Twas a sweet night in Wilkes-Barre

A new twist on a timeless classic. Just thinking about the year that has been. Enjoy.

Twas a sweet night in Wilkes-Barre, and in this fine place
there was wonderful music full of beauty and grace.
The venue was buzzing that most special night
as one night from Heaven became a forum's delight.

Down go the lights and hush goes the crowd
as a form appears in a brightly lit cloud.
The haunting tune drifted and weaved 'mongst the seats,
and all sat there spellbound in her musical treats.

Then came four more angels to light up the room,
and no one who was there could feel a second's more gloom.
Sing Chloe and Lisa. Sing Alex and Lynn.
Play on pixie fiddler. Oh what a beautiful din.

Ray and Nick pounded the beat and became one with their drums.
If any of us tried that we'd sure be all thumbs.
Des and Eoghan plucked strings like in ages gone by,
and Tommy played pipes with such beauty you'd cry.

Out comes a choir with the rest of the throng,
and soon the whole venue was full up with song.
With smiles on our faces and tears in our eyes
the place glowed like sunlight as spirits did rise.

Then came those sweet moments when Chloe saw Kim,
and all felt the rapture like a beautiful hymn.
Chloe winked and waved and blew Kim a kiss.
That's one precious girl who would know Heaven's bliss.

So who are the angels that ran off with our hearts?
Well they're five Irish lasses from far away parts.
But this night they're ours in one gracious gift
as their souls and ours would dip, merge, and drift.

Yes Chloe we know that when you believe
not a thing you can't have what e'er you conceive.
You proved it that night with the smile on Kim's face,
and proved it all the more in your voice touched with lace.

Lisa came singing through fields of gold
as we went one by one into her heart's gentle hold.
In the blessings I'm touched as the voice takes me higher,
while she sings through the night in this heavenly choir.

Then what do my still bouncing eyes dare to see
but a fawnlike Lynn floating by singing to me.
One seaweed seller would win your fair hand
while dear Carolina gives us reason to stand.

Then a flash of blue comes drifting by.
Could it be lady Alex has captured my eye?
Yes it must be. That's her crystalline voice.
I'm swept up and cradled, and haven't a choice.

Spinning and twirling, and leaping about
comes a high flying fiddler with a hoot and a shout.
She kept us all breathless in airs sweet and low,
then flung us 'round madly in her rapid notes flow.

Now we are gathered to await who we'll meet.
The right two tonight would make this dream complete.
Here then comes Chloe with Mairead by her side.
Oh now what a thrill, what a beautiful ride.

Oh moscapoet, oh Dwight, oh Dave and fur face.
Oh John and Ralph, and Scott T's hearts will race.
Oh MrPeabody, Jim and Don, Tony too.
Oh Walter and Wickie can you believe this is true?

Smiles are abundant and tears flow in streams
as so many tonight have the night of their dreams.
So now we part with mem'ries not few
to gather next year for MaireadFest two.

c 2009 Scott Manke aka moscapoet

A Christmas poem

Hello everyone!

I hope you are having a most joyous Hanukkah or advent season and will have a very special Christmas. Here is a poem I wrote back in 2008. No matter what your current state perhaps you'll look at this poem and know there are those who have it worse. If you have love, you have it all. God loves you.

SANTA LEFT ME LOVE

1) My daddy has gone far away,
and my mommy cries every night.
The bullies pick on me at school
'cause my old clothes just don't look right.
Our house is cold and dark sometimes,
and I'm hungry most ev'ry day.
But I'm happy 'cause it's Christmas.
Maybe Daddy's on Santa's sleigh.

2) The people at church brought a tree,
and a nice man brought us some food.
I decorated with popcorn.
Now my mommy's in a good mood.
Some people were singing carols,
and the snow was falling all night.
So this Christmas isn't so bad.
Baby Jesus made it alright.

R) No toys were left in my stocking.
No candy or fruit from the store.
But Santa left me love last night,
and that's really a whole lot more.

c 2008 Scott Manke aka moscapoet

Support Mairead in the IMA awards

Hello!

Well, just a brief one here this time. I'll have a year in retrospect in a few weeks.

For now, please visit the following site: http://irishmusicawards.com/ and join the forum there. Once you do that you may vote in the IMA awards. Up for those awards for best fiddler is Mairead Nesbitt and rightfully so. While much of her recent work is not in the traditional vein, some is, and we all know she can do trad with the best of them. Please tell your family, friends and co-workers to check out Mairead, join the IMA forum and vote for her. I would love to be there in January and see her handed this award.

In addition to Mairead, Orlagh Fallon is up for several awards including best harpist. She has a wonderful repertoire of traditional pieces both on harp and vocals that place her at or near the top of this genre in my book. I was just in Cleveland for her solo show and it was a wonderful mix of Irish and English, vocals and harp. She was incredibly kind with her time and comments after the show as well. The artists we love so much deserve your support while with Celtic Woman and beyond.

Lisa Kelly and Celtic Woman are also in the slate of nominees so please vote for them as well. These folks have more than earned any awards they can receive, and if we can help them win those we should do so. Please also respond when these artists post a blog. I know Lisa, Chloe, and Mairead all have those and post when time allows.

Finally, just a brief thank you to all the forum folks who have been so kind in their support of the Mairead forum as well as myself and Olivia. My thanks as well to Mairead for her kind and continued support of her forum. That kindness translated into a $2000 check to Oxfam in her name from quite a few members of her forum. May you each have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Dia dhuit, Scott

Celtic Woman magic in so many ways

Hello everyone!

Well, since my last blog much has happened. You just can't go wrong with Celtic Woman artists past and present!!

November saw me attend a string of shows in the southwest US. Lubbock started it all off followed by El Paso, Albuquerque, and Tucson. We had large forum gatherings in the two middle cities. Along the way I had my uncle, brother, and niece whom I treated to shows and meet & greets. I was able to see each of the artists at one point or another after a show and each were delightful.

Most special of all though was Albuquerque where I had the honor of presenting Mairead with a $2000 check from her forum for her charity of choice, Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped. She was most gracious in accepting, posing for photos, and in her kind comments. As I told her that night she has a way of inspiring so much in so many and in so many ways. What a blessing from God she is for so many. I hope many will be blessed in the money given to that charity in her name and that of her forum.

This past night though was something else. I attended for the first time a concert held by a former member of Celtic Woman. Orlagh Fallon performed at the WVIZ studios in Cleveland. We had 14 forum folks there to greet and support her during the show and after. She was accompanied by Dan and Mary who were fine artists themselves. The show was a lovely mix of harp and vocals, Irish and English, in a setting that allowed for questions and interactions that were truly special. All of us who attended were incredibly impressed. After the show Orlagh spent a considerable amount of time with us forum folks and was most giving of herself for photos and signing things. She was presented with many gifts and her kind comments to each of us were very touching. We already supported her in her solo efforts, but now she has created the kind of special memories and moments that can energize those who were there to more active promotion of her to all we know.

Deirdre has been quite successful in her solo career after Celtic Woman. That is even more true now that she has been signed to perform with Celtic Thunder. Hayley Westenra already had a brilliant career before her brief stint with Celtic Woman, and that has continued to soar in the time since. Meav has been a bit less active but has a bright future if she wants it and does have some things on the horizon coming up. Orlagh is destined to be a very big success as she performs and wins hearts wherever she goes. There will come a time when others within Celtic Woman will move back to solo careers as well and there can be no doubt they will florish too. Certainly for me when that time comes for Mairead she will have built a committed and energized base of support from her forum. If she follows the paths she has already started and then looks at the success of those such as Orlagh, Deirdre, and Hayley, she will be an incredibly popular artist playing to ever increasing audiences. For now the current Celtic Woman status quo appears to be holding.

I encourage each of you to support the individual artists endeavors as well as the enesemble itself. We are their first line of promotion and certainly the most passionate. We don't do it for money but out of our love for these incredible artists who have touched us each so deeply. The new Celtic Woman show Songs From The Heart began to air last week and is another winner by David Downes and the artists on stage. I was blessed in having attended the show recording and the video certainly does it justice.

We have a lot to be grateful for in this season of light that is Christmas. Each of these artists deserve your support and I thank them each for following their hearts and doing what they were born to do. Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and a wonderful new year to each of you. Special thanks to Mairead for a reamarkable year that saw so many special moments, and thanks to Orlagh or a truly lovely night.

All the best, Scott

What is your currency?

Hello everyone!

This has been an interesting week to be sure. It was the first full week since my return from the Celtic Woman fall tour. Three great shows, wonderful forum folks to share them with, and once again time to chat with my favorite person on the planet, Máiréad.

This week saw Máiréad post a nice new blog, Celtic Woman announce their first online chat on their site, and the news of Deirdre Shannon joining Celtic Thunder. This week also saw my credit card bill. Oh my. It certainly was an eye opener but should have been no surprise. It may take years to pay it off barring a miracle.

That brought me to the sermon today at a tiny church in Crestone, Colorado. I was attending the confirmation of a friend's son and the Episcopal Bishop of Colorado was conducting the ceremony. Interesting that his name is O'Neill. Why am I not surprised at being inspired by someone Irish.

In his sermon he talked about two different economies, the world's, and God's. It was a wonderful lesson and reinforced in me the path I am on. While I struggle with the world's currency, I am overflowing with God's. What is His currency? Love.

It is love that has driven me now in the past 2 1/2 years. Love of God,and love of one of His precious creations. Through her He has inspired me to write poetry, song lyrics, a fantasy novel, and a screen play all in various stages of work. It is love that drives me to what I do in the forums even though there are those who are filled with hate, greed, jealousy, and anger who wish me and those places ill. Love always wins but that does not mean it isn't a struggle. It is love that moved me to give so that others could see shows they otherwise could not. It is love that brings Olivia and I together to benefit an orphanage in India. It is love that moves members of Máiréad's forum to donate to her charity to help others.

That, my friends, is God's currency. Each of us has such wealth in abundance yet many have not been able to find it. The answer to that is simply give it. Spend that currency like it is going out of style. Love multiples it does not divide. The equation is simple. So, when I look at my credit card bill and consider what must be, I must weigh what has been received. It is worth every penny. To know love, to give love, to see love in action, to be inspired by love, all priceless.

I am grateful to God, grateful to Máiréad, grateful to the many wonderfully supportive forum folks, grateful to Olivia, and regret not a thing these past 2 1/2 years. There are more treasured moments and memories than in all of life before that and far more love.

Don't worry if your wallet is empty. Worry far more if your heart is empty. But if there is love inside of you spend it, share it, and rejoice in it. Don't worry, the source of it has plenty more for you. Via con Dios.

Scott/moscapoet

Fall has fell but CW will melt the frost

Hello everyone!

Well, here in the high country of The Rockies we had our first hard freeze the other night. It has been in the mid-twenties a couple of nights now. We also have a nice mantle of snow on our surrounding peaks. The colors are appearing and the harvest is in full swing. Fall has fell for sure.

I've just begun to come down from an amazing tour by Celtic Woman and the marvelous adventures in Ireland at their DVD recording. Now, in less than two weeks, I'm off to support Máiréad in her next tour with that fine ensemble from across the pond. I have three shows to start then a break and four in the southwest to wrap it up. Along the way we'll have some wonderful gatherings of members of the various forums.

Business here slowed down quite a bit in July and August. In fact it has been the worst two months since I began. September is seeing a rebound though which my credit card company will appreciate. If you don't know I sell stamps of the world to stamp collectors and also make and sell simple earrings and pendants with single gemstones mostly in silver. Well, I have to do something to pay for my silly CW habit!!!

I have had some encouraging news on the creative front as well. Another artist in Australia is considering using some of my lyrics as basis for future songs. I won't let on who that is yet until things happen for sure. I'm now up to over 330 poems/lyrics since it all began. I have one gent working up illustrations for one poem to turn it into a children's book. Another artist has shown interest as well. I'm now also through chapter five of a fantasy novel I began writing after Red Rocks. I won't let on about the details just yet but a certain fiddler is the heroine of the novel.

I continue to offer my services to various forums and I thank everyone for their support and prayers. I also continue to pursue avenues to promote Liv Gritten in her efforts to make inroads into the music business. She is a very gifted singer/composer and you can find out more about her at www.oliviagritten.org as well as her music MySpace at www.myspace.com/livgritten where you can hear some of her tunes that include a couple to my lyrics and a radio interview. Thanks so much Liv for your trust and confidence.

So, lots going on here and around the world. We'll keep you posted. Thanks for reading and may God bless each of you.

All the best, Scott

Powerscourt Ireland

Hello everyone!

Well what a time it has been so far on the lovely emerald isle! As you know the DVD recordings for Celtic Woman did happen in spite of crummy weather the first night and an overheated generator the second night. All the prayers of so many were answered though and everything was recorded. We even had some bonus time as a few songs/airs they did again due to technical glitches. Thank you to everyone at Celtic Woman and especially the artists for all of your hard work. The end products will no doubt be fantastic! We look forward to the fall tour and then the spring tour next year where we'll see you again in person.

This has been a very full trip for me with very little sleep. I'm averaging about three to four hours per night and that will be the case again tonight as I will post a review of The High kings concert here in lovely Killarney.

Over the past few days I've visited Powerscourt in County Wicklow, Greystones along the coast of that same county, Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, and now have met Lisa and Helen's mum. But also I met some wonderful Irish folks like Cieran our driver for the Powerscourt shows, and a nice couple from nearby the second night of the recordings as well as some friend's of Mairead's in a pub. I even got to publicly recite some of my poetry which was well received.

To say the least I am impressed with this nation and its people. Certainly I am impressed by their arts and culture. If you have never been to Ireland then make it a mission to go and experience this place and its people. But please do yourself a favor and don't make it a quick trip or limit it to Dublin. Allow time to travel and don't be in a rush. this is a place you sould savor slowly, not gulp. Same applies to your first and subsequent pints of Guinness.

I feel as richly blessed as can be and will not look forward to going back to the states on Wednesday. Like my Australia trip a few months ago, I really feel very comfortable here. Now if I can just get the poetry, books, and lyrics to pay I can spend more time in both places and even consider staying on for awhile. But it will be back to reality all to soon and finding a way to pay for my insanity.

To all the forum folks I met here in Ireland, it was a great pleasure to share time with you. Same goes for all of you I met on the inaugural Isle Of Hope tour. Thank you for your kindness and support. Mairead truly does both inspire and send out great waves of love that we in turn give to each other. God bless her and all of you. See you in the forums, MySpace, Twitter, and right here with the next blog.

Le Gra, Scott

Flourishing

Hello everyone!

Well, the Celtic Woman Isle Of Hope tour has come and gone. What has been left behind are marvelous images and memories for so many to relish. The artists have gone back to Ireland and have rested up a bit. Now they are preparing for their wonderful new DVD recording at Powerscourt. It appears there will be new material for that which adds more excitement to the whole adventure.

Yes indeed it will be another adventure. Plans are set for me to travel there and experience this production just as I did for the Christmas concert back in July 2007. It looks as though nearly two dozen forum members from various forums will be attending. None of them are hostiles in the silly goings on of the past many months. So, the audience will have no shortage of love and energy for this production. My plan also is to take in The High Kings show in Killarney a few days later. I also plan to visit county Tipperary, specifically Rock Of Cashel which is one of the most historic sites in the country. So a full schedule to be sure.

Inspirations from all of this have come fast and in great plenty. Poem #315 was written a few days ago. Eight came quickly after the experience at Red Rocks. A few days ago something new happened though. I've now begun a book. I can't go into too much detail here until it is done. However, I can tell you it is a fantasy series with a certain fiddler as the heroine. Three chapters are already done. At this rate I hope to have it finished in time to give a copy to her at the end of the fall tour. However, writing being what it is, there is no assurance the flow will maintain itself at this pace. Regardless, it seems I have been wrapped in a blanket of pixie dust, and I am enjoying the benefits of all of it.

No blog comments have come since before Red Rocks from the three artists within Celtic Woman who have blogs. I know many eagerly await them. But, these artists are enjoying time at home with family and friends and also working hard once again on the next production. Once that is over we all may hear from each of them again about Red Rocks, The tour in general, the production, and upcoming events. For now, thank you to Mairead for her wonderful support, to her forum members for their kindness and generosity to each other and her charity, and to all the other artists within Celtic Woman for their tireless and beautiful efforts in sharing their gifts. See you all again soon.

All the best, Scott

The green bow

Hello everyone!

It began last fall before the 2009 Celtic Woman tour began. Some discussion had been made with regard to what the forum should get Mairead for her birthday. It was thought that it should be something unique, useful, and tasteful.

In March of 2009 on the heels of the amazing events at MaireadFest in Wilkes-Barre that gift was ordered. The item is produced in Arkansas by a small family owned company called Incredibow. They make unique fiddle bows that are durable and some quite colorful.

It was not easy but I decided on a bright, metallic, emerald green one. The folks at Incredibow moved me ahead of some orders knowing who it was for and that her birthday would soon be upon us. I picked it up at a distributor in Albuquerque called Apple Mountain music. It came wrapped in a soft, black cloth with a gold ribbon around it and a pink paper rose. The presentation was lovely. I unwrapped it and the bow just leaped out and said Hi I'm for Mairead! Well, it may as well have. I thought it would be fun for her to use with her green electric fiddle back in Ireland at gigs and sessions. I knew the one she used with Celtic Woman was expensive and she was comfortable with it.

Well, I flew to Dallas for her birthday and the show there. I had hoped to present it to her in person at the meet & greet. That was not to be as I'm sure she had plenty of things set up by others to celebrate her day. I gave it to her good friend, and fellow Celtic Woman, Lisa. She was only too happy to be the one to give it to her. A few days later Mairead posted a blog acknowledging having received it.

Later on Mairead posted another blog stating she would try to actually use the bow in concert at Red Rocks for the finale. I was elated and really stunned. I never thought she would set aside her expensive bow that she is so used to in order to use that gift. It is not easy to do as the feel, weight, and tone of each bow is different, and she would have to break it in and get used to it.

So, July 1st and 2nd arrive and the final nights of the inaugural Isle Of Hope tour occur. Many of us in her forum are there in anticipation. I had requested that photos be taken by CW of her using the bow so that all members of her forum could see it. To our great surprise she wielded the new bow about halfway into the first act! She then used it much of the time throughout the remainder of the show. Many of us stood, clapped, wept, and smiled so much it hurt. Again the next night she did the same thing. Their road manager said that photos were taken back stage the first night due to the weather. I can safely speak for many in looking forward to seeing those photos.

Every member of her forum was given a great honor those two nights. That is a huge statement of gratitude and respect by Mairead to everyone in the enchanted forest. I cannot thank her enough for that loving act and for her support throughout the tour and before it. It was a great honor to select it, deliver it, and be there for its first public performance. Will it be on the DVD? Well, that is up to her.

Thanks to those who donated toward that gift. Monies over and above the cost of it went to her Oxfam Charity account. Thank you Mairead for everything. I love you. Now off to Ireland in a few weeks! May there always be pixie dust in your lives.

Scott/moscapoet

Pixie dust in my coffee

I am running on pixie dust and coffee. In the maelstrom of a conflict between good and evil, right and wrong, and health and injury.

In a world filled with darkness populated by those who are filled with hate, anger, jealousy, and greed run rampant it is she who gives me hope.

In a world where a never ending stream of blockades are placed before me by those who follow another road it is she who leads me around the barriers with her kindness.

In a world where she risks it all in the name of her friends and supporters I am humbled by her strength and courage.

In a world of those who wish to destroy beauty I find a universe of it in her eyes and smile as she gracefully floats before me.

In a world where she goes forward in pain and limitation I and others stand by her and offer a place of peaceful and joyful sanctuary.

In a world of take she gives. All the while she inspires beauty and charity in others from the platform of a stage and notes from her sweet instrument.

In a world where it is easier to agree to the status quo she supports that which is different and uplifting that builds up and doesn't tear down.

In a world where many take the easy path she seeks the challenge and accepts the risks of life long injury while those in suits drain her ever slowly with little of earthly value to compensate her.

In the forest there is a mine from which those who inhabit the place draw strength and renewal. It is she who provides the ore that becomes the magic word we know will sustain the residents. We know it as pixie dust.

There are those who would use her up as an instrument for monetary gain thinking nothing of her as a person but as a thing.

There are those who would seek to drive a wedge between her and those who support her and between each other in their common bond in her.

There are those who pollute the minds of the weak and needy with the crumbs from their great bounty whose appetite is never satisfied.

There are those who look upon love as a four letter word never knowing its true meaning and its unconditional nature.

There are those who believe their twisted outlook on life is what others must believe and think about others.

There are those who cast a suspicious eye to those they do not know and assume the worst while the one who does know has no issue with the one subject to criticism.

And so my friends it is time to let the pixie dust fly.

She showers pixie dust upon those who truly see and hear the essence of who she is in her performances and with every meeting.

She delivers with every note and step the spirit of The One who sent her here to share the gifts He put in her.

What do we do with that pixie dust when we receive it? Pass it on.

It should be dropped by the bag full on those who would use her simply for their own gain.

It should be dropped by the ton on all those who seek to destroy that which she finds pleasing and of comfort.

It is pixie for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Awake and at rest. Now and forever more it is pixie dust that sends so many on a beautiful journey of inspiration, hope, and peace. It is pixie dust that makes the trees of her forest grow and bear fruit. It is the message she bears for Him from above through the gifts she has been given that will bring healing to those who seek shelter in her soul.

So my friends take a spoonful and swirl it in your coffee and sprinkle it on all your life then pass it along to another and bless them with the essence of the purest sweetener that is she. May she never lack that sweetness of life and love and may you be a vessel to carry it on to another who so desperately needs what only she can give.

Ready for the final tour swing

Well, the Celtic Woman folks have had their well earned break and tomorrow begin their final swing of the spring 2009 tour. I'm sure I share with many others the prayers and well wishes for a great few weeks for them all as they wrap up this first tour of the new show Isle Of Hope.

I'm set to attend both shows in Raleigh, shows at Wolf Trap and Nashville, and the finale with both shows at Red Rocks outside Denver. Wow. The latter looks to be a big forum event.

Celtic Woman has released a couple new videos. One is a performance of their beautiful Brendan Graham composition, Oh America. That was recorded at the Nokia theater in Dallas on April 18th which was Mairead's birthday. This song never fails to get me all teary eyed. The other video is a promo and includes parts of Oh America at Dallas as well as bits of The Call and Mo Ghile Mear. Those two songs were obviously recorded early on in the tour, possibly at Chicago. How do I know that? David Downes is at the piano and Mairead is wearing the shiny, tighter fitting gown she started the tour with that I saw in Evansville.

These videos fuel specualtion that the new DVD will not be recorded as a stand alone performance as those in the past have been. Rather it may be a compilation of recordings from venues along this tour. That would save both CW and PBS a lot of money and hassles, and still produce a beautiful product. Wouldn't bother me one bit if that is what they do. They may record more as this tour wraps up at some great venues.

In response to a request to Celtic Woman for a donation towards Mairead's charity auction/raffle they have donated a very special gift that I should receive later in the year. I'll not say what it is just yet but I thank them as will Mairead and Oxfam for this thoughtful donation.

Olivia has been slammed with University and has taken a bit of a break from gigs. That does not mean she is relaxing! She continues to crank out more material and is preparing for full on rehearsals with her band with a full concert worth of songs. Those will be centered around our mission in India and the song Will India Cry. If you have not checked out Liv please go to her official site at www.oliviagritten.org and follow the links to hear some great music. Join her forum too if you haven't already!

I've not written a poem/lyric since the three right after Mairead's birthday. Too much else on my mind I guess. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. We posted a lovely thank you to Mairead in video format from her forum that is set to a previously unreleased song by Liv and I, Butterfly Kisses. Be watching for a new slide show/video on Youtube dedicated to Navy vets and set to another as yet unreleased song by us, Old Sailor. That was written about a friend of mine who is a WW II vet. Liv set it to music the first night I was in Australia, and she and I modified it some to make it flow better.

The unofficial start of summer has begun. So, to all of you, safe travels, an enjoyable summer, and God's blessings as always until the next time.

All the best, Scott

The winning entry

Hello everyone!

Well, this has been posted elsewhere but thought it time to start posting some of the inspired creations here. This poem was written back on August 24th 2008 in response to a writing contest in Cork Ireland. It made the finals against two other writers and won by popular vote with as many votes as the other two combined. The idea was to write something about a bard and a merchant's daughter. What came to me turned out to be a Christian witness. Enjoy.

THE GIFT OF THE LOUGH

The old man sits feeding doves
by the lough on a soft day.
He is there yet is distant.
His mind is always at play.

She is a sweet lonely lass
from the small town up the way.
She came to the lough forlorn
to kneel down sadly and pray.

She sees the man smiling bright
with a look of joy so real.
And so she dares to approach
as if His beaming might heal.

Why the sad eyes pretty lass?
Says He in a soft clear lilt.
Do you not know God's glories
reach out to erase your guilt.

Says she I am hating life.
There is no love and no hope.
My dad is the town merchant,
and for love I blindly grope.

Who might you be gentle sir?
Says she through a stream of tears.
Says He I'm the bard ageless
sent here to remove your fears.

Hear that sweet dove cooing song
to tell you life is a gift.
Hear the wind and the water,
and let your spirit just drift.

Each day is a newborn babe
that you must care for and love.
To waste it would be tragic
just like you killing that dove.

He then takes the cooing bird
and puts it in her soft hands.
Then with His hand a caress,
and a kiss upon her lands.

When she looks up nothings there.
The bard is not to be found.
Just her smile and the cooing
and a cross upon the ground.

c 2008 Scott Manke aka moscapoet

Supporting the magic

Hello everyone!

Well, those of us who belong to the official Celtic Woman website as members received a request to help that group obtain more exposure from the ABC network. By the way, that is owned by Disney, who happens to be using Members Mairead and Lisa in the next Tinker Bell movie. That is a follow on to the successful performance of Mairead on the first movie of that series.

So, if you like Celtic Woman and the artists within it then by all means go to the official Celtic Woman web site at www.celticwoman.com and click on the members area and join. You may then be able to communicate to ABC your desire to see more of this amazing ensemble on national TV.

I for one am hoping that Mairead will get to exhibit her wonderful abiliites nationally by performing in full one of her great airs such as The Coast Of Galicia or Granuaile's Dance. She would captivate an entire country and enchant possibly millions with the right showcase.

I would encourage all of you to check out the various forums of the individual artists as posted in an earlier blog and support your favorite. For a variety of reasons I do not endorse the forum officially linked to Celtic Woman. No reason to not join the Celtic Woman website as a member though and then you'll get periodic updates and newsletters right from the source.

We all cry that there is nothing but junk on TV. Well, PBS brought us Celtic Woman and it has been the best thing on TV ever in my opinion. Now ABC has the chance to follow suit and we can help make that happen. So, if you get the letter to ABC to support Celtic Woman, send it as is or do as I did and edit and embelish it. I told them a bit of my story but also advised them to not put Celtic Woman on any show that is distasteful to many or controversial. They have avoided that so far and should continue to do so. Hollywood has a tendency to tarnish everything it touches so we want to be sure Celtic Woman stays as they are now in the way they are viewed by their many supporters. They are who they are and that's why we love them.

Thanks for your support of Mairead in all of her efforts as well as your support of Celtic Woman. They are worth it in so many ways, and have touched so many lives in a positive way since coming into our homes on PBS just a few short years ago.

All the best, Scott

Tinkerbelle lives!

Hello everyone!

Well, what amazing news has been flowing out of places like Texas and California of late. No, not politics, not swine flu, not tainted sprouts, but good news. Mairead just had a birthday, and she celebrated it in fine style in Dallas with the help of a great audience, wonderful friends, and a little help from her forum. Then off to California.

The second Disney Tinkerbelle movie is due to be released this fall. Like the first Tink movie, the marvelous Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt will be audible throughout the soundtrack. Her team work with craftsman Joel NcNeely proved to be such an important part of helping that first movie come alive. Anyone notice just a bit of resemblance between Mairead and the Tinkerbelle character? Now, in the second movie, her friend and co-star from Celtic Woman, Lisa Kelly will join her as Lisa sings the opening song. One wonders if the entire cast may be on the third Tink movie. Might as well. Works for me.

Coupled with the recordings for the movie was the Celtic Woman appearance on the popular national show, Dancing With The Stars. An abbreviated rendition of You Raise Me Up closed that show. Far too abbreviated in my opinion was Mairead's role. However, national exposure to folks who had never heard of them since they don't watch PBS. Their loss as CW has been the best thing on TV for years in my opinion. I think the TV show missed an amazing opportunity. They could have put Mairead on stage by herself and had her perform Granuaile's Dance. Flying all over, leaping, twirling, all why playing fiddle flawlessly? It would have brought down the house and enchanted an entire country. Not one other dancer or musician could do what she does. It was a decent showcase for the vocalists and even the choir in the way it was done.

So, what else is coming up? One can only guess at this point, but it seems just because they aren't in concert doesn't mean they aren't working. They are. Hard. I can't imagine them being anything less than exhausted by the time this tour ends with all they have been doing. Away from home for months, traveling, living out of suitcases, going out every time and giving their best no matter how tired they might be, and doing so. Whatever they are paid it isn't enough. Maybe, just maybe, what they may not get in pay, they get from their truest, and most avid fans/friends. Love, encouragement, support, gifts, and just the smiles and tears they see on our faces each night, are all gifts to them in thanks for all they go through to do what they were born to do.

Stay tuned for news of their next DVD recording from their official site. All of the artists have individual forums where you can go to support your favorite. Some have official sites of their own like Mairead's at www.maireadnesbitt.com which has links to various things of interest. There is also her forum at www.maireadforum.com which we lovingly call the enchanted forest. We also have links to her charity of choice, Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped. Be watching for items in the forum that you can bid on or buy tickets for with proceeds going to her charity. Please show her your support by visiting her site, posting on her guest book if you are so moved, joining the forum, and donating to her charity in her name.

Does Tinkerbelle live? Yes indeed, in the form of one amazing woman fiddler from Ireland. If you don't get a healthy dose of pixie dust when you see and hear her perform, then you must be immune to it. Open your eyes, ears, and heart, and be prepared to be swept away to Neverland by the incomparable Mairead.

All the best, Scott

Some promotions

Hi!

Well, over the past year or so a great many wonderful forums and sites have appeared that you should know about if you don't already. Here are just a few:

www.myspace.com/livgritten

www.oliviagritten.org (site of her official fan site and forum)

www.maireadforum.com

www.maireadnesbitt.com (official site, this has been around awhile and is very nice)

www.lisakellyforum.net

www.lynnhilaryforum.net

www.alexsharpeforum.net

www.amyrivardforum.net

Lisa and Mairead also have blogs that you can get to from here that they update now and then. Mairead also puts out a newsletter every few months or so that you can subscribe to.

Mairead is currently on the Celtic Woman tour here in the states but is also actively working on recording the sound track for the second Disney Tinkerbelle movie which is due for release this fall. She did a beautiful job on the first Tinkerbelle movie where you can hear her throughout. She works in conjunction with the very talented composer Joel McNeely in coming up with just the right music for this enchanting movie.

Olivia is attending university, working, and doing various gigs in her native Australia. Her CD, Words After Midnight, is available through CDBaby.com at $19.95 plus shipping or through me at the same price. Be watching for news of more gigs as well as more songs.

All of the forums listed above are run by great people and have a really wonderful and close family feel about them. There are no cliques like one may find elsewhere and they are all about the artists in whose name they operate. They are small, but active places, with wonderful members that do all they can to support their artists. Drop in if you haven't already. Also, there are two others forums you may want to check out supporting artists formerly with Celtic Woman. Both are official forums that are for Meav (www.celticmeav.com) and Deirdre (www.deirdreshannon.com) and are run by very nice folks in Marie and Jenny.

Celtic Woman continues to branch out and get additional exposure. They have appeared on numerous national morning shows over the years. This year so far they also rang the closing bell on Wall Street at the NYSE, and recently made a brief appearance at the end of an episode of Dancing With The Stars. You can find all sorts of news and nice videos at their official site at www.celticwoman.com where you can also find concert information. Go to a show if you can!

Please also check out my own My Space page at www.myspace.com/moscapoet where you can find a nice group of friends and wonderful artists all worth your time and consideration. Be looking both there and here in the future for posts of some of my more popular poems and lyrics. No shortage of those! Wrote number 305 today in the span of only two years!

Thanks for reading and we'll see you on line, at a concert, or elsewhere. God's peace.

Scott

Doing the right thing

Hi!

This blog will be more of a commentary as I reflect on the things of life and how short life itself can be. There are times when one is forced to think about such things as it is for me now.

There are people in life who sacrifice others to build up themselves. We each know folks like that and they know who they are. Such lives are built on jealousy, greed, control, and anger. Their reward may seem great to those on the outside. But they are not happy people. Their thirst can never be quenched. It consumes them and all around them. They wallow in their selfishness and get what they want sharing little of it with others. Their reward is seemingly far greater than what they have earned. They demand respect when they do so little to earn it. They are inflated by their own egos and by those who ride their coattails hoping to be given the crumbs from the banquet table. They hold no one or nothing higher than themselves. They recognize mortality but fail to see the consequences of it and how the person they have chosen to be will affect it. They surround themselves with the weak and the ignorant. They convince others they have more influence than they truly have. They are shallow, empty vessels who bring only negative into the lives of others and suck the very energy from those who care about them. In the final analysis, you reap what you sew. Whatever they gain will be temporary. Those who fill themselves with the negative words, emotions and actions of life will soon find that it will bear fruit in death from within.

There are others in life who sacrifice self for others. They may not always have been that way, and may not be that way all the time. But, the trend is towards the positive. Giving, loving, sharing, uplifting others, giving encouragement, and simply listening are clues that a person has a right heart. Love must be unconditional or it is not love at all. It should be respectful and honorable in both words and actions. When you love you cannot be afraid of it or speaking it. Love, real love, comes from one place only and that is our creator. He created it and us. There are those in life who inspire love in others. One fiddler I know comes to mind. In our language there is but one word for love, yet it has many facets like the precious gem that it is. There are as many kinds of love as there are those who experience it. Some find it productive to criticize those who are happy, who love and aren't afraid to show it, and who write in passionate ways. It is they who are lacking the true meaning of the word in their lives. It is they who stifle love at every turn. Yet what is born of the light cannot be overcome by darkness. Love will always triumph over hate.

We have choices in life. We can choose darkness or light. We can choose right or wrong. We can choose love or hate. We can choose life or death to a certain degree. Fill your lives with positive, uplifting, beautiful things and people. You'll find though that many people who are beautiful on the outside are not so within. You'll also find that some people radiate beauty from within and that is reflected as well in their external beauty. If you are paying attention it does not take long to figure out who is who in that regard.

Since April 2007 I have been uplifted, blessed, and filled with love like I have never been before. That came to me through instruments in God's hands well known to those who know me. One instrument has been the source of countless inspirations to this day. She opened my eyes to a world I had lost long ago. In the two years that have passed a creative stream has flowed in me. That inspiration in turn may inspire others which is likely why it came to begin with. You may never know who you will touch deeply in this life. Choose to do so in a positive way in your words and actions. If love does nothing else in you let it show you the power of the One who created it and sent it into your life. Give that love back unconditionally. Maybe, just maybe, the gift you get in return will be all you ever hoped for in life. Have faith and believe that with God all things are possible no matter how unlikely or improbable. But go about your life and don't dwell on that which you wish for so much. If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move a mountain. I don't care about moving mountains, only touch one little heart that has danced in my dreams for endless ages. Life is too short to be afraid of what others think when you're doing the right thing. Whether anyone sees you or not, do the right thing. Work behind the scenes to bring positive things to the lives of others, not so people see it and think highly of you.

This has been a bit of a ramble of sorts. It is written in a mix of both fulfillment and frustration. It is written as one person reflects on what has been, what is, and what may be. The advice in it is free so worth what you paid for it. Now, back to the creative stream for me. May you too be blessed with a creative force and a passion that fills your life and those around you with all the positive things that make life worth living. May you never lack for love. God's peace.

Olivia Gritten

Hi everyone!

Thought I'd take the opportunity to let you all know about and Amazing young artist in Australia. I found her through forums related to the artists of Celtic Woman via her dad who was a member. He noticed I had been looking for people to set my poetry to music, and said his daughter creates songs and might have a look. So, I sent him a handful to show his daughter figuring it was a long shot.

Within days I was notified that Liv had come up with a song to my poem Butterfly Kisses. No, not the one you've heard before, but a new one based upon the emotions I had when watching and listening to Mairead Nesbitt. I received the song just after to going to my first Celtic Woman concert with a meet & greet. I wound up meeting Mairead for the first time at that event, and it was simply amazing. When I got home the CD was in the mail. So, I took it home and popped it into my CD player and put on the headphones.

I did not know what to expect. Lots of people think they have talent. I pressed play and then came the song. I was stunned by it's beauty and the lovely voice and piano work. What a jewel! Within a few weeks two more songs came, Pile Of Ash, and Cats Don't Fly. Both marvelous creations by this gifted Aussie songbird and composer. Those two songs now reside on Liv's beautiful CD, Words After Midnight, along with ten of her own creations. In the remainder of 2008 Liv sent me two more songs, Final Chapter, and Death Of Dreams. Neither were poems I thought would become songs, yet they now are and lovely ones at that!

Liv has been creatings songs for quite a few years now. They are all over the map in their makeup and style. Each has a message unique to itself. She has volumes of songs yet to be heard by ears outside of her family, and to my great blessing, me as well. Between her songs and ones with me she has material fro several CDs available to her.

It was a great honor to be invited to visit Australia and spend time with Liv and her family. I went there in mid-December 2008 and stayed just over a month. In that short time I experienced a lifetime of family like I had never known. I lived with them and was treated just like one of the family. I did my best to pull my share of the load too. We spent Christmas, New Year's, and a week at a river site not to mention many other wonderful days and nights. The Grittens are a lovely family. Kim, their dad is a fine man and very strong Christian. Maree, his wife, and mum of four wonderful daughters is a hard working and giving soul in spite of some health issues. Her home was beautiful and cared for with love.Liv's younger sister Marina is a delight and has a quick, technical mind. She has a lovely voice too. In fact all the girls sing like angels. The twinnies, Anastasia and Nadia are delightful. ana does the back up vocals for Liv but Nadia can as well when she wants too. Ana was always there with a willing hug which she always seemed to time just right. You've heard Celtic Woman this tour sing their four part A Cappela harmony of Danny Boy? Try the Gritten sisters doing that with Amazing Grace! Wow!

While there Liv and I created three more songs together. One was the first night when we were enjoying her music after dinner. She had just played a lovely tribute song about her grandfather which was called Soldier. He had been a WW II vet. So, I read a poem I wrote about my WW II vet friend, Francis. She snatched it up and promptly turned it into a song right before my eyes and ears. Oh my. I was in tears, which her music tends to do to me. What a beautiful song that could be sung at memorials and commemorations! On the way home from picking up Liv's CDs in Sydney she found another poem to interest her. Will India Cry I had written after hearing about violence against Christians by radical Hindu elements in parts of that country last fall. She tapped me on the shoulder and said "I really like this one" accompanied by a big grin. Well that song too was done in short order with some adaptations we both worked through during the night. It is now the theme song for one ministry and mission which is an orphanage, mostly for girls, in India. Just before a left I approached Liv with a song I had in my head to one of my poems, Another Hundred Rejoice. That is a hymn about the 100th anniversary of my church. It was recorded that night.

Liv continiues to create and is now performing in her native Australia at various festivals and events. She is now on Rhema FM which is a Christian radio network of about 40 stations there. She has some airplay in the states on internet radio and will be getting more. We are wroking towards a time when Liv can come to the states and do a concert tour herself. Her Uni studies, need to bring in some money, and getting her band established are priorities right now. You can find out more about live on her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/livgritten and also at her fan site and forum at www.oliviagritten.org which I administer. I was honored to be named her North American manager and will do my best to promote this truly special artist as often as I can in as many ways possible.

So, from an inspiration by the most amazing fiddler on the planet, Mairead, to poetry, and then to song by another gifted artist, Olivia, it has been quite a journey so far. Stay tuned.

Celtic Woman halfway point

Hello all!

Well, this is my first blog so we'll see what you think. Most who visit will know me but for those who don't here is a brief synopsis. I became a poet and lyricist from the instrument in God's hands of Celtic Woman in April of 2007. Since then I"ve written over 300 pieces.Their amazing fiddler Mairead has been the never ending inspiration and when you see and hear her perform you'll understand why. Check out their official site at www.celticwoman.com and her official site at www.maireadnesbitt.com as well as the fan forum in her honor that I administer at www.maireadforum.com which is a wonderful extended family of her supporters. Please also check out the wonderful artist I create songs with at her site www.oliviagritten.org for more information about this terrific young singer/composer from Australia. She creates so quickly and beautifully she takes my breath away! She and I both have MySpace pages as well that you can check out.

OK, to business at hand. I have been attending Celtic Woman concerts since my first one in the spring of 2007 in Albuquerque. I took my then 9 year old niece to that show to expose her to women in performing arts with dignity and class. These women are marvelous role models and simply lovely people inside and out. Their supporting cast are equally talented and nice folks too! In that year I saw them at that show as well as two nights to end that tour in the fantastic Red Rocks amphitheater outside Denver. I was then blessed to make my first trip to Ireland and experience the recording of their beautiful Christmas concert. Later that year I took friends to their show in Omaha on their short fall tour. So, five shows in all.

In 2008 I was blessed to have attended even more shows. First was the show in Birmingham and my first meet & greet. I was swept up and blown away by the show and the wonderful meeting with my muse Mairead. Her kindness that night simply took my breath away. She and the others are humble, gentle, and gracious people whose excellence and success has not gone to their heads. I followed that show by another in Rockford Illinois and another meeting with Mairead. She is simply the most charming of people. At these two meet and greets I'd also met Lynn and Orlagh. Both very gifted and sweet. The next show was Duluth. An amazing night before the show had me sharing drinks for a few hours with two members of their band and one of the accompanying male group. Fine men and great conversation. I was truly honored to be included. Another show and then a meeting with Lynn and Alex. The next show was Toledo but no meet & greet. However, it was a gathering of a lot of forum people who are wonderful. I also wrote a record for me of ten poems in one day at a table in the hotel lobby that seemed to be channeling. I wrapped up that tour at Phoenix and Bakersfield with good seats but no more meetings. So, six more shows, and eleven in all now.

Now here we are in 2009. The Mairead forum is over a year old and thriving with great people within it and the very kind public support of the one we honor and support. They are now halfway through a very long and busy tour schedule. They give their all every night and must be exhausted at times. Yet they are wonderful professionals and each audience is blessed. The shows in previous years were based upon their A New Journey video filmed at Slane Castle in Ireland. This year they have a new, and very moving show called Isle Of Hope. It is a beautiful tribute to America's role in the lives of the Irish over the years. It retains the best of the previous show and adds beautiful new elements and pieces. You simply must experience it to fully appreciate the creative genius of all involved led by David Downes and everyone on stage and behind it. I too am now halfway through my tour stops.

So far I have attended the dress rehearsal in Evansville which had a limited audience. We were the first to see this new show and to comment upon it. A couple of technical glitches were of no consequence to the audience as the material, costumes, and stage aspects were beyond beautiful. The meet and greet afterwards were with Lynn and Alex who were the ones from my last meet & greet the previous tour. Lynn has grown into her role fully and her selections are marvelous. Carolina Rua is simply not to be missed, and she is accompanied by the effervescent Mairead in this rather Latin frolic. Alex also is a shining star and the selections for her fit her dramatic experience. She has really grown on me and many others. Both are cover songs but are well suited to her. She does a wonderful arrangement of You'll Be In My Heart accompanied by Nick on drums. He is putting his own band's (Extreme Rhythm) touch to his great percussion here and it pays off. Lisa is still there and knocks them dead with her signature piece The Voice which has the delightful Mairead on stage with her. Then there is Chloe. Her voice is fuller, more mature, and reminds me a bit now of their former member Meav. She does a beautiful cover song called When You Believe that has now become my personal theme song for this past couple of years. All this has been a matter of faith and trust that God has me on the right path. Chloe touches me very deeply with this song. Mairead retains roles she acquired in the previous show and seems nearly ever present even when not on stage. She has a new piece called The Coast Of Galicia which is a vibrant, Latin swirl through your heart and soul. As if she needed any more ammunition to shoot into my heart! At concert after concert I listen to the audience as I'm leaving and it has never changed. At least 3/4 of the comments I hear are about Mairead. How does she do that, they ask. The superlatives just flow from folks. No stick in the mud traditionalists and no media critic can detract from the artistry and accomplishments of Mairead on parade. She can do trad with the best of them as well as classics. No one does what she does the way she does it and ever could. Yet she is humble and knows her role is equal to that of everyone else on that stage. She and the others are team players and you can tell. The stage, the lighting, the costumes (thank you Lord that Mairead remains in white), all add to the artists the elements needed to make this the best buy in entertainment. Especially if you do a meet & greet.

My next show this tour was in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania at an event worked on for months by members of the Mairead forum. We billed it as MaireadFest and there was a very large gathering of forum fans and we acquired new ones that night too. It was designed to honor this most amazing of violinists as well as to bring together a delightful autistic girl with her role model Chloe. By all accounts it was a most special night for fan and artist alike. The cooperation of Celtic Woman in making this happen was perhaps the greatest positive public relations act with their fans they have ever done. The Mairead forum is very grateful for that special night never to be forgotten. I followed that show with my first visit to the big apple. Two nights at the incredible Radio City Music Hall. Wow! The ensemble was so energized and my pit seats so good. That is something special too. The interaction from the stage with these artists is almost constant and so important in acquiring and then keeping avid supporters. A wink, a wiggle, a nod, and a smile directed at you can just make every dollar spent so worthwhile. We had all five girls at the meet & greets both nights. It was perfect in obtaining things for forum members who may never get the chance at autographs, and I as a forum leader was duty bound to help with that. Next up a few nights later was Baltimore for two nights, including St. Patrick's Day, at the lovely Hippodrome theater. Again, a perfect venue. Arenas are for monster trucks and rodeo not Celtic Woman. Some places have no choice in that and pull it off very well such as at Wilkes-Barre. Again, five girl meet & greets which was a wonderful surprise.

As of last night I am halfway through my scheduled tour stops having attended in Dallas at the fine Nokia Theater. The crowd was terrific and as happens the artists and audience fed off each other. More importantly though was that it was Mairead's birthday. Her forum simply had to be there. Yet, only I and another couple were there from her forum. Well, the crowd was juiced and didn't need any prompting from us. Yet I used our forum created (thank you Elaina) fiddler crossing sign often with Happy Birthday Mairead written on the back of it. Again, wonderful interactions from the stage and a delightful meeting with Lisa and Lynn afterwards. Mairead had a volume of birthday gifts delivered by me on behalf of her forum and its members. Lynn too, much to her surprise received gifts from her forum for her birthday on the 21st. Yeah, you're loved too and don't forget it Lynn! So, seven shows so far this tour and seven more planned culminating in the tour finales at Red Rocks which will be very well attended by forum folks. Then it remains to wait on the eagerly anticipated DVD recording of this new show. I can't wait. Neither can my credit card! Well, few things are worth it in this life. Mairead and her friends at Celtic Woman certainly are. Good for frequent flier miles too!

So, this wraps up my first blog post, er, novel. Hey, I'm a writer! Do yourself a favor and pick up some Celtic Woman DVDs, CDs, or attend a show. Pick up the CDs of the individual artists past and present too. Visit the various official sites as well as the various artist's forums. You'll be glad you did! Fill your life with beautiful music, and positive people. There are no dark clouds when Mairead is around! Sometimes it looks like she's chasing them away with her bow. We like to call it pixie dust in her forum. Speaking of which, pick up the Disney movie Tinkerbelle where Mairead plays a key role on the soundtrack. She'll be on the next one too which is in he works! Can you ever have enough? Not this guy. God bless you Mairead and all the great artists that share the stage with you. God bless you too Olivia for the marvelous gifts of song including the eight so far set to my lyrics. You're a rising star of the antipodes. Thanks also to the wonderful forum friends I've met and work with. These artists attract the best and bring out the best in all those who live in the light.

God's peace, Scott/moscapoet