frisson

The French word frisson actually means "a brief intense reaction, usually a feeling of excitement, recognition, or terror". A sudden passing sensation of excitement, a shudder of emotion while you're reeling from an epic moment. Scientifically, it is a "pleasant tingling feeling, association with the flexing of hair follicles resulting in piloerection (goosebumps you guys!), accompanied by a cold sensation, and sometimes producing a shudder or shiver". We've all felt it; an emotional response when you're deeply affected by things like music, speech, art, or memories.

This is one of my favourite poems ever. You can listen to Gwendolyn Brooks reading it here.

I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You by Yumi Sakugawa in Sadie Magazine

Unsolicited Advice To Adolescent Girls With Crooked Teeth And Pink Hair

When your mother hits you, do not strike back. When the boys call asking your cup size, say A, hang up. When he says you gave him blue balls, say you’re welcome. When a girl with thick black curls who smells like bubble gum stops you in a stairwell to ask if you’re a boy, explain that you keep your hair short so she won’t have anything to grab when you head-butt her. Then head-butt her. When a guidance counselor teases you for handed-down jeans, do not turn red. When you have sex for the second time and there is no condom, do not convince yourself that screwing between layers of underwear will soak up the semen. When your geometry teacher posts a banner reading: “Learn math or go home and learn how to be a Momma,” do not take your first feminist stand by leaving the classroom. When the boy you have a crush on is sent to detention, go home. When your mother hits you, do not strike back. When the boy with the blue mohawk swallows your heart and opens his wrists, hide the knives, bleach the bathtub, pour out the vodka. Every time. When the skinhead girls jump you in a bathroom stall, swing, curse, kick, do not turn red. When a boy you think you love delivers the first black eye, use a screw driver, a beer bottle, your two good hands. When your father locks the door, break the window. When a college professor writes you poetry and whispers about your tight little ass, do not take it as a compliment, do not wait, call the Dean, call his wife. When a boy with good manners and a thirst for Budweiser proposes, say no. When your mother hits you, do not strike back. When the boys tell you how good you smell, do not doubt them, do not turn red. When your brother tells you he is gay, pretend you already know. When the girl on the subway curses you because your tee shirt reads: “I fucked your boyfriend,” assure her that it is not true. When your dog pees the rug, kiss her,

apologize for being late. When he refuses to stay the night because you live in Jersey City, do not move. When he refuses to stay the night because you live in Harlem, do not move. When he refuses to stay the night because your air conditioner is broken, leave him. When he refuses to keep a toothbrush at your apartment, leave him. When you find the toothbrush you keep at his apartment hidden in the closet, leave him. Do not regret this. Do not turn red. When your mother hits you, do not strike back.

The White Stripes- We're Going To Be Friends

\

Johnny Cash- Hurt

I

Well God is
love
so love me

God
is love so
love me God

is
love so love
me well

II
Love the sun
comes
up in

the morning
and
in

the evening
zippy zappy
it goes

III
We watched
a red rooster
with

two hens
back
of the museum

at
St. Croix
flap his

wings
zippy zappy
and crow
- "Calypsos" by William Carlos Williams

Nirvana- Seasons in the Sun