Raccoon
The raccoon wears a black mask.
And he washes everything
Before he eats it. If you
Give him a cube of sugar,
He'll wash it away and weep.
Some of life's sweetest pleasures
Can be enjoyed only if
You don't mind a little dirt.
Here a false face won't help you.
Kenneth Rexroth
3.24.2005
3.23.2005
3.18.2005
North St. Vrain Creek, Colorado
"... the creek rests the eye, a haven, a breast."
Annie Dillard
Between fringed banks she mounds, breasting
over water-bottom, shadow-nippled, naked, skinned
with sky and aspen leaves and dragonflies,
bellying between the shining boulder, a fluid
flesh but firm with the force of her going.
From the bridge at noon the heat of his seeing
knuckles down at her, senses jump the gap,
his eyes drink until the cool pools in his brain,
soaks down the thirsty length of him. As she
has found an interval's home in his eye, he
has discovered haven from the day's blaze
in her body of water.
Luci Shaw
Annie Dillard
Between fringed banks she mounds, breasting
over water-bottom, shadow-nippled, naked, skinned
with sky and aspen leaves and dragonflies,
bellying between the shining boulder, a fluid
flesh but firm with the force of her going.
From the bridge at noon the heat of his seeing
knuckles down at her, senses jump the gap,
his eyes drink until the cool pools in his brain,
soaks down the thirsty length of him. As she
has found an interval's home in his eye, he
has discovered haven from the day's blaze
in her body of water.
Luci Shaw
3.17.2005
Dan asked me one night... 'What prompts a similar feeling to the one you experience when you play the piano?' I couldn't really think of anything at that moment.
Today, all I've wanted to do, but haven't been able to because of classes, has been to write. Reflecting on that "itch" to write enabled me to answer Dan's question....
What gives me that same feeling as when I'm playing the piano? Wanting to find a way to get out whatever I'm thinking about, whatever I'm feeling passionate about, whatever I'm excited about...
When do I most play the piano (aside from just plain wanting to)? When I'm upset, frustrated, emotionally drained.
When do I most want to write? When I want to express myself in words in a certain way - sometimes articulating it verbally just doesn't cut it. I get caught up on one thing, or make a digression, and then I've lost my train of thought (not always, but if I want to be intentional about expressing something, and especially in remembering it, I write it).
When do I most want to express myself verbally? When I want to think outloud to someone I trust will allow me space and time to process outloud. When I need help in sorting out what's going on in my mind or heart. When I'm confused about a situation or hurt by something/one. There are a lot more circumstances that I just can't think of.
When do I turn to art? When I want to create something beautiful. When I want to take the images in my mind and make them concrete. When I want to escape the realm of ideas and find a bit of fulfillment in the fruits of physical labor. When I want to communicate to someone that I care enough to put the time in to make something beautiful with my hands, and whatever creativity God has gifted me, and share it with them in a personal way... perhaps reflecting on our interconnectedness.... 'I understand you here' 'This part of you I interpret in this way' 'This makes me think of you'...
When do I most want to sing? Mostly when I have something deeply emotional that the intonation of words just can't express. I love singing especially when it's directed to the Lord. Song seems to come from so much deeper inside - even feeling it physically - it's an expression that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
How else might I communicate something that has made an impression on my life?... By pursuing it... studying it...
Understanding different peoples, their cultures and language...
Understanding the environment... How does everything work together? What are the relationships in creation and how do I relate to it, in turn? And how can I better take care of it?
Why do I want to share my experiences with people instead of, say, traveling alone somewhere? Because for me, the people are what make the experience. If I witness something beautiful, some breathtaking scene - that's wonderful! But if I have no one to remember it with, no one to reflect with at that moment, no one to witness it with me and participate in the same wonder and awe... some of the beauty is lost. I value experiences that I share with different people because they bring different perspectives, point out things that I don't notice. And that extends far beyond a beautiful vista.
Today, all I've wanted to do, but haven't been able to because of classes, has been to write. Reflecting on that "itch" to write enabled me to answer Dan's question....
What gives me that same feeling as when I'm playing the piano? Wanting to find a way to get out whatever I'm thinking about, whatever I'm feeling passionate about, whatever I'm excited about...
When do I most play the piano (aside from just plain wanting to)? When I'm upset, frustrated, emotionally drained.
When do I most want to write? When I want to express myself in words in a certain way - sometimes articulating it verbally just doesn't cut it. I get caught up on one thing, or make a digression, and then I've lost my train of thought (not always, but if I want to be intentional about expressing something, and especially in remembering it, I write it).
When do I most want to express myself verbally? When I want to think outloud to someone I trust will allow me space and time to process outloud. When I need help in sorting out what's going on in my mind or heart. When I'm confused about a situation or hurt by something/one. There are a lot more circumstances that I just can't think of.
When do I turn to art? When I want to create something beautiful. When I want to take the images in my mind and make them concrete. When I want to escape the realm of ideas and find a bit of fulfillment in the fruits of physical labor. When I want to communicate to someone that I care enough to put the time in to make something beautiful with my hands, and whatever creativity God has gifted me, and share it with them in a personal way... perhaps reflecting on our interconnectedness.... 'I understand you here' 'This part of you I interpret in this way' 'This makes me think of you'...
When do I most want to sing? Mostly when I have something deeply emotional that the intonation of words just can't express. I love singing especially when it's directed to the Lord. Song seems to come from so much deeper inside - even feeling it physically - it's an expression that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
How else might I communicate something that has made an impression on my life?... By pursuing it... studying it...
Understanding different peoples, their cultures and language...
Understanding the environment... How does everything work together? What are the relationships in creation and how do I relate to it, in turn? And how can I better take care of it?
Why do I want to share my experiences with people instead of, say, traveling alone somewhere? Because for me, the people are what make the experience. If I witness something beautiful, some breathtaking scene - that's wonderful! But if I have no one to remember it with, no one to reflect with at that moment, no one to witness it with me and participate in the same wonder and awe... some of the beauty is lost. I value experiences that I share with different people because they bring different perspectives, point out things that I don't notice. And that extends far beyond a beautiful vista.
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