I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung.
- Rabindranath Tagore

With this, the first e-journal of the relaunch of Heron Dance, I dedicate the work, this publication, to what Robert Henri called the “song from within.” And to my efforts to hear it. And sing it.

There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day when we seem to see beyond the usual-become clairvoyant. We reach then into reality. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest vision. At such times, there is a song going on within us, a song to which we listen. It fills us with surprise. We marvel at it. We would continue to hear it. But few can hold themselves in the state of listening to their song. Intellectuality steps in, and as the song within us is of the utmost sensitiveness, it retires in the presence of the cold, material intellect. It is aristocratic and will not associate itself with the commonplace-and we fall back and become our ordinary selves. Yet we live in the memory of these songs, which in moments of intellectual inadvertence have been possible to us. They are the pinnacles of our experience and it is the desire to express these intimate sensations, this song from within, which motivates the masters of all art.
- Robert Henri, The Art Spirit.

Here's to the song from Within. That shy song that retreats from the commonplace. The song needs downtime and space for emerging. It walks the slower, gentler path.

What does yours have to say, to sing?

Like a little flame, easy to extinguish, needing nurturing, needing recognition. In harmony with that song. I am alive, powerful, happy, and at peace. I live in wondering if I make room for that song.

But it is shy and disappears at the slightest discontinuity. Few are capable of holding themselves in that state of listening. I'm often not. But it is, nevertheless, worthy.

Robert Henri was a prominent artist, writer, and art teacher of the late 1800s and early 1900s. His book is a classic on what it takes to create powerful work.

Listen to the special music, ... the sang that nobody else can sing but you. Your own karma badly lived is better than someone else's karma lived well. (my italics)
- Denise Shekerjian, Uncommon Genius

When you become
a sheet of music without notes,
your song will sing you.
            - John Squadra, This Ecstasy