Words & Music

by Mike Power

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  • Joe & Skirl: An Introduction

    Skirl lived in a state of near-perpetual ecstasy. Whenever he tried to pinpoint the reason for this elevated state of mind he returned to the same thought: he couldn’t find a reason to not be ecstatic. He felt tired sometimes, or hungry, or sore, but nothing could dent the impenetrable wall of joy he’d built… Read more

  • Horn & Hardart

    When I first came to New York, there was a Horn & Hardart on the corner of 42nd & 3rd.  I know I’m dating myself (but I think that’s legal in New York now). It was more than a nickel but you get the idea. They closed in 1991. It’s a Gap now. Not that… Read more

  • The Look

    It’s all written in her eyesThe look that cannot be disguisedA look of disappointment and surpriseA look to cut you down to size  A look that means moreThan words can exploreThe look that we invented words forA look that goes straight into the core A look like the scentOf lost innocenceA look so profoundYou’re afraid… Read more

  • Triangle Factory Fire (song) – James Power

    103 years ago today 146 garment workers died in the greatest loss of life in New York City until September 11, 2001: The Triangle Factory Fire. It became a galvanizing moment in the history of labor and the regulation of industry, with familiar arguments still echoing today. From Peter Dreier and Donald Cohen’s piece at Capital and… Read more

  • The First Day of Spring – Published by The Vagabond City Journal

    Here’s a short piece of mine, The First Day of Spring, published today by The Vagabond City Journal. Read more

  • Royals – Bruce Springsteen – Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland 1-3-2014

    I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies And I’m not proud of my address In the torn up town, no post code envy But every song’s like: Gold teeth, Grey Goose, tripping in the bathroom Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashing the hotel room We don’t care We’re… Read more