I have a confession. While I am a huge baseball fan and I love jazz, I have never seen a Ken Burns’ documentary. But I am about to. I recently heard Ken on a podcast and hearing him talk about the making of a documentary had me completely entranced. His complete immersion into the topic is astounding of course, but more than that, his words gripped me. The language that he used to paint the picture was astounding. I was reminded of the power of words to spin a web of intrigue.
I just finished listening to the audible version of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I was transported to the marsh. I could hear the thunderstorms rolling in, the sound of the wings of the gulls and the chirps of the insects, the sounds the different boats made as they cut through the water and it transported me.
Then I heard Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight in my headset as I waited for an inconsequential appointment. The words and the music enveloped me. Without regard for my surroundings I found myself swaying to the music and feeling the passion of the words. It was a profound experience and when the song was over I snapped back to life and thought, “I am really glad that doesn’t happen often.”
And I thought back to the podcast with Ken Burns, the recent book and realized, it does happen often. Words are powerful and transformative when delivered by incredible talent. I was humbled.
Edie Rodetsky 