’m lost in falling rain I remember your sweet kiss Your loving arms, …
If I’s a river captain I’d sail ‘neath an endless sky And if I’s some master painter That canvas might stay dry And if I’s some famed actor Every play may be a lie And though inside I feel a fire I find no place to hide I’m a love-lorn sworn crusader in a world …
My new life in LA was wearing me thin and I decided that I needed to get away. The plan was to drive up to San Francisco and stay there for a few days. I was told that I should take the 1 Highway, that even though it was a longer route, it offered a …
It was early in the morning and I couldn’t see the peaks of the mountains. The mist in the air was cool and no cars drove on Highway 1, also known as the pacific coast highway, in central California. This was a place I’d only heard of but never seen. It lived in my mind …
by J.L. Quinby LOS ANGELES I'm typing this post on my phone. Let's establish that right away and maybe it will give you some indication of the sort of mood I'm in and more so what to expect from me. Or maybe not. I just thought it was worth mentioning right away along with the …
Continue reading "Blogging isn’t really my thing. Shit on a Ferrari and other observations."
I drove down I-75, for the wedding of my brother’s son Hills rose from the south, ghost called out old sounds of the swamp Yea the air was warm and the road was my own The land I’s born, my ol’ childhood home I stopped off at a Cracker Barrel in Zephyrhills Yea parked the …
Continue reading "I Stopped Off at a Cracker Barrel in Zephyrhills"
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael I walk these streets tonight burning bright by my soul My friends came and went, yea I stood alone Felt so alive, though I could soon die, yea I's far from home From the shadows rose the face I'd known from long ago I looked straight into his eyes, …
Continue reading "I Had a Showdown with the Devil in London"
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael On the southern streets of the Delta May They hum a tune of old, stone-cold eyes through the day, Yea, I'm the Man in Black I sing an old shaman's song Oe'r dust upon glass for the long awaiting dawn. And as fallen rain shines 'neath the quarter noon …
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael When I see your lover, baby When I see your man You know I'll never go under, honey Some day you'll understand That I'm your boy Not your toy I walk both day and night To even the score More and more I can't get you out of my …
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael Like finding a river after walking through hills of sand, I saw you girl, reached out to grab your hand. When you stood surrounded by city shadow, how many knew your name? You dancing child, city ghost, staring through the dark like a sacred flame? I'm just a traveller, …
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael Everything I loved, everything I lost feels like so long ago But with you I see the blade of green in the fallen snow Let me put my hand in yours and take me beyond And envelop me in the warmth of your joyous song See I used to …
I fly high tonight, a child of the skies Looking long for my beautiful view On the cool breeze I rest a young herald of the west I sing the night's sound, my feet never touch the ground Though I know I may not let it show I was born long ago When I’s a …
Ren Michael 