Aaron

     If I could steal anything from Aaron Shurin it would be his perspective because it, and only it, makes his, ahem, flowery language, work.  Music strikes again and I have to refer to a song quote to explain what I mean.  "You've got a lovely way with words - it's just the way you see the world."  Aaron is a poet for sure.  I feel this effortlessness in his language choices.  He is obviously well read - I picked up on little waves and nods to Plato, Edward Abbey, Foucault, and, of course, Shakespeare - which helps, of course.  But there's this intrinsic writerly quality about him that, I think, he acknowledges, and embraces, in "The Dancers".  Performance is the heart of performing.  Those whose art we love, love to make art - whatever the medium.  Brian Wilson wrote "God Only Knows" about music.  A love song to his form.
   In sharing vivid memories and anecdotes, Shurin becomes a philosophical spokesman for "the" counterculture.  He seems to have found a home and a family along the margins and his adventurous streak could lead him to no better place than the other side of the proverbial margin.  His surrealism, his transcendent moments, feel more honest and organic than many memoirs and biographies that remain firmly planted in reality.  I wanted to be reincarnated as Aaron Shurin.