Even though I waffle at times, when asked about my favorite band, I generally have to answer Depeche Mode. I recently traveled to see them in Dallas, and was once again blown away, but for several reasons.I live my life with a soundtrack in my head, and a somewhat cinematic lens through which I view existence. I know, it sounds nuts, but it keeps me (in various scenarios) entertained, engaged, and/or sane.
During the DM show, the backdrop (seen above) utilized a ball in the screen to portray various effects. During "Precious" (until now not one of my favorite songs), the ball became a typewriter ball, like from an old Selectric, and "typed" out an amazing poem that not only clarified the song for me, but reconnected me with this band and its music in a new and profound way. Funny how artists can do that to an audience when all we were looking for was a good time.
I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim
A Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, and angel
Or even pure
Soul.
Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.
–Hafiz, Persian poet (1315 – 1390), translated by Daniel Lazinsky.
