Spinning Islands

“White conch shell” drawn with colored pencils on textured pper by Sandy Ross Bender on June, 2015.
“Spinning Islands” composed and performed with vocals and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on June 14, 2026.

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I am going down to the Florida Keys,

Where hurricanes abound,

Spinning islands like a string of pearls, 

Wind sweeping waves into the sound.

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Mangroves and hardwood hammocks,  

Encircling the reef periphery,

Moonshine turning turquoise tides,

A wind quartet in lunar synchrony.

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I am not searching for sunken treasure,

In the deep blue depths, divers plumb.

I am looking for seashells that sparkle,

Along the shifting beaches, I comb,

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We could share a pail of whelks and cowries,

That drift in with the evening tide,

Gaze into conches and mother of pearl mollusks,

Discovering the sea, side by side.

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Lyrics and music – Sandy Ross Bender, June 14, 2026

Odyssey

“Odyssey” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender in Santorini, Greece .
“Drifting downriver” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and crash cymbal by Sanford Ross Bender on March 4, 2026.

Time is running out

“Great Horned Owl” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender.
“Time is running out” composed and performed with guitar, banjo, and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on April 27, 2026.

Tears

“Young child” drawn with blue pencil on paper by Sanford Ross Bender in 1985.
“Tears” composed and performed with concertina, clarinet, and piano by Sanford Ross Bender on March 8, 2026.

Head in the clouds

“Pondering on Monday morning” drawn with pen and ink, and colored pencils on paper by Sanford Ross Bender on February 5, 2026
“Head in the clouds” composed and performed wioth concertina and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on March 2, 2026.

Battle cry

“Warthog” drawn with colored pencil on paper by Sanford Ross Bender on January 23, 2026.
“Battle cry” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and percussion on February 21, 2026.

A complicated soul

“Persistence of the composer” drawn with pencil by Sandy Ross Bender.
“A complicated soul” composed and performed with clarinet, concertina, and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on February 13, 2026.

Sentient beings

“Pink elephant” drawn with colored pencil by Sandy Ross Bender in travel sketchbook.
“Sentient beings” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on January 16, 2026.

Her poise and grace

“Listening woman” drawn with colored pencils over writing in ink” on December 28, 2014.
“Her poise and grace” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and clarinet by Sanford Ross Bender on January 9 & 10, 2026.

Fairytale

“Barred owl” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender
“Fairytale” composed and performed with guitar and anglo concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on January 6, 2026.