Two people opened water to the child within me who nearly drown twice. You are one and today’s reflection is an example of the invitation to get in the water. The other person is also in Hawai’i and it was there she coaxed me into the sea singing “Shall we swim? yes, Yes,YES” in the water by YES. I use the song still to enter the water. And when I’m in the water it is no longer frightening.
Shall we swim? Reminds me so much of that cry we've hearkened to so often together, Lola—shall we go? I'm so happy you've expanded out of your fear of water.
Three thoughts: the first on Form. I really liked the sestina/pantoums example. We agree that creativity responds to constraints - our entire black box touring style of theatre is a 45 year example. Second: the whirling energy is perhaps a sensei for you - a life companion teacher. For me it is more of a opening to knowing... this is the path.. these are the words wanted here. If I get them down, more come. Even if I scribble them on a notepad they keep coming; if I don't honor them, the feed dries up and I have to court it again. Many writers talk about this Muse process. And third: I sincerely hope those in the forest find their way to the words given through me to them.
Lola, you are such a trail of breadcrumbs! Have you considered migrating your blog to Substack? It might bring you even more readers as it also functions like social media by broadcasting your posts out to other likeminded readers. You can import your current blog subscribers or mailing lists easily. It is very easy to join. Let me know if you're interested. I think you could also embed a link to your Substack from your current gorgeous website. When people clicked on blog button it would lead them to Substack. There is also the opportunity for paid subscribers here.
My second comment is that I struggled with “submission” also. I will “submit” to the form requirements of the publisher. If a poet writes a sonnet it has a prescribed form to play with but inside the form. I hope to be selected and people find their way to my writing - I’m leaving electronic breadcrumbs. It’s because I believe the writing is intended for someone somewhere and I want them to find the words. The submission competencies I need are 1) persistence (lots of submissions to get to an acceptance) and 2) resilience (from the many “not quite right for us”). I like that I often use “Submittable” as the submission Gate In. I’m saying “I have prepared something that matches your specific requirements”. I hope that within that form I’ve held true to the Spirit of Life and Love speaking through me, a form of “submission” I think closer to what you are describing in your piece.
The interesting thing about giving a form is you never know what will come out of it. I especially find this true with writing poetry. I've been enjoying writing sestinas and pantoums a lot because they are always such a surprise and take the burden out of me having to know where the poem is going, while also requiring considerable skill to pull off. I plan to write more.
Your comment has made me realize something in particular about my path in regard to writing that may not be true for everyone. My contract with the unseen is rather strict and requires me to express that whirling energy I mentioned in the poem. Fran Quinn is the first person to describe it as that, by the way. He heard it before I did, of course, and I'm still not sure I've really got it down on the page, though I'm coming closer and closer.
I'm glad you're leaving breadcrumbs for people to find you, Lola! There are many lost children of all ages in the forest who could learn from you.
Two people opened water to the child within me who nearly drown twice. You are one and today’s reflection is an example of the invitation to get in the water. The other person is also in Hawai’i and it was there she coaxed me into the sea singing “Shall we swim? yes, Yes,YES” in the water by YES. I use the song still to enter the water. And when I’m in the water it is no longer frightening.
Shall we swim? Reminds me so much of that cry we've hearkened to so often together, Lola—shall we go? I'm so happy you've expanded out of your fear of water.
Three thoughts: the first on Form. I really liked the sestina/pantoums example. We agree that creativity responds to constraints - our entire black box touring style of theatre is a 45 year example. Second: the whirling energy is perhaps a sensei for you - a life companion teacher. For me it is more of a opening to knowing... this is the path.. these are the words wanted here. If I get them down, more come. Even if I scribble them on a notepad they keep coming; if I don't honor them, the feed dries up and I have to court it again. Many writers talk about this Muse process. And third: I sincerely hope those in the forest find their way to the words given through me to them.
Lola, you are such a trail of breadcrumbs! Have you considered migrating your blog to Substack? It might bring you even more readers as it also functions like social media by broadcasting your posts out to other likeminded readers. You can import your current blog subscribers or mailing lists easily. It is very easy to join. Let me know if you're interested. I think you could also embed a link to your Substack from your current gorgeous website. When people clicked on blog button it would lead them to Substack. There is also the opportunity for paid subscribers here.
My second comment is that I struggled with “submission” also. I will “submit” to the form requirements of the publisher. If a poet writes a sonnet it has a prescribed form to play with but inside the form. I hope to be selected and people find their way to my writing - I’m leaving electronic breadcrumbs. It’s because I believe the writing is intended for someone somewhere and I want them to find the words. The submission competencies I need are 1) persistence (lots of submissions to get to an acceptance) and 2) resilience (from the many “not quite right for us”). I like that I often use “Submittable” as the submission Gate In. I’m saying “I have prepared something that matches your specific requirements”. I hope that within that form I’ve held true to the Spirit of Life and Love speaking through me, a form of “submission” I think closer to what you are describing in your piece.
The interesting thing about giving a form is you never know what will come out of it. I especially find this true with writing poetry. I've been enjoying writing sestinas and pantoums a lot because they are always such a surprise and take the burden out of me having to know where the poem is going, while also requiring considerable skill to pull off. I plan to write more.
Your comment has made me realize something in particular about my path in regard to writing that may not be true for everyone. My contract with the unseen is rather strict and requires me to express that whirling energy I mentioned in the poem. Fran Quinn is the first person to describe it as that, by the way. He heard it before I did, of course, and I'm still not sure I've really got it down on the page, though I'm coming closer and closer.
I'm glad you're leaving breadcrumbs for people to find you, Lola! There are many lost children of all ages in the forest who could learn from you.