"In my 73 years, I have traveled from the outer edges of myself toward a life at the center, my center. And I’m still traveling, and daring greatly." This. Thank you for this, Lesley...it is perfect for me now.
I looked him up. Interesting man. Zoologist Poet. I like this idea. Taking that step you don’t want to take. For me it was dropping my association with juried quilt exhibitions. Dropping the labels and markers of success.
I hear you about the juried shows. Funny thing is, I got into the Maryland Biennial! I applied on a lark. Botanical art...not a quilt. I took the step!
Thank you for opening a door that I forgot about especially Alexis DeVeaux. When I first started teaching I used this poem as a jigsaw art display. Each group of students took a line from the poem and illustrated what it meant to them. We displayed it at open house. And, David Whyte took me to far off places that I connected to like Annie Dilliard (who?) now I know. And a Haiku master Basho. After I read your piece, I spent the morning writing poetry and memoirs. It felt good. I mean really good. I love poetry because it suits me. Read. Internalize. Look at the world in a different way. Find meaning in the mundane and make it spring to life! Thanks again. So much fun. Oh, and if I were to read David Whyte (if I don't focus then I start looking at everything) what do you suggest? I will end with this:
I love his voice and enjoy the old tapes I have. You can also "hear" him on YouTube. As far as books, my first and favorite is Everything is Waiting for You - https://a.co/d/0bTCeJCY. Just the title draws you in. Also listen here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmA4s8r630s
"In my 73 years, I have traveled from the outer edges of myself toward a life at the center, my center. And I’m still traveling, and daring greatly." This. Thank you for this, Lesley...it is perfect for me now.
I looked him up. Interesting man. Zoologist Poet. I like this idea. Taking that step you don’t want to take. For me it was dropping my association with juried quilt exhibitions. Dropping the labels and markers of success.
“Start close in,
don’t take the second step
or the third,
start with the first thing
close in,
the step you don’t want to take.”
I hear you about the juried shows. Funny thing is, I got into the Maryland Biennial! I applied on a lark. Botanical art...not a quilt. I took the step!
Thank you for opening a door that I forgot about especially Alexis DeVeaux. When I first started teaching I used this poem as a jigsaw art display. Each group of students took a line from the poem and illustrated what it meant to them. We displayed it at open house. And, David Whyte took me to far off places that I connected to like Annie Dilliard (who?) now I know. And a Haiku master Basho. After I read your piece, I spent the morning writing poetry and memoirs. It felt good. I mean really good. I love poetry because it suits me. Read. Internalize. Look at the world in a different way. Find meaning in the mundane and make it spring to life! Thanks again. So much fun. Oh, and if I were to read David Whyte (if I don't focus then I start looking at everything) what do you suggest? I will end with this:
I am the creativity, by Alexis DeVeaux
I am the dance step
of the paintbrush singing
I am the scultpture
of the song
the flame breath
of words
giving new life to paper
yes, I am the creativity
that never dies
I am the creativity
keeping my people
alive.
I love his voice and enjoy the old tapes I have. You can also "hear" him on YouTube. As far as books, my first and favorite is Everything is Waiting for You - https://a.co/d/0bTCeJCY. Just the title draws you in. Also listen here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmA4s8r630s