NaPoWriMo – day 21
Card 93, Gallery 2
Step Back
Rare days when our traveler
is home but not in. Must step
back from too much: chaos,
words, people, stimulus. Has
been known to allow inner
child loose, to play with signs,
symbols, letting nimble fingers
find their own way.
Creating becomes game of serious
work, and words are bees, hard
barked trees, buds and branches
always reaching for new, different
colors.
Prairie fire she allows to burn
within, a nebulae of gasses whirling,
swirling in changing symmetry. Lines
misplaced assume faces of flowers. She
can spend hours lost inside their
delicate fragility.
Time well spent, feeding soul, making
music of moments spent inside beauty
of her own making. Rested at last,
refueled, once again grounded, she
is ready now, to re-enter the world
that surrounds her.
Elizabeth Crawford 4/21/11
Notes: It was one of those days. Tried hard to post the images, the post is based on, but site refused to cooperate. They are titled accordingly: Treescape, Prairie Fire, Nebulae, Garden, and Purely Purple and are digitally produced. There are days when I must just step back and let myself play. That usually means something with colors. Did that most of the day yesterday. It helps, takes me to another space and place of being. Although I responded to comments on this site, I did not reciprocate those visits. My apologies, it just got beyond me and I will do better today.
My sister is definitely on the road to recovery. Called her hubby early in the morning and told him to bring her comb, which she hadn’t packed for some reason. She’s been moved out of the ICU, but still on the same floor. She called me to find out how I was doing, lol. Thank you all for your thoughts and well-wishes.
Soul Cards can be found by clicking on the image. They were created by Deborah Koff-Chapin, and her site may be found here: http://www.touchdrawing.com/
Soul's Music 
A step away can often help to recharge creativity.
More than creativity, it can recharge all states of being. Thanks Stan,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I think I had a bit of a day away yesterday, too. Creativity is something that is essential to a happy life.
Keep ’em coming.
Will do Viv, as long as you do the same. Glad you took the time and I couldn’t agree with you more. But, I’ll leave the ghazal to you braver beings,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I don’t know how you crank these babies out, day after day; all that soul-gazing would wear shallow old me right out. Still, I’m glad you do. Thanks.
Well, Ron, the crank was badly in need of the oil of laughter you provided this morning. Thank you much,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Are you going to publish these as a collection?
Big question, Tilly Bud. Lots to consider. Would the poems stand alone without the images? Adding the images would make it quite expensive, and have no idea if Deborah would consent to such a thing. Perhaps more importantly, I’m not finished yet, and we just can’t know what will come tomorrow.
Elizabeth
LikeLike
It makes me think of the call and response of the square dance. Something I can’t quite say? It’s so true, “hard work”,(famous saying of G.W. Bush.) Lost in flowers, colors that heal, colors that set free. Something wonderful happened a couple of days ago. Picked up sticks, so simple a task, fell in love, jammed with ideas. Wonder without words….This morning I am thinking we are so lucky…took my child out to play yesterday, don’t do it often enough.
Annell, I often think of writing as play, starting out with nothing but a few words, then simply seeing where the next curves leads to. We all need play days, far more often then we admit. Glad you found the time, and I loved your sticks on the window sill. Thanks for your thoughts,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Elizabeth, It’s good to hear that your sister is doing well. There is angst in this piece. It is also a beautiful expression of creativity.
~Brenda
Brenda, there is always a bit of angst with my inner child. Makes life interesting. Sometimes, she just sees things too clearly. Thanks for your thoughts and well-wishes,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
“Words are bees, hard barked trees” – how wonderful……..you are so well-tuned to your creative needs, Elizabeth. It is inspiring. A wonderful poem. I wish I could spend today like that but it’s hi ho hi ho off to work for me. Argh.
Ahh, Sherry, but at least you had a good giggle with your sister. Thanks for joining in, and don’t work too hard,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Elizabeth, I can relate to this piece on so many different levels. I love what you say in the third stanza. Lovely writing my friend. I am so happy about your sister 🙂
Pamela
Pamela, glad you can relate, it helps to know that. And thanks for your continued support, my friend,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Love the image of the inner child being allowed to play with signs and symbols!
Actually Andy, I believe her curiosity is what got me interested in the same. Thanks for your input,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
First time on your site. Beautiful piece. Nicely written.
Welcome Espriurenee, hope you return and glad you enjoyed the poem,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
This has such wonderful imagery; it seems your step back did you good. 🙂
They usually do Gloria. Glad you liked it,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
I agree with the idea of stepping back. I think we sometimes need to for our own well being, sometmes have to allow ourselves to take a ‘back seat’ rather than being in the forefront.
With regard to the questions of would the poems stand alone without the images? Yes, truthfully they would. I will be honest and say I don’t really look at the images. Your poems DO stand alone. A chapbook with just the poems WOULD work.
Thanks Mary for your ongoing support. Glad you feel that way about the poems, I sort of thought the same, but also have that other project to finish first. Will certainly consider it,
Elizabeth
LikeLike
Creating becomes game of serious
work
I totally agree with everything you wrote here – it was delectable in its summming up of the ceative urge. 🙂
Oh, delectable, that goes in the kudo box. Thanks Jinksy, I have a lot of experience with that particular urge.
Elizabeth
LikeLike