It's no secret that I'm in love with Ezra Furman. And I don't mean that in a crush kind of way, a fantasy kind of way, not even in a stalker kind of way. I mean I saw God look into my eyes at an Ezra Furman concert, in January of 2011, and I still hear God in every Ezra Furman song I hear. This is especially noteworthy because I don't believe in God. But I believe in music. And I believe in poetry. And I believe that every human being contains the limitless potential for indestructible joy, which is more popularly known as God.
Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda says this: "The eyes of a poet discover in each person a unique and irreplaceable humanity. White arrogant intellect seeks to control and manipulate the world, the poetic spirit bows before its mysteries."
Ezra Furman is such a poet, embracing the oddities and nuances that make the most marginalized individuals the most beautiful and interesting. He shines light on dark corners of his own consciousness, not afraid to linger in those places that trouble, disturb, challenge and frighten. With a sharp-witted insight, his music tells me I am not alone. Even more importantly, his music tells me to be fearless in my pain; to confront pain with unyielding determination; to delve in deep, if only for the sake of a song.
I'm not a musician. But I aspire and work towards transforming my life into a song, nonetheless. To break free from self-loathing by immersing myself in it. To express myself honestly and loudly and unapologetically, so someone else might find the courage to do the same. To embrace that which is sensitive and vulnerable in my own being, gaining strength through the unconditional acceptance of all that is.
For those of us for whom life is a struggle, and we are many if not obviously so, the beauty is in the fight. And we ought to recognize our responsibility to create beauty from our struggle, lest our brothers and sisters lose heart and despair. Music is the soul's triumph, art is a life lived courageously. Find your God, within yourself and within others. Name it whatever you choose. Then triumph, and create.
Oh, and check out Ezra's new album, which is utterly masterful. www.ezrafurman.com
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