Let the Dance Begin

Inspired by the mountains of rain and fog, Peter K. Jain's poetry combines with a photographic collection of Humboldt County, California to foster a communion of nature and spirit. This work records a small piece of Humboldt's legacy. In the canyons of Eden, the dance begins.

Sometimes we are drawn to things we don't know why, and beauty can have something to do with it. The spring of 2001 was a kind of dance with beauty. In April of that year my daughter was born, and things seemed especially beautiful. I was taking a dance class where we were urged to write in a weekly journal. The weeks of dancing with writing (especially after middle-of-the-night bottle feedings) brought forth a series of images and impressions from growing up here on the north coast of California, our beautiful region. Let the Dance Begin was written at that time. 

Thinking back now, the year 2001 began as an optimistic time. The 20th century of so many wars was behind us. The possibilities of human realization seemed closer, and a new era was at hand.  Then came the terrorist attacks of September 11th; things changed; we did the best we could. These pages of writing about dance were set aside.

Sometimes we are drawn to things we don't know why. In 2013 my thirteen year old son was struck dead by a car while walking across a street. Out of my grief and upheaval came a greater appreciation for beauty all around. A first-time interest arose in me to use a camera while seeking healing outdoors. The photos I took brought back the images of dance and nature from thirteen years ago. With the addition of photographs taken by my partner and one salmon photo by naturalist and photographer, Thomas Dunklin, we have this hopeful volume of photographs and poetry created around the birth of my daughter and the death of my son....Let the Dance Begin, Greetings From Humboldt.

The proceeds from the first year of sales will go towards bringing a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Geshe Tenkyong, to Humboldt County. Geshe escaped from Tibet as a child and has studied and taught under the direction of the Dalai Lama in India, Nepal, and Italy. It seems to me that people all around the globe are crying out, working and praying to help make the world a healthier and more peaceful place.  Let the Dance Begin, Greetings From Humboldt is my effort. 

-- Peter K. Jain                                                                                                             

     March 22, 2014