Jenny Hval's song "Six Red Cannas" is a poetic and abstract reflection on the power of art and music to connect with spirits and awaken the dead. The song is inspired by the iconic artist Georgia O'Keeffe, who was known for her vivid paintings of flowers and landscapes. Hval imagines herself writing to O'Keeffe, much like Joni Mitchell wrote to Amelia Earhart in her song "Amelia." As Hval drives through the desert in New Mexico, she sees red cannas in the sky and feels a sense of spiritual awakening. She imagines the flowers opening the zipper between the physical world and the spirit world, and releasing all kinds of spirits. The song references various dates and historical events, suggesting that these spirits may be from the past. Hval also touches on the geological history of the area, noting that it used to be under water and referencing the Clovis points - ancient hunting tools discovered in the region. Overall, the song is a poetic exploration of the power of art and nature to connect us with the past and awaken our sense of spirituality.
