The Michigan Daily - Monday, September 12, 1988 - Page .14 A Little Book on the Human Shadow IBy Robert Bly Edited by Wiliam Booth Harper and Row $12.95/hardcover The latest collection of Robert Bly's work, A Little Book on the Human Shadow, is indeed little - 81 pages to be exact - but very large in scope, thanks to the efforts of editor William Booth. Robert Bly has never been known as a pleasant poet. As Booth says in his introduction to the collection, "What Robert Bly's poetry readings say in effect is, 'You must change your life."' This collection of readings, an interview that Booth had with Bly, along with one of Bly's essays on Wallace Stevens, is a more emphatic, direct assault because Bly's powerful poems are intermingled with his direct, no- nonsense exposition. In this collection Bly undertakes the idea of the "shadow" - what Jung described as the unconscious and others call the dark repressed side of the ego - that he has been occupied with for all these years to create a simple but lucid look at a potentially complicated philosophical and psychological issue. The title of the first section, "Problems in the Ark," refers to the place where Bly sees the problems of darkness beginning - "We divide animals in the Ark into good and bad ...." Bly casts fleeting, thoughtful shadows of his own experiences and broadens his view to cover societies and cultures. Bly is particularly good at addressing the way society represses what it sees as its dark side. Even more impressively, Bly does not speak only of predominantly white Ili li 1 I T M 1 I SI IAVW cultures. He writes of the Yin-Yang as an attempt to reconcile the dark side and the light side within one' s personality and criticizes the United States for its unyielding, ethnocentric view of the world. "If the American drama begins with the Puritans killing turkeys, then Kissinger's and Nixon's bombing of Cambodia takes place in the third act. The South Asians, representing a civilization more reconciled to the moist dark than ours, merged . with ghostly Cherokees or Crows far down in our psyche." He concludes this notion with a poetic affront - "We distrust every person on earth with black hair/ We send teams to overthrow Chief Joseph's government/ We train natives to kill Presidents with blowdarts/ We have men loosening the nails on Noah's ark." In the second section, "The Long Bag We Drag Behind Us," Bly's thoughts move swiftly - this time through images - almost to the point of confusion. He jumps from image to image, from individual experiences to political problems, without any clear connection. But this seem to be the point that Bly is making- the repression of darkness runs rampant, among both individuals and cultures, and is directly connected, so connected that it cannot be separated into a coherent pattern of occurrences. His most moving image is that of "the long bag we drag behind us., Bly begins with the two year old child: "Energy radiated out from all parts of our body and all parts of our psyche. A child running is a living globe of energy. We had a ball of energy, all right; but one day we noticed that our parents didn't like certain parts of that ball ... Behind us we have an invisible bag, and the part of us our parents don't like, we, to keep our parents' love put in the bag." He continues with the metaphor until the person becomes an adult: "So I maintain that out of a round globe of energy the twenty-year-old ends up with a slice. We'll imagine a man who has a thin slice left --- the rest is in the bag - and we'll imagine that he meets a woman ... She has a thin, elegant slice left. They join each other in a cermony, and this union of two slices is called marriage. Even together the two do not make up one person!" The next section gives Bly's five- step plan for retrieving one's shadow. None of the steps break any new ground in terms of ideas, but in terms of relaying these ideas to the reader, Bly's scenarios are much clearer and evocative than any psychobabble could ever be. The final sections - an interview with Bly by the editor and Bly's essay "Wallace Stevens and Dr. Jekyll" - are more in-depth and thus more difficult than the other sections, and for someone reading about the idea of the shadow for the first time, they could be somewhat threatening in comparison with the rest of the collection. The best approach to take with A Little Book on the Human Shadow is to savor the images and ideas of the first three sections, come back to those three, and then move onto the final two. They'll be worth the wait and the trouble. -Lisa Magnino Records Continued from Page 9 outside help - like the jangly "Anchorage," mangled by a schmaltzy arrangement - others benefit greatly, like "Black Widow," given a baroque richness by Kristina Olson's hammer dulcimer. Through her use of a variety of characters and voices, Shocked goes beyond the literal heavyhandedness that does in many folk lyricists. On "Black Widow," the album's musical and lyrical standout, the narrator expresses her pain, not through a litany of self-pity, but by empathizing with a spider ("Is it the loneliness of the night/That makes you reach out and bite/ The unsuspecting flesh/... You poor, poor, suffering murderess'). Unfortunately, people will probably spend too much time trying to figure out what label to slap on Short Sharp Shocked to realize its musical and narrative power. It's too bad; whether you care to "place in pop/rock section" or not, by all means "place in record collection." -Jim Poniewozik The Weather Prophets Judges, Juries & Horsemen Relativity/Creation Ignore the title of this album. Ignore the free-verse, evils-of-show- business poem on the inner sleeve. Ignore the back jacket photo of the band standing outside their parked van at the side of a road at dusk, with a sunbeam silhouetting them as if preparing them for assumption into heaven. Ignore everything which tells you that this is just another forty minutes of highbrow, bland sermonizing and Poetry 101 lyricism by a bunch of so-serious Brits with $25 haircuts - this is actually an album of more substance than style. The band plays on the tension between its raw, sparse arrangements and singer/guitarist Pete Astor's mellifluous voice. Smooth and slick; as vitamin D milk spilled on a linoleum kitchen floor, it is nonetheless able both to evoke heartbreaking tenderness on "Never Been As Good" and "Born Inbetween" and to eerily set off the gray, gritty guitar of "Bury Them Deep." But the cool reserve of Astor's vocals doesn't extend to his guitar playing, which, though kept leashed ty for much of the album, explodes into life without warning in the form of the upbeat riff driving the That Petrol Emotion-like toe-tapper "Hollow Heart" and the bluesy solo on "Poison Mind" - smoky and fluid enough to make Glenn Frey break his Stratocaster out of shame. When the contrast between smoothness and edginess on the album breaks down, however, the. album falters; case in point, the sappy, pick-your-chin-up anthem "Always the Light." But for the most part, the Weather Prophets' musical juxtapositions make for an album as strange and refreshing as rain while the sun's out. -Jim Poniewozik Jane Siberry The Walking Reprise The third amazing LP from this very original avant-pop singer, The Walking proves that Jane Siberry is much more than Canada's answer to England's multitalented Kate Bush. First of all, Siberry seems more of a fellow-traveller to Bush's styles than an imitator. While the somewhat less talented Sinead O'Connor has broken the charts with a debut album tied down to similar post-punk influences, the obscure S iberry 's work elicits myriad stylistic comparisons - but she transcends them all with a distinctive sound and a timeless sense for major-key pop melodies and instrumental arrangements. The Walking is complex enough to intrigue one through repeateI listenings, too varied and eclectic p allow simple descriptions. Let e just say that Sib-erry's beautifu, voice combines the playful vocal stylings of Bush with the beatific melodic lyricism of a Joni Mitche., and her open-ended rhythms and crisp, modern sound bring Peter Gabriel's So to mind. Her lyrics arc more picturesque than profound, stringing together wildly, impressionistic images. e Sure, as titles like "Lena is White Table" suggest, Siberry ha got strange tendencies--but not just for the sake of being avant-garde. Her quirks manifest themselveg not as reactions against pop stylings but re-arrangements of pop elemen into forms that express unusual, wide-ranging moods; thus,Th'e Walking could well be accessible even the mainstream listener. The more conventional pieces, such ag "The White Tent the Raft" and "Red High Heels," are simply gorgeous and unforgettable pop songs distinguished by incredibly dens writing and creative song structures.,, Siberry'sThe Walking i~ worthwhile as the colorful work of an uncommonly fertile; uncompromised musical imagin= ation. This woman has established 4 medium of expression in thepo medium completely her own. -Michael Fischer BEAARWTJNW :".JOIN TheStudenTV' blicftion"' ::.:.::.:::::::4:::0:..M ayna.......d. 9 F The Calendar of The University of Michigan The calendar combines meeting, lecture, workshop, and conference announcements with other events happening each week on campus. It is based on The University Record calendar, and is open to all University sponsored groups and organizations recognized by the Michigan Student Assembly. Items must be submitted in writing by 5 p.m. the Tuesday before publication. Address all information to: Marcia Bennett, publications assistant, University Record, 412 Maynard St. Asterisk (*) denotes events to which admission is charged. MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12 Integrity--Lesbian-gay male community open house, 8:45 pm, Canterbury House, 218 N Division. 665-0606. *Phys Ed--Classes beg; reg 8 am-4:30 pm, 3050 CCRB. 764-1342. Hatcher Grad Lib-Tours beg, 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, Hatcher Grad Lib. Reg req. 764-0400. Turner Clinic--Writing grp, 1:30-3:30 pm, 1010 Wall St. 764-2556. Univer Lutheran Chapel--Prayer, study & fellowship, 7:30 pm, 1511 Washtenaw. 663-5560. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13 Lesbian & Gay Rights Organizing Committee (LAGROC)--Mtg, 8:30 pm, 3100 Mich Union. 763-4186. Zen Buddhist TeMple--Chanting svc, 7-8 pm, 1214 Packard Rd. 761-6520. Hosp Info Svcs--MCMUG Mtg, J Bell & K Moore, "Microcomputer Data Transfer for Hospital Budgeting," 3-4 pm, Ford Amphi. 936-4900. Hosp Volunteers Prog--Mtg for new volunteers, 7-8 pm, Univ Hosp Amphi. 936-4327. Intl Ctr/Ecumenical Campus Ctr--Forum, G & A Instiful, Report From All Africa Sdt Conf, noon, 603 E Madison. 662-5529. Computing Ctr--Courses: Concepts of Word Processing, 10 am-noon, 4003 SEB; Conf Organizer, 1-5 pm, 3001 SEB. Reg req. 763-7630. Turner Clinic--Divorce after 60, 1:30-4:15 pm, 1010 Wall St, 764-2556. Women's Crisis Ctr--Volunteer info mtg, 1-2 pm, 306 N Division, 761-9475. Christians In Action--Mtg, "The Champion," 8:30 pm, Mich Union Anderson Rm D. 973-6675. Career Plan & Place--Resume Writing Lec, 3:30-5 pm, 1006 Dow; Recruiting Prog Info Session, 5:10-6:30 pm, Angell Hall Aud D; Lec, "Get Involved! The Secret of Your Success," 7-8:30 pm, E Quad Mosher-Jordan & Bursley. 764- 7460. Amnesty Intl--Mtg, 7:30 pm, Mich Union Welker Rm. 971-1674. Men's Glee Club--Mtg, 6:30 pm, Mich Union Pendleton Rm. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBR D14 Computing Ctr--Courses in Rm 3001 SEB: MTS Skills, 9 am-noon, Reg req; Intro to Textedit Pt II, 1-3 pm, Reg req; In Rm 4212 SEB: Intro to Computing, 1-3 pm, Reg req. In MLB Aud 3: Computer Conf Lec/Demo, 4:30-6 pm. 763-7630. Russian & E Europ Stds--In Lane Hall Commons: Brown bag lec, Intro to Grad Lib Collections, noon; Mtg to choose sdt rep, 7 pm. Turner Clinic--Support grp, "New Outlooks," 10 am-noon; Arch std grp, 1-3 pm; Caring for Aging Relatives, 5:30-7:30 pm," 1010 Wall St. 764-2556. Sdt Wdshp--Safety Class for new shop users, Pt I, 3-5 pm, SAB, 763-4025. Career Plan & Place--Lec, "Writing Your CIF," noon-1 pm, CP&P; Intro to CP&P, 4:30-5 pm, CP&P; Recruiting Prog Info Session, 5:10-6:30 pm, Angell Hall Aud B; Lec, "Get Involved! The Secret of Your Success," 7-8:30 pm, Alice Lloyd Couzens S Quad & W Quad. 764-7460. Hillel Fdn--Jewish Feminist Grp Mtg, 7:30 pm, Mich Union Pond Rm; Hill St Cinema Mtg, 8 pm, Mich Union Welker Rm. 769-0500. Hill St Players--Auditions, 4 & 7 pm, Ambatana Lounge S Quad, 769-0500. Univer Lutheran Chapel--Choir rehersal, 7:45 pm; "Holden Village Vespers," 9 pm, 1511 Washtenaw. 663-5560. Dept Psychiatry/UMARC--Sem,C"Under-Recognized Clinical Problems in Alcoholism," 8:30 am, Towsley Ctr. 764-6187. *Amb Care Svcs--Prog, "The Role of Estrogen," 7:30-9 pm, 2200 Green Rd. Reg r e q. 7 6 3- 7 4 8 5. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15 His House Christian Fellowship--Bible study, singing & prayer, 7:30-9 pm, 925 E Ann. United Coalition Against Racism--Mtg, 6 pm, Mich Union. 936-1809. *Zen Buddhist Temple--Intro Meditation Course, 6:30-8:30 pm, 1214 Packard Rd. Reg req. 761-6520. *AMISTAD--Concert, C King, 8 pm, 637 1/2 S Main. U-M Dearborn--Lec, P Koestenbaum, "The Inner Side of Greatness," 3:30 pm; Film, Wall Street, 7:30 pm, Rec & Organiz Ctr. 593-5390. U-M Flint--Bring or buy lunch for Pink Panther Festival, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Univer Ctr Brewery; Film, Broadcast News, 7 & 9:15 pm, Univer Ctr Kiva. 762-3431. Regents--Mtg, 1 pm, Regents' Rm. Hosp Volunteers Prog--Mtg for new volunteers, 4-5 pm, Univ Hosp Rm 2C108. 936-4327. Computing. Ctr--Courses in Rm 3001 SEB: MS-DOS Skills, 9 am-noon; Macintosh Skills, 1-4 pm; Beginning Microsoft Word (IBM PC & Compatibles), 1-5 pm; In Rm 4212 SEB: Concepts of Spreadsheeting, 10 am- noon, Concepts of Database Management, 1-3 pm. Reg req. 763-7630. *Ofc Cont Med Educ--2-day course begs, "Neonatal Emergencies," 8 am-5 pm; 3-day Seminar in Diagnostic Ultrasound begs, Towsley Ctr. Reg req. 763- 1400. Turner Clinic--Shaking the Blues, 1:30-3:30 pm, 1010 Wall St, 764-2556. Sdt Wdshp--Safety Class for new shop users, Pt II, 3-5 pm, SAB, 763-4025. Career Plan & Place--Interviewing Lec, 3:30-5 pm, 1006 Dow; Lec, "Writing Your CIF," 4:10-5 pm, CP&P; Business Intern Mtg, 6-7:30 pm, Rackham Aud; FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16 Gay Liberation--Brothers coffee house, 8 pm, Guild House, 802 Monroe St. 763-4186. Ctr for Japanese Stds--Films, Tokyo-Ga & The Only Son, 7 pm, Lorch Hall Aud. 747-3175. *AAUW--3-day book sale begs, 10 am, Arborland Mall. Arch & Urban Plan--Lec, L Krier, "The Construction of the City," 5 pm, Rackham Lec Hall. 764-1315. Sch of Art--Opening recep for "Creative Endeavors" exhib, 4-6 pm; Slide Show, M Doner, "The Poetics of Public Art," 8 pm, Chrysler Aud, 764-0397. *AAFC--Film, The Manchurian Candidate, 7 & 9:20 pm, MLB3. Regents--Mtg, 9 am, Regents' Rm. U-M Flint--Film. Broadcast News, 7 & 9:15 pm, Univer Ctr Kiva, 762-3431. *ICLE--Wkshp, "Mich Business Corp Act: An Update," 1-3:30 pm, 1020 Greene St. Reg req. 764-0533. Lowbrow Astronomers--Mtg, 7:30 pm, Detroit Observ. 434-5668. Computing Ctr-- Courses in Rm 3001 SEB: Lotus 1-2-3, 8:30 am-12:30 pm; In Rm 4003 SEB: Intro to Authoving Systems for Macintosh, 10 am-noon; In Rm 4212 SEB: MTS Lec/Demo, 10:30 am-noon; Intro to Computing, 1-3 pm, Reg req. 763-7630. Russian & E Europ Stds--Wine & cheese recep, 4:30-7:30 pm, Lane Hall Commons. Turner Clinic--Writing grp, 10 am-noon; Peer counselors mtg, 1-3 pm, 1010 Wall St. 764-2556. Women's Crisis Ctr/Lesbian Prog Ofc--Women's Tea, 5:30-7 pm, 306 N Division. 761-9475. Univer Lutheran Chapel--Video & games, 7 pm, 1511 Washtenaw, 663-5560. Ctr for N East & N Afr Stds--Open house & recep, 4-6 pm, 144 Lane Hall. 764-0350. Dept Astronomy--Lec, D Richstone, "Does The World End With A Bang Or A Whimper?" 8:30 pm, Angell Hall Aud B. Journalism Fellows--Lec, C Gibson, "What's Behind the Weakening of Network Television," 4 pm, Rackham 4th Fl W Conf Rm. 763-2400. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17 *Ruthven Planetarium Thtre--Shows: "A Starry Night," 11:30 am; "Voyager 2 at Uranus," 2 & 3 pm. Nat Sci Mus 4th fl, comer Geddes-Washtenaw. Arch & Urban Plan--Mtg, "City & Suburb," 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Chrysler Engr Ctr. 764-1315. *AAFC--Films, Gimme Shelter, 7 pm; The Grateful Dead Concert, 8:40 pm, Angell Aud A. *Football--U-M vs Miami, 3:30, Mich Stadium. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 Zen Buddhist Temple--Korean svc, 11 am-12:30 pm; Meditation svc, 5-7 pm, 1214 Packard Rd. 761-6520. *Ruthven Planetarium Thtre--Show: "Voyager 2 at Uranus," 2 & 3 pm, Nat Sci Mus 4th fl, comer Geddes-Washtenaw. 764-0478. 4; RI