The Unruly team plunges into the murky world of superstition, taking cues from Greek drama, 19th century prose and onward into the 21st. Irrationality, witchcraft, seances, favorite curses and sayings: superstition is a reaction to our lack of control at times and at others defiance against realities we'd rather not face. A little salt thrown over the shoulder will blind the devil…
Thoughts on superstition from Hypatia, first documented female mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. Born 350-370––died 415 AD.
Song 1: Step On a Crack, written and performed by John V. Modaff (harmonica Dave Merrill, piano/synth Jonathan Modaff)
Poem 1: “After Reading the News this Morning, I Turn to the Curses of My Ancestors: A Found Poem” by Susan Aizenberg from her chapbook First Light (Gilbraltar Editions, 2020). Susan hails from Iowa City, IA. susanaizenberg.wordpress.com
Novel excerpt: “The Séance” from Death of a Department Chair by Lynn C. Miller. University of Wisconsin Press, 2006. https://www.lynncmiller.com/book/death-of-a-department-chair/
Feed the Cat Break, music by John V. Modaff
Poem 2: “Old Matthew’s Last Words,” adapted from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of the Seven Gables, 1851.
Song 2: Where You Going? Written and performed by John V. Modaff
Episode artwork by Lynda Miller
Theme, background and incidental music by John V. Modaff
The Unruly Muse is recorded in Albuquerque NM and Morehead KY. Produced at The Creek Studio.
NEXT UP: The Unruly Muse #14: “Dreams”