For Big Tent Poetry prompt: Hands On…
http://bigtentpoetry.org
Coloring Page: www.craftycrayon.com
via: http://www.mosaics.com.au/
Held Loosely
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el.crawford@yahoo.com
Writing about writing and poetry
Soul's Music 
Elizabeth, you have excelled yourself. I love the poem and the picture, particularly: faithfully following the unique pattern implanted in seeds. There’s something wholeheartedly optimistic about the concept. Thank you.
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I love the idea of holding the fragile flowers loosely, and the illustration, with pen held loosely, fully captured the beauty, and ever so gently.
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Thank you, so much, Viv. This one came so fast, it was difficult to trust it, if you know what I mean. It was almost too simple. Yet, each time I looked at the words, I found deeper meaning in them, so had to go with it. I think we are each born with certain patterns implanted within us. When we choose to follow those patterns we find the bliss that Joseph Campbell tells us does exist within us. And when we find that bliss, that pattern, we do live lives of beauty and so much more.
Elizabeth
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Nan, it always amazes me when I am coloring, or doodling, how much changes when I hold those pens loosely and just let my hands and fingers flow, rather than grasping and trying to control the outcome. For me, the coloring very swiftly became a form of active meditation, a very satisfying one. So, when the prompt said to use our hands, I picked up the colors, almost automatically and the poem began dancing through my head immediately, even before the image was completed. And yes, it was all very gentle and gently done. Thank you,
Elizabeth
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Technically brilliant – every aspect, and a real hands-on response to the prompt.
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Thanks a lot Stan, brilliant? Okay, I’ll take it and run, oh shit, I can’t run…okay I’ll just hurry away before you change your mind, lol
Elizabeth
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I like the drawing. And, like Viv, I find the unique pattern expression appealing. The sunny yellows work a wonder.
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b_y, it always startles me how one small bit of color can bring an entire image to life. Can pull you in and keep you there, stilled for a moment. Thank you,
Elizabeth
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This is a beautiful poem, Elizabeth. Both the writing of it and the accompanying picture. I am beginning to experience how writing poetry is not only theactual words but what one does with them on the page.
I read what you said to Viv. Sounds like this poem was one that just flowed forth. It is wonderful when this happens, and you were right to go with it. I have had that happen tome sometime, and when it does it amazes and awes me. I too see the different levels of meaning in your poem. This one really IS a keeper! Bravo, Elizabeth.
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Thanks Mary. I think it is actually a combination of things. Before I looked at the prompt, I had been reading about creating poet trading cards on Poets United. That idea fascinated me and then I read the prompt and the two things sort of blended together. Am thinking I may have already made the trading card, yes? My granddaughtes love the fact that I color and when they come, we always end up sitting around the table and doing just that, while we talk quietly about all sorts of things, I’m not sure we would get to otherwise. It’s just so much fun and satisfying on some deep level.
Elizabeth
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Beautifully done, Elizabeth, and you make it seem so easy!
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Actually Derrick, it was fairly straight forward, until I tried to get the two things on the same sheet of paper, lol. My printer didn’t want to cooperate so had to resort to good old fashion cutting and pasting with a scissors and tape. I think there might be another poem in there, somewhere, lol. Thanks,
Elizabeth
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Lovely visual – both in the picture and as described in the poem. I like what you “fill in” with your words, like filling-in with a pen when drawing.
Thank you, twitches, I have felt very much the same thing since I started coloring with the pens. I do much of my writing now, on the computer, but my hands sometimes ache to hold and use a pen. And the one always informs the other.
Elizabeth
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You are obviously a painter! I could tell by the way you described the colors. A very impressive and beautiful poem!
Hi Diane, actually I did try painting at one point, many many years ago, but had to quit because of an allergic reaction. Now use artists pens with colored India ink, and sometimes can even get some of the effects as with painting. And I can thank my Mother for both. She started painting when she was sixty, and most recently I needed a portable activity for when I would go over and stay with her. thanks so much for stopping and commenting,
Elizabeth
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I liked the unfolding of your artistic thoughts here..
designed patterns
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gautami, unfolding is a really good word, isn’t it? Every time we write, or engage in hands on activity, we unfold a space within ourselves and let it blossom. Thanks for visivting,
Elizabeth
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Excellently crafted work! I’m afraid my artistic skills are limited to my writing, lol! Awesome post!
-Weasel =)
Weasel, maybe you need to go back and reread the dragon story again. More often than not, that’s one of the reasons the dragons come to visit, to help us expand on all of our lives, especially in the arena of creativity, which is essential to any growth and the ability to evolve. Thanks for the comments,
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth this is fantastic!
I can see the picture being drawn with the words.
Beautiful!
Pamela
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Pamela, I know what you mean, but actually it went the other way around. I was about half way through the coloring, when the words started whispering, “Look, look here, put it this way,” and so forth. So it was the image that drew the poem. But, as I wrote down the words, they made the image come to life and gave it much deeper meaning. I love it when that happens. It’s sort of like having two hands, one informing the other and back and forth again. Thanks for pulling that one out so I could see it better,
Elizabeth
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Wonderful. It often seems like the looser the control, the better the product. Overly tight would have produced a far different image here. Terrific post!
Thank you tumblewords, and I agree. When I first started doing the coloring, I held the pens like I normally do for writing. It was hard on my hands and on the images. But, I noticed a correlation. As I loosened up on the color pens, my writing also began to change, and loosen up as well.
Elizabeth
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The last five lines is so transcendent Elizabeth. I’m also moved by what you said in comments about our imprinted patterns. Thanks for the soul music!
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And thank you for the high praise, Irene. I have long believed that the soul occupies that awful distance between the heart and the mind. And poetry has ever been therapy for me. The result of that therapy would be soul songs, thus soul music. And you are more than welcome, anytime,
Elizabeth
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Powerful prose, it is so reflective of how I feel when I create~
I love you describing your creation, as it flowed~
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Thank you Ellen, I like the way the poem flows right alongside the soft flowing flowers, as well.
Elizabeth
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Filling the barren space is what we do in poetry and painting. Lovely poem Elizabeth.
Thank you Uma, and I so agree about filling spaces. Have often referred to it as standing in the gap. So glad you liked the poem, I certainly was intrigued by yours.
Elizabeth
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Style is an important factor in this poem’s success. The lack of definite and indefinite articles provides a sense of the focussed concentration that the painter would apply to the work in hand. That ‘voice’ carried the essence of the poem very effectively.
Dick, thank you and I think that presentation and voice are really important to the success of any writing endeavor. This one simply pleases me because it touches more of the senses than normal.
Elizabeth
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I wish I was as relaxed!
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“Final dollop of canary yellow” … what a sweet and evocative line. I could feel and hear the ink softly touch down. A lovely sketch and pretty poem.
Thanks, Christine, I find it rather attractive myself. But, more than that, it was just plain fun. Thanks for reading and commenting,
Elizabeth
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Tillybud, I had to laugh when I saw your comment. You should go take a look at my latest magpie: http://intuitivepaths.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/behind-the-house-and-through-the-gate/
Now that’s what I call relaxed,lol.
I think part of the ease simply comes from years of doing things. I know that when I pick up a pen, place my hands on a keyboard, it is like opening a door that is always ajar, always inviting entrance and further exploration. And it is always play, playing with words, colors, whatever. We learn so much more when we play because we are relaxed and not so consciously aware of other things. And the words, the colors are playmates come to join in the fun and the laughter, as well as the learning. OOps, I think I just defined my philosophy. I used to say that it was a work in progress. Now its play, a huge difference. Thanks Tillybud, you just pushed that door open even more.
Elizabeth
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wow.. both art and poetry go hand in hand I felt.. a lovely poem
my contribution to the Big Tent can be found at Contours
Thank you Leo, I like that image of hand in hand.
Elizabeth
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I like the careful detailing of process, of coloring in the first stanza, nature in the second. The whole reads easy, flowing, as if it really is as simple as being open to the page and letting what comes, come (I like the way the title suggests that as well). The combination of poem and artwork is delightful, has a ‘properly finished’ look.
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Oh lol, Ruth, I think that might be the first time ever anyone has ever said ‘properly finished’ about anything that pertains to my person. But, I have to admit that after finishing it and putting it up on the monitor, I may have leaned in that direction saying, “Oh shit, it works. Nice one, kiddo.”
And it is the way it works. One of the wisest things I ever heard about writing, is that any and all editing, even mentally, must only begin after the writing has been completed. Once I took up that reality, added it to my list, owned it, the writing became a whole lot easier, and the editing, surprisingly became much less.
Thanks for the laughter and the fun, my friend,
Elizabeth
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I could feel the doodle rising from my fingers as I read this poem. It is good to remember to relax and let what is going to happen just happen.
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Pam, thank you for visiting and commenting. I love it when people understand what is being said and done. And yes, that is always a good thing to remember in all circumstances.
Elizabeth
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Reading this poem and visualizing the coloring of this pattern simply made me want to go and paint. Lovely poem
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Linda, I know the feeling, I’m working on my second Mandala since I posted this yesterday. Thank you for dropping by and commenting,
Elizabeth
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So very lovely…and a very imaginative take on the prompt.
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Thank you Cynthia, for stopping and for liking it. I do myself, lol.
Elizabeth
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We were definitely on a similar wavelength this week. Sketching has always had a meditative quality for me, and I found early on that I couldn’t try to control what my hands were doing so much as let them find the shapes they wanted on the paper. It’s a very revealing experience.
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Francis, thank you for commenting, and yes, we obviously were on a similar wavelength. I’m much freer however with words than with my sketching. Perhaps because I’ve spent much more time doing the words than the other. I still have a tendency to try to control what happens when I’m doodling, but the writing is much more relaxed. I have to constantly remind myself to relax with the colors and the lines. This pic and poem however really flowed with a great deal of ease. Perhaps because I knew that the coloring would precede the word play and that allowed me to relax throughout. And you are absolutely correct about it being a revealing experience.
Thanks again,
Elizabeth
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Oh so cool to have found you through Poets United! I especially love “pelicans trolling stream in a mushroom dream” and “aching eyeballs red from too much seeking.”
Finally I have an explanation for why my eyes are so red:)
Good poem, good site, good writing!!!! Yay!
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Sherry Blue Sky, thank you so much for visiting, reading, and commenting. And thank you much for all the praise. I wonder why, sometimes, my eyes aren’t red from all these years of seeking, reading, and writing. And although I know that might never happen, I do believe there is something in the eyes of a poet that can be seen, only by another poet. Whether that be that absent professor dream like off somewhere else chasing butterflies look, or just the depth that can be found there, it is recognizable. Maybe just the high on life substance? Glad to meet you, and I found your site yesterday, Wow! Good poems, good site, and good writing!Yes!
Elizabeth
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So beautiful..what to say more..the painting and the poem which one I love more I cant figure out.Both are giving beauty to each other.Very fine one.Very happy to read you.Will be back again to read your work.
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Thank you Rashmi, I’m glad you like both. I do believe that all of our creative endeavors, no matter how seemingly diverse, are meant to inform one another, and as you so wonderfully put it: “Both are giving beauty to each other.” It also makes me think about this community of poets and writers I have so recently stumbled upon. Simply by visiting one another’s sites, leaving a few words of acknowledgement, we support and give beauty to one another. In this world, that’s a wonderful and inspiring thing.
Elizabeth
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Absolutely Beautiful..
I love Mauve and olive green.. I wish I could pick your lines and link to my sketches.. Oh yeah, I have a few sketches just like those..
Your is more beautiful.. they are so mauve n green..
Lovely words..
I loved it..
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Thank you Olivia, but the actual drawing wasn’t mine, just the coloring. But, glad you enjoyed all of it.
Elizabeth
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