Patti Smith

Happy Robert Walser birthday. Sending a wave from the Swiss border among the wild flowers and chirping birds. Thinking of Robert Walser who died on Christmas Day, 1956. Below visiting his grave. Photograph by Janine Bub. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

It’s April Fool’s Day. All I can say is the people have the power to wrestle the world from fools. It’s decreed the people rule. Today at this moment the light stirs my senses. I send it to you all with a smile and a song. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss thi...

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript Beneath are shots from Riverside Church to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Democracy Now . Tony and Bruce lead the way to People have the Power. Stay strong and healthy and vigilant. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If y...

TO STREAM: https://www.democracynow.org/live/democracy_now_30th_anniversary_event TONIGHT: Monday, March 23, 2026 Join Amy Goodman, Juan González, Nermeen Shaikh and the entire Democracy Now! family for a special live streaming event at the historic Riverside Church to celebrate 30 years of independent journalism. Special Guests & Performers * Legendary Activist and Scholar Angela Davis * Rock Leg...

Hi everybody, Somehow the video ending while I was still talking. Mostly saying nothing just trying to take a picture from my window. Really just saying hi, snowed in today. Oh I remember. I was saying how much my mom loved watching the Oscars. I am thinking of her and her birthday which is very soon, March 19th. So happy blizzard before spring. Hopefully I will get home tomorrow, but if not I am...

Here is part one of the pictures I took for you in Paris. More to come. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

No words. Just a smile and a wave. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Protect and project the best of your heart. Below is the second photograph I took that morning. Old Polaroid film diffused Michigan light and the slippers of Rudolf Nureyev. ❤️ This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other s...

Hello Everyone, Hope all is well. This is just a little night message and happy birthday James Joyce…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Here is the end of an almost dark tale. Hence the dark lighting. Below is a cabinet picture of the beautiful, melancholic Gérard de Nerval. Today on his passing day I am posting my favorite poem of his that I have loved since a teenager. THE DARK BLOT Le Point noir He who has gazed against the sun sees everywhere he looks thereafter, palpitating on the air before his eyes, a smudge that will not g...

Well I couldn’t find Mulberry Street. I will keep looking. My retelling of a Dr. Seuss masterpiece was inexplicably cut off. I will return in the morrow with the ending. For us there is still tomorrow. For Alex Pretti all his tomorrows were terrifyingly taken away. Tonight there is snow and contemplation, love and prayers for the people of Minnesota. We mourn the state of things, we offer condolen...

Be good have good dreams…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Hello everyone. Below are the books I spoke of… Lazar by Nelio Biedermann is due out in March. Worth the wait…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Hello to my Subscribers, I am set to travel and will be back Saturday. For now I am sending you the audio of prelude of Bread of Angels. I will be answering your questions about it in Michigan if I am able. In any event you will hear from me again soon. Thank you for all your commentary so far. I’ll be rereading them and speaking about any new questions you have sent. Below is a little picture wit...

I’ll be waiting for your questions concerning: The physical book The Prelude The Age of Reason Thank you everyone. I’m looking forward…. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Happy New Year Everybody. I am about to turn in but want to thank you all for all your support, all the birthday well-wishes and all the inspiration our tribe affords me. Have a contented day tomorrow, hold on to the good of being, and rest if possible. Before that, listen to Jimi ring in 1970….. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free...

Hello everyone, Just a brief dreamy message. Yes I’m kind of in a dream state today, but permissible perhaps on one’s birthday. Still recovering a bit but happy to be here and hoping to get productive again very soon. Sometimes we just need a little rest. Have a good day everyone. I will stop by again tomorrow with full swing energy. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and supp...

Wishing all much happiness and peace of mind. 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️ This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Oops it was actually Emily's passing day yesterday. I’m sorry. But it’s still nice to mention Thief’s Journal and Wuthering Heights in the same breath. And have safe, happy and heathy holidays This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Sorry we got cut off. I was just going to say after I finish my December jobs we can start our Smithposium for BOA. This is excessively long but since I had nothing in mind when I started not surprising it never really finished. Have a good night everyone. Sorrow is with us as is rage but serenity is also within the folds of the night. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and su...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Still reeling a bit from last night’s concert at the Beacon. Not much mental energy tonight but since I washed my hair I thought I’d stop by. Not in a very serious mood tonight. So happy we did well at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Happy to say hello to all and good night… A clip from the improv in Land from the Beacon. Warning: strong language. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive...