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Remember When You Have A Son

Todd Clouser

remember when you have a son nothing is erased
words get stamped upon the letters that will fall from his full grown mouth
that the window he sits before is curtained by the canvas colored humming of your stare or gentle smile
your push or hold, grace or rain
his language slurred by the reflections of campfire ashes in your eyes or the hallway light shadows underneath his bedroom door

and remember before his sketch is colored it was exactly as you would please
that you built and pulled the curtain from his quiet stage
and know you are his audience
and that an artist is not to be believed when they insist their work is simply for themselves

know that he goes falling in life, held by the parachute built by your wrinkling hands landing in the same feathered arms that surely must catch us all

Todd Clouser

A young, genre-defying guitarist, composer, and writer, Todd Clouser is an accomplished musician across the creative music spectrum, leading a unique path to recognition as an act to watch, finding his own voice performing with musicians from Keb Mo to "downtown" NYC jazz legend Steven Bernstein. Clouser's impassioned performances run from piano balladry to dense jazz and groove, exciting audiences with an approach meant to bend the rules of artistic labeling. "A Love Electric" documents Todd's most aggressive ensemble yet, an energetic group based in the stylings of 70's era electric musics. The February 2013 release of The Naked Beat, Clouser's third album of the year, marks the first record to feature his wildly engaging vocals. Think Zappa meets Burroughs with the songwriting sensibilities of Beck and Hendrixian guitar heroics. Clouser is an original, always evolving, and always honest to the spirit of the imagination. In addition to Todd's website, you can find him on Twitter and YouTube.

Author: Todd Clouser Tags: iu, poetry, Todd Clouser Category: Poetry February 11, 2013

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Empty Mirror

Established in 2000 and edited by Denise Enck, Empty Mirror is an online literary magazine that publishes new work each Friday.

Each week EM features several poems each by one or two poets; reviews; critical essays; visual art; and personal essays.

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