{my topography}

The shape of daily life.

Intention

Posted on | April 25, 2007 |

Time to return to the things that matter. To wake up bumble-headed and still trialing the wild ponies of dreams, pour tea, and write. To show up, because this is what I want to do with my life. Even when showing up means having a staring contest with the page, while the birds sing jubulently outside; and dawn spreads across the gravel and the new buds and the eaves. I’m determined, because I have to be, because this is what I’ve chosen. Some days I come away with nothing. Other days, a few sentences, like a pocket full of sea glass shards. Or poems, that tumble from nowhere before I’m even awake.

Two versions of Worship:

I kneel down at the arbor of another day
kissing the small pebbles of wonder that press into my knees,
the palms of my hands, the soles of my feet
I gather the petals that have drifted earthwards
from the quivering globes of roses,
and press them to my heart

April 24

**

my heart is like a music box; many
pronged tin cylinder, twirling
making steady, frail music rise
joining the windstorm of my soul
where the notes are torn and the song
becomes wild and tumultuous
and I feel very small.

April 25

Comments

6 Responses to “Intention”

  1. Helena
    April 26th, 2007 @ 6:35 am

    The first poem is like the quiver of a leaf, the second like the wind shaking a tree. Beautiful!

  2. wakinguplate
    April 26th, 2007 @ 11:18 am

    Yes!!! :)

  3. lizardek
    April 26th, 2007 @ 8:30 pm

    “Time to return to the things that matter”…hmmm…that line really struck me. I don’t know that I WANT to return, and I’m torn between the things that matter where I return and the things that matter where I’ve left.

  4. Deanna
    April 26th, 2007 @ 11:18 pm

    Thanks for the words about showing up. My intention is writing as well, though I’m not as lyrical a one as you. I, too, stare at blank page and screen. It’s part of the job, and the path toward joy.

    Your blog is a joy to read.

  5. Paul
    April 27th, 2007 @ 11:19 am

    My experience as a writer is, I think, like yours: showing up at the page is really the only thing that matters. In fact, I’d say that in my case there is a direct and logarithmic relationship between the time I spend with my ass in the chair and the quantity (and quality) of my writing: the bored-er I get, the better-er I write.

  6. tanya
    April 27th, 2007 @ 12:00 pm

    I have been away from the computer for about a week because of my little one’s birthday, which coincided with the dreaded molars coming in. I am so happy you had such a lovely time away and are now able to enjoy a week off … to enjoy your boys and your writing … and to share your beautiful pictures and words with us. I love that first poem - I don’t know how to explain it, but it is so visual.

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