I had the opportunity to hear a fantastic musician Friday night at a house concert sponsored by a friend. His name is Erik Balkey and bills himself as a "traveling house painter and poet." I can't attest to his house painting skills, but he is a fantastic poet. Each of his songs are a short story, drawn from observation and what must be a vivid imagination. He tackles social issues not by railing against them, but by sharing stories.

He introduces characters that one wants to meet and creates worlds that draw one in.