Today my life feels like a place where dreams and expectations have collided with the reality of what is, and I feel stuck and sad, unsure of how to move on from this place.
The challenges of everyday life might seem a bit easier if not for the background of our country's chaos. Thank you for your kind words -- rescue ropes.
Each word you string is part of finding your way to moving on, Stephanie. And they are an achingly beautiful gift to the rest of us, a reminder that to be human is a multi-faceted experience, and some of it is just hard as f--ck. And still, we persist and find ways to thrive. Sending love to you!
Here's to moving on; moving forward; moving trucks; and moving in. Sending you love and hugs, Susan. Thank you for being a part of my journey. You're a blessing.
I have the sense that a change and an opening will come mid-month, for all of us. May the moving on and moving in begin as the energy shifts. Big hugs back to you.
While you may feel stuck (as so many of us are these days), your writing soars. Your poetry and prose are first-rate, eloquent, and stirred something in me. The following is just one of the profound messages you share: "But I am caught in between the breaths, where memories and feelings linger in a misty haze of un-resolve; where dreams seem made of dust."
Simply magnificent.
I wrote many poems 20 years ago, and it's been a long time since I wrote one, but you have inspired me to start writing some poems again in my journal. You are the real deal, an inspiration.
I know that the selling of the house and eventual moving are difficult. Our problems are real; it doesn't matter if some have it worse and some have it better. We all suffer in this wonderful life, unfortunately.
Hang in there and keep writing your beautiful words. They are a balm to me.
Thank you for the encouragement, Beth. What a delight it would be to return to your poetry -- maybe a pairing of poems with certain paintings. Biggest of hugs.
Beth....I'm so glad you mentioned that troubles are troubles and they are our own....comparing doesn't help! And I am a firm believer in "I always get what I need." Not what I want, but need and it comes when the time is right. There are lessons for me in the waiting time if I open to them. I don't write, poems or otherwise, but difficult times can inform my art work....if I let it!
I make art, improv quilts. You can find me and some of them on jan.chard.5 at IG. I also collage both with paper and paint and paint and fabric. I also like to watercolor, but I don't do much of that these days.
Me too! An except from my journal - “I’m up early and the house is still cool. I think of the many things that must be emptied, removed – and notice, for the first time, some things that I was blind to before but – now that I must face this change – I see. I’m feeling lost and a strange kind of uncertainty, and propulsion. I must move forward. I’m not sure why, but I can’t stay here. it’s like living inside a ghost: the
I love your authenticity, poetry, and raw honesty. The underground nourishment for the soul, sip it slowly. It’s impossible to compare our challenge to another person’s. You have the right to feel angst, sorrow, sadness, and to have your dream. I feel it coming and like you said this too shall pass and what will be learned along the way? Sometimes as you know, we don’t Garner or integrate what that is until many years later. The goddess is generous.
Wish you were here for tea, Camilla. Thank you for the warm understanding. I'm putting it in my pocket and carrying it with me for the rest of the day. Big hugs.
I particularly love this line from your first poem:
letters falling on top of one another,
as snippets of light
left over from the full moon,
string together pearls of longing.
My sinking spells (all too eager to fall prey to the world’s madness) could do me in if it weren't for my journal and pen. Writing keeps me afloat. Your vulnerability keeps me afloat. So here we are, side by side, learning how to weather the storm.
Every creative walks through the door to the underworld, where the goddess has left a chalice of madness, the nectar of creation, sitting upon the altar.
I feel this with my whole being. Stunning write Stephanie!
I think the search for refuge and home are actually big struggles right now. People need to ground in a place of their choice, and right now, you want to be somewhere other than where you are. In some ways, it's the micro-version of a bigger problem that a lot of people are having.
Beautiful poetry. Yes, I hear you and understand all too well the difficulties of moving out, moving in and healing from life’s painful difficulties. And now, combined with the swirl of political madness that surrounds us making it harder. I’m glad you got out with your dog and into nature for a while.
That dog is a real life saver -- always in a joyful state of being, as noted by a constant wagging. Thank you for your seeing me, and thank you for being here. Big hugs.
I needed to read this….today! Thank you for being authentic and open about those times of not being at your best and the need to let go sometimes. Which I am facing today.
I feel your words, the sameness of so many feelings, the uplifting their connection creates. Thank you for sharing the ripples of your soul, the bump of your heart's halting yet steady steps of day to day. Such poignant beauty that we share and bravely carry on. The upliftment in the connection. Blessings on you and thank you.
"the upliftment of connection" . . . I feel so held in this community, even though I do not know anyone personally. Held by the weaving of healing words . . . Thank you for adding yours.
Tough times for all of us. Words are rescue ropes, pulling us out of the wordless tangle. Thank you for yours.
The challenges of everyday life might seem a bit easier if not for the background of our country's chaos. Thank you for your kind words -- rescue ropes.
Each word you string is part of finding your way to moving on, Stephanie. And they are an achingly beautiful gift to the rest of us, a reminder that to be human is a multi-faceted experience, and some of it is just hard as f--ck. And still, we persist and find ways to thrive. Sending love to you!
Here's to moving on; moving forward; moving trucks; and moving in. Sending you love and hugs, Susan. Thank you for being a part of my journey. You're a blessing.
I have the sense that a change and an opening will come mid-month, for all of us. May the moving on and moving in begin as the energy shifts. Big hugs back to you.
Hi Stephanie,
While you may feel stuck (as so many of us are these days), your writing soars. Your poetry and prose are first-rate, eloquent, and stirred something in me. The following is just one of the profound messages you share: "But I am caught in between the breaths, where memories and feelings linger in a misty haze of un-resolve; where dreams seem made of dust."
Simply magnificent.
I wrote many poems 20 years ago, and it's been a long time since I wrote one, but you have inspired me to start writing some poems again in my journal. You are the real deal, an inspiration.
I know that the selling of the house and eventual moving are difficult. Our problems are real; it doesn't matter if some have it worse and some have it better. We all suffer in this wonderful life, unfortunately.
Hang in there and keep writing your beautiful words. They are a balm to me.
Hugs xo Beth
Thank you for the encouragement, Beth. What a delight it would be to return to your poetry -- maybe a pairing of poems with certain paintings. Biggest of hugs.
Pairing poems with paintings sounds like a wonderful idea. Thank you for the inspiration!
Beth....I'm so glad you mentioned that troubles are troubles and they are our own....comparing doesn't help! And I am a firm believer in "I always get what I need." Not what I want, but need and it comes when the time is right. There are lessons for me in the waiting time if I open to them. I don't write, poems or otherwise, but difficult times can inform my art work....if I let it!
Yes, Jan, the comparion game is not helpful at all. I like your outlook on getting what you need. What kind of art do you do? I oil paint and sketch.
I make art, improv quilts. You can find me and some of them on jan.chard.5 at IG. I also collage both with paper and paint and paint and fabric. I also like to watercolor, but I don't do much of that these days.
Stephanie, if poetry is a default when you get stuck, write on! :-D
Didn't think of it as a decent default -- so thank you for that.
Me too! An except from my journal - “I’m up early and the house is still cool. I think of the many things that must be emptied, removed – and notice, for the first time, some things that I was blind to before but – now that I must face this change – I see. I’m feeling lost and a strange kind of uncertainty, and propulsion. I must move forward. I’m not sure why, but I can’t stay here. it’s like living inside a ghost: the
shape of my past, my couple-dominated past.”
So well expressed, Joan. It's like outgrowing a part of yourself. Thank you for being here.
Good morning, Stephanie
I love your authenticity, poetry, and raw honesty. The underground nourishment for the soul, sip it slowly. It’s impossible to compare our challenge to another person’s. You have the right to feel angst, sorrow, sadness, and to have your dream. I feel it coming and like you said this too shall pass and what will be learned along the way? Sometimes as you know, we don’t Garner or integrate what that is until many years later. The goddess is generous.
💙🌹💜
I love you, Prajna -- and gotta love that the goddess is generous, with both grace and grit.
Sending lots of loving kindness, compassion, hugs, and tea & sympathy to you dear Stephanie♥️🙏🕊️
Wish you were here for tea, Camilla. Thank you for the warm understanding. I'm putting it in my pocket and carrying it with me for the rest of the day. Big hugs.
I particularly love this line from your first poem:
letters falling on top of one another,
as snippets of light
left over from the full moon,
string together pearls of longing.
My sinking spells (all too eager to fall prey to the world’s madness) could do me in if it weren't for my journal and pen. Writing keeps me afloat. Your vulnerability keeps me afloat. So here we are, side by side, learning how to weather the storm.
And weather, we will, with letters falling on top of one another as we learn to navigate the waters, roiling from the storm.
Every creative walks through the door to the underworld, where the goddess has left a chalice of madness, the nectar of creation, sitting upon the altar.
I feel this with my whole being. Stunning write Stephanie!
Rea, kindred soul -- that touch of madness, nectar of creation fits, doesn't it? Sending you kindness and goodwill and great bursts of creativity.
You bring such beauty to those stuck places, as frustrating as they can be.
Sometimes beauty and frustration go hand in hand. Thank you for your comment.
I think the search for refuge and home are actually big struggles right now. People need to ground in a place of their choice, and right now, you want to be somewhere other than where you are. In some ways, it's the micro-version of a bigger problem that a lot of people are having.
I would agree, Christina. . . a microcosm of the macrocosm. Big hugs.
Stephanie sits, sniffs,
says she’s sad, stuck, suffering.
Spins snippets, sews strings.
...
She shifts, soul-searching?
Shares stories, seeks sense-making?
There’s no small sorrows.
...
Sip from the gray clouds
if not drinking the full moon.
‘Til seeing sun, stars show.
LOVE "soul-searching." And this: "There's no small sorrows." Thank you for meeting me where I am, Marisol. I appreciate you.
Beautiful poetry. Yes, I hear you and understand all too well the difficulties of moving out, moving in and healing from life’s painful difficulties. And now, combined with the swirl of political madness that surrounds us making it harder. I’m glad you got out with your dog and into nature for a while.
That dog is a real life saver -- always in a joyful state of being, as noted by a constant wagging. Thank you for your seeing me, and thank you for being here. Big hugs.
Beautifully written and expressed. Thank you.
Thank you, Linda. I'm so glad you're here.
I needed to read this….today! Thank you for being authentic and open about those times of not being at your best and the need to let go sometimes. Which I am facing today.
We must have woken up in the same boat, Marjeanne. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment.
I feel your words, the sameness of so many feelings, the uplifting their connection creates. Thank you for sharing the ripples of your soul, the bump of your heart's halting yet steady steps of day to day. Such poignant beauty that we share and bravely carry on. The upliftment in the connection. Blessings on you and thank you.
Thank you, Mary. Yes, so many feelings and the "bump of heart's halting," said so well. Onward. May we continue to uplift. Big hugs.
"the upliftment of connection" . . . I feel so held in this community, even though I do not know anyone personally. Held by the weaving of healing words . . . Thank you for adding yours.
I love that this is what women do for each other -- we give each other grace.