Kathleen Johnson
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Kathleen Johnson teams up here with soulmate Dorothy Parker in an asynchronous collaboration that combines Ms. Parker’s poetry with Kathleen’s music and vocals. A shivery tingle where sour meets sweet.

In “Indian Summer” Kathleen lounges atop the piano in a smoky nightclub, with an unsubtle tip jar beside her, primed with a $100 bill. It’s a torch song that’s extinguished quickly, flipping the script from the shifting sands of youth to wiser and solider ground in later years: the 1920s version of no longer giving any…. 

Indian Summer

In youth, it was a way I had
To do my best to please,
And change, with every passing lad,
To suit his theories. 

But now I know the things I know,
And do the things I do;
And if you do not like me so,
To hell, my love, with you!

…………

In “Verse for a Certain Dog,” Kathleen hops off the piano, changes into red vestments, and takes her spot in the choir loft in the Church of Dog. This is a hymn for all the canines and their companions out there. Congregation, please howl along with the refrain, on page K9 of your song book which you’ll find in your pew. 

Thank you from The Church of Latter Day Saint Bernards.

Verse for a Certain Dog

Such glorious faith as fills your limpid eyes,
Dear little friend of mine, I never knew.
All-innocent are you, and yet all-wise.
(For heaven’s sake, stop worrying that shoe!)
You look about, and all you see is fair;
This mighty globe was made for you alone.
Of all the thunderous ages, you’re the heir.
(Get off the pillow with that dirty bone!)

A skeptic world you face with steady gaze;
High in young pride you hold your noble head;
Gayly you meet the rush of roaring days.
(Must you eat puppy biscuit on the bed?)
Lancelike your courage, gleaming swift and strong,
Yours the white rapture of a wingèd soul,
Yours is a spirit like a May-day song.
(God help you, if you break the goldfish bowl!)

“Whatever is, is good,” your gracious creed.
You wear your joy of living like a crown.
Love lights your simplest act, your every deed.
(Drop it, I tell you—put that kitten down!)
You are God’s kindliest gift of all,—a friend.
Your shining loyalty unflecked by doubt,
You ask but leave to follow to the end.
(Couldn’t you wait until I took you out?)