Encounter (original take, Summer 2026 Demos)

(Yes, my classroom is unbelievably echoey! Eventually I’ll re-record this there with a different device.) The words and vocal melody were mostly written in a sitting—a real moment when not any activity or engagement I could imagine was what I needed. There’s such a temptation to optimize or instrumentalize. Nothing is a rare state of experience to aspire to encounter. Encounter No sipping a coffee, not humming a tune, no mild tea No, not introspecting, no bike ride, not conversation Not a smile on the sidewalk, no dreaming, no book, no scry, darkened room, take no nap, not a poop Not a phone call, no clover park sit, no caps and no sake No, not our river, nor our skatepark, no small, sweet guitar, not my back hot in the sun I can’t substance away future emptiness. Not fixing a fish sandwich, no lemon balm shower, no envisioning her glistening skin No sipping a coffee, not humming a tune The only productive thing sometimes— when nothing finds you. I can’t substance away future emptiness; let nothing find you. The future emptiness —the completion thing. Let nothing find you. June 28, 2026