I Said to a Cab Driver…
by Steven McCabe
First a bit of background: I’ve been wearing a cast on my leg and foot for over 40 days. Xrays tomorrow. I’ll find out how well the 7 screws (and my body’s healing processes) have done their job.
Had surgery on May 31st. Pushed through and had my book launch on June 12th with Never More Together. My friend William Beauvais played classical guitar. Mother Nature cooperated during a week of rain & gave us a glorious evening on the ‘Tango Palace Coffee Company’ patio. I was exhausted yet enjoyed it all.
During the last 44 days regular life has come to a standstill. Getting from point A to B is laborious. Summer plans changed. One notable illusion dissipated, a couple of very hopeful (creative) ideas germinated, names and faces came (via telephone and in person) out of the past, I met many kind people and had interactions I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve come to the simple conclusion that (living in) the universe gives us experiences and it’s up to us to make of them what we will.
And yet I’m also puzzled by synchronicity. The why of what, the what of when, the when of why. This seems to exist of its own volition. Unless the self has the power to mysteriously will coincidental events into existence. Paging Dr. Jung…
The first four drawings from my sketchbook are from a planned series showing facial profiles as well as a spiral motif. Again I return to Jung’s quote that in times of crisis humanity returns to primal symbols. The final page is post-accident and shows the symbol but not a profile. It has a different feel to it. The drawings from ‘before’ seem to be describing an immersion, or perception of reality. The most recent drawing seems to be aiming. Has ‘experiencing perception’ been replaced by a direct line of reception? Is this what pain does?
Oh yes, the cab driver (I’ve taken a lot of cabs lately).
I’m weary of the war we see in the world. The justifications which are deceptions. The profits driving this machine. The innocent victims. I said to a cab driver women should be running the world. Not patriarchal women like Margaret Thatcher or Hillary Clinton but women in sync with the spirits of trees and water who care about the future world for all children. He fell silent. I might have said something about witches. I’m sure I did.
Was I perhaps drawing witches all along?
poemimage 
haha, sense of humour’s still intact … “I might have said something about witches.” Best wishes for the Xrays showing great things!
Hi Nar, Yes I think by the time I got to the idea of witches my friendly cab driver was frowning. :- ) I was thinking ‘Starhawk’ but who knows what images flashed through his mind! X rays showed good progress, thanks!
I hear you Steven and have empathy. What shifts us from the familiar often offers unexpected gifts. The creative female energy that was rejected so long ago now returns. The world needs this and always has. Your images and words question confluence and how pain connects us to synchronous feelings…I believe you are right in this, to question, but also to answer in truth, that it does, I’ve been there and experienced the same. Be well my friend, heal and learn from the healing…
Hi John, thank you for this empathy. I’m a slow learner and sometimes have to be hit over the head (preferably with a feathered pillow to an iron column but in this case it seems to be a broken ankle) for things to sink in. :- )
Best of luck with the x-rays, Steven. Your drawings are so arresting, and i totally agree with you about war! There are so many pathetic, short-sighted, mendacious, egotists in power, backed by psychopathic corporations. How did we let this happen?
Hi Richard, thank you about the drawings. I’m happy with these. We had good news with the X rays. I think we are at the tail end of a long (sad) saga of how power (both human and earthly) is used and hopefully we can turn it around.
Good to see you here Steven !… My ears perked up to hear you say ” Has ‘experiencing perception’ been replaced by a direct line of reception? Is this what pain does?”… You’re my “poster person” for perception is physical rather than seated in the slippery “mind”… rock the x-rays xxoo
Hi Jana, I remember now your ideas/feeling about experiencing things physically. Yes we rocked the X-rays.
All good news. Have you heard of ‘rolfing?’
Very good news, Steven! Sure, I’m familiar with rolfing, but it’s a bit rough for my taste. I’m more inclined towards something like yin yoga in working with the fascia. Swimming laps, though, seems to be the best all round smooth out the kinks technique for me. Are you contemplating rolfing since your injury?
Yes, good news with the healing. Now to wear an ‘air cast’ for a month and relearn putting weight on the foot. I experienced ‘rolfing’ long ago and it reminded me of your thoughts about feeling/experiencing with the body. From your previous posts assumed you would be familiar with it and possibly a ‘rolfee.’
No, not a rolfie, Steven…I’m a gardener. Used to be more of one physically, but now I swim. For me jumping in the water and just swimming is a way of processing all the puzzles presented by my creative explorations. Water is so mutable and informing. When I’m quiet enough, I’m more apt to get to the heart of it.
I really like the final drawing … in this particular sequence the profiles reversed and the whirling clockwise spirals have air cast written all over them.
I have to agree with Jack’s comment though… “Why not cut out the middle man, and just let trees run the show? ” … What an idea
Thank you Jana. ‘Getting to the heart of water’ (while in it). Somehow this fascinating thought fits right in with the other discussions on this thread. I very much appreciate your thought on the drawing. Yes, a great thought from Jack. Let the trees run the show. I’m all for that!
Hi Steven. I am glad to hear that you are recovering. You have some heavy duty numbers in this post about your experience with your ankle: 40 days, 44 days, 7 screws, the 12th of June. The 31st of May, isn’t symbolic, but it does happen to be my birthday!
I can’t help but associating pain with a form of death, and death with resurrection and new life. Jacob got blessing, new purpose, a new name and a limp. I am hopeful for you, coming through this, Steven. Already you are cultivating the seedlings of the provision through pain.
As for the drawings: I have always admired the cubist concept of absorbing multiple views and perspectives into a single image. I feel like your drawings are kind of like an exploded cubism, or a dissected/ mapped out essay on the nuances of perspective- and not just spacial, but time, spirit, memory, etc…
They are like a vision quest, first prophetically, then after the fire of the ordeal.
Why not cut out the middle man, and just let trees run the show?
Hi Jack, Very interesting your birthday is in there. I certainly celebrated it in style! Happy belated! Interesting to view those numbers from your perspective. I wonder now if Jacob wrestled with numbers/configurations/possible equations. Yes, a new identity. I need to consider this very thoughtfully.
Your thoughts on the drawings adds a gravitas: guiding cubism and spirit quest through a similar labyrinth.
I love the idea of trees running the show! What a fantastic thought! thank you for all this.
Glad I found your site, I love your drawings, and the way you see things, look forward to reading more.
Thanks very much.
Steven, your drawings are breathtaking. I’m glad your hands are not broken. : )
We live in a world of extreme conflict and beauty, going back and forth between – it is very wearying, worrying… Thank goodness for Art. And cabdrivers, I guess – what a great title.
Best wishes to you! x
Karen, thank you so much for your thoughts about the drawings. I really appreciate this. I too am glad my hands are not broken. 🙂
Yes, thank goodness for Art. And cabdrivers, art drivers…
Thank you for your visit and words.
Steven the drawings are lovely as always and glad to finally catch up and hear that your leg injury is healing well – a forced curtailment of mobility and freedom is a real eye opener for many and makes us really appreciate the gift of unhindered movement. Cab drivers are often interesting characters with a pretty unique world view (their own) !! but maybe witches should rule the world ….. I’m pretty sure they could do a better job than the current mob.
Thank you Veronica for your thoughts on the drawings. Yes the injury is healing and I have to admit I’m rather amazed at both the slowness and the speed of it all. And you are right, coming to a full stop makes one appreciate unhindered movement. Even to marvel at somebody walking down the street in a carefree manner. And also gives one time to reflect.
wait ’til you can skip again 🙂
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