Seth Koukol

Overlooking the brilliant green Bear River Valley, a yellow blanket of dandelions wrapped the hillside. To the southeast, covered by frozen ice caps, the mountains of the white river range were awakening from their winter slumber. Swollen with the spring runoff, the Yampa River winded beyond; through the high rocky mountain desert of the great divide to the Colorado’s birth. Bees and other insects buzz by, paying no mind, they are hard at work collecting the sweet dandelion nectar. Numerous herds of deer, elk and antelope bulged with playful and curious offspring. In the distance an eagle gracefully soars like a kite in the warm western wind. This heavenly image of home morphs a peaceful loving vibration in my heart. Far, far away in another place and time on a magnificent flood plain called the Mississippi Delta, honeysuckle perfumes the scorching hot and humid summer air. In a sprawling cotton field, a choir of oppressed African natives chant a sorrowful tune. The music penetrates your soul to point, you begin to feel the wave of emotion overcome your unconscious mind. The sound is embedded so deep, every time you get the blues you feel the chant inside you. The sickness spreads throughout your body to your hands where the raw emotion meets strings and all the vibrations of your heart are transformed to vibrations of melody. !