Pious was released one year ago and I, Kenn Bivins, was an unknown name in the literary field. There were no assurances to potential readers that my debut novel was worth their dime or time. Dozens of glowing reviews, book club features, top novel lists and a year later, one could say that Pious has done quite well in leading my foray into telling stories with words. Continue reading →
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Spencer Bivins is 13
Spencer Bivins, my youngest, is not-so-young today, as he officially enters the awkward and pubescent world of teenager-dom. Continue reading →
thrive
I’ve not stopped listening to Switchfoot’s new set, Vice Verses since the album was released this past Tuesday. The sheer honesty and reflection from one particular song, Thrive, falls in line with a chapter I just finished from my upcoming novel, The Wedding and Disaster of Felona Mabel.
No, I’m not alright
I know that I’m not right
A steering wheel doesn’t mean you can drive
A warm body doesn’t mean I’m aliveNo, I’m not alright
I know that I’m not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive.
kids these days…
Kenn Bivins II, not to be confused with his much older father (me), has been nominated for homecoming court at Campbell High School. Continue reading →
vice verses
Today, my buds, Jon, Tim, Chad, Jerome and Drew (collectively known as Switchfoot) have released Vice Verses, their 8th studio album. The thematic core of Vice Verses is that “every blessing comes with a set of curses” and according to them, this idea is the polarity of life.
I’ve made my mistakes
I’ve seen my heart cave in
I got my scars
I’ve been to hell and back again
Continue reading →
we all got a space 2 fill
My iPod is a non-conforming cacophony of musical variance and surprises. This morning, as I was listening to the randomness of my taste in tunes, an old goodie comes on – “Pop Life” by Prince. Most of you know it when you hear it. The lyrics are something like
What’s the matter with your life?
Is the poverty bringing U down?
Is the mailman jerking U ’round?
Did he put your million dollar check
In someone else’s box?
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The rules are not the same for everyone. This has become increasingly real for me over the past few years. Sometimes, I feel like I’m in a weird Bizarro world where up is down and right is wrong. But I dare not mention this unsettled nature to those around me, for I will be singled out as an agitator or a troublemaker. Or maybe just stupid.
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a short story I recall from my childhood. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen. These two weavers promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes that will be invisible to any of his subjects who are stupid, incompetent or unfit for their positions. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, everyone comments on how lovely his new clothes are, for fear that they don’t wish to be singled out as unworthy. But amongst the deceiving crowd, an innocent child is confused why so many people are complimentary of clothes that the Emperor clearly is not wearing, so he cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!”
Lately, I’ve been feeling like that kid. (sigh)
fall in
tonight’s the night, Jupiter will rock
we’re halfway there, autumnal equinox
day and night are equal, again
yin and yang and us akin
spring, I fell forward
but now I just Fall in. Continue reading →
new way to Fall
My fingers have become more articulate
At the idea that you they may touch
My nostrils flair and filter out random flavorings
For your scent and zephyr is near
My tongue had suffered that which was insipid
While the advent of you was pending
Colors I have not known for many seasons
And your foliage, they startle me into an awakened state
I want to disturb your pile of leaves
And heed the chorus that my entry provokes
My imagination, now amplified by your brisk touch,
Seeks a covering or a blanket but not for the sake of isolation
Instead for the sake of insulation
Protecting, loving, comforting, reminding
With your unprecedented, familiar unfamiliar
I have learned to Fall
In new ways.
kenn.
