Here I am, suspended breathless
between language and myth.
Strands of undomesticated words
weave ladders to freedom, and
a dove in the stripy-barked birch
recites the works of Homer.
I found the rules of grammar
written on my tongue by the wind
and the alphabet strung like
seed-pearls around my willing neck.
Each day I take to the quarries,
hard mining for the sweetly lyrical,
blistered from digging in hot sands
and hard stone for parables.
The very walls that bound my heart
are fairly breached by the
gentle solace of poems spun
on a vision quest, on toiling
though the hill country of
my youthful and once indomitable
dreams: like dandelion fluff,
I blow them into history.
I write as though poetry is
the only real nourishment –
. . . . . . .perhaps it is.
© 2016, poem, Jamie Dedes, All rights reserved, Photo ~ courtesy of morgueFile
WRITING PROMPT
Last month’s theme for The BeZine was: Rituals for Peace, Healing and Unity. Fittingly, Terri Stewart, our resident canoness, took the lead.
For some of us, our writing – whatever it may be – poetry, fiction, nonfiction, journaling – is our daily spiritual practice, a ritual of sorts, a way to heal and to connect with the best part of ourselves.
The inspiration for today’s writing prompt comes from my colleagues at the Zine:
Poet, essayist and vocalist, John Anstie, wrote “This poem represents the sentiment and spirit that is at the core of our mission here, Jamie, the Bardo/Beguine mission. ‘… as if poetry is the only real nourishment. Perhaps it is.’ Perhaps, at the same time, a call to the pen, rather than the sword, is also a source of nourishment that will yield, eventually, a harvest [of peace] for the world.”
Corina Ravenscraft, artist, poet, writer and activist, said “… poetry truly can be spiritual…”
Associate Pastor of Riverton United Methodist Church (Seattle, Washington), Rev. Terri Stewart, writer and founder of our sister site Beguine Again, wrote: “Digging for parables really echoes with what my experience is!”
How do you experience the practice of poetry or other art? Maybe you feel as our colleague – shamanic practitioner, psychotherapist, educator, and visual and theater artist – Michael Watson does, that the “arts are the only real solace.”
In poem, story or creative nonfiction tell us about your personal creative rites and/or why you find consolation in them. Share your piece through Mister Linky … just click on the icon below and paste in the link to your piece so that I and other readers here might enjoy it.
Note: A link from one of my unrelated pieces might show up as the first post. It’s just left from another effort on a different site. Tech challenged: I couldn’t remove it. Sigh! 😦
the diction in this- i love love love it
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Oh, Katie, thank you so much for taking the time to say so.
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of course! keep up the creativity 🙂 always refreshing for people to express themselves on here
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hi,
I want to have a guest post in ur blog of my poetries?
do u have such provision?.if yes,then how can I do so..& if no..then can u please suggest where I can post as a guest blogger or can u give some links of those bloggers with large no of followers & who allows guest posts
regards
AATIF
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The last stanza is wonderful, quiet realization.
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Thank you for saying so.
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Beautifully written and a very inspired write.
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Thank you, Renne!
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More than Welcome Jamie. 🙂
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What a beautiful poem, Jamie!
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Thank you, Marilynn! I hope all is well in your world. Looks like when I get the chance to check in on your site, usually when I’m working on the Zine. Best wishes to you./J.
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Poetry does feed my soul and sometimes it is enough. Nice words.
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Well said, Kim! Kim, by the way, would you email me the problems you’re having with theBeguine Again site. Thanks!
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I don’t have a password and I tried to reset it and I couldn’t.
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Okay! I don’t know how to fix that but I’ll let Terri know.
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Lovely! Perfect!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Michael. I hope some take up the challenge.
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Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thank you! So kind.
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