From a remarkable collection of letters about spring at Letters of Note.

The spring is coming. Yesterday the lambs were dancing, and the birds whistled, the doves cooed all day down at the farm. The world of nature is wonderful in its revivifying spontaneity. But oh God, the world of man—who can bear any more? I can’t bear any more of mankind. One can only lapse. At any rate, the cooing of the doves is very real, and the blithe impertinence of the lambs as they peep round their mothers. They affect me like the Rainbow, as a sign that life will never be destroyed, or turn bad altogether.

I keep hoping now for an intimation of spring in the heart of mankind, new world to come. Do you catch any signs? As soon as I do, I shall come forth. One waits in a strange expectancy. I suppose we have our hour for coming out, like everything else.

—The Collected Letters of D. H. Lawrence, Vol.1, edited by James T. Boulton

According to The Writer's Almanac, John Updike gave this account of his creativity—

No amount of learned skills can substitute for the feeling of having a lot to say, of bringing news. Memories, impressions, and emotions from your first 20 years on earth are most writers' main material; little that comes afterward is quite so rich and resonant. By the age of 40, you have probably mined the purest veins of this precious lode; after that, continued creativity is a matter of sifting the leavings.

Seems like a pretty good description of aging, too.

Now listening to this week's playlist at American Routes, Compared to What? The site says "It’s no secret these are troubled times regarding the role of government, political attacks and secrecy in a nation in conflict with itself. We asked our listeners to help pick music and musicians that deal with the troubles we’re facing." Just the thing to accompany me while I'm writing about the mess in which we find ourselves.

We do not escape into philosophy, psychology, and art—we go there to restore our shattered selves into whole ones.

Anais Nin via theorderofpenofficial

The spring series of David Dubal's Piano Evenings has begun. In the program this week were performances, by Brielle Perez, of Turina's Danzas Fantasticas and, by Hongbo Cai, of the Choral et Variations by Henri Dutilleux. David Dubal has introduced me to many exciting performers and to much great music. Here's two more examples.