The expressions of water

The dogs and I were happy to have the sun shining down on our morning walk.

I wore my brand spankin new pair of boots I bought at the hardware store in Belfair yesterday - when I saw them (they only had 2 pairs left) I couldn't believe one of the pairs was my just my size!

Which way to go first?

The dogs never struggle with decisions; making them has always been the monkey on my back, but then it's to be expected as I am a Libra.

The morning light was tinged with steam rising across the field. This big root ball belongs to our beloved Maple, the bank gave way in high water. That's how it is living on the river - constant lessons in the nature of impermanence.

The clothesline sags under the weight of invisible laundry.

By day, I am busy working on the presentation I'll be giving next week in Seattle at Search for Meaning Book Festival, The topic I've chosen to speak about is "Painting as Poetry; Self Discovery in the Dynamic Flow". I'm pondering times I'm in the flow and times I'm not, and the many ways that I find my way back.

How do you find your way back when you've lost your creative way?

I recently learned that one of my favorite poets, David Whyte, will also be presenting at the festival and I'm overjoyed that he's speaking at a different time slot than I am so I can hear him.

I leave you now with one of his poems,

What to Remember When Waking

In that first hardly noticed moment in which you wake,
coming back to this life from the other
more secret, moveable and frighteningly honest world
where everything began,
there is a small opening into the new day
which closes the moment you begin your plans.

What you can plan is too small for you to live.
What you can live wholeheartedly will make plans enough
for the vitality hidden in your sleep.

To be human is to become visible
while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.
To remember the other world in this world
is to live in your true inheritance.

You are not a troubled guest on this earth,
you are not an accident amidst other accidents
you were invited from another and greater night
than the one from which you have just emerged.

Now, looking through the slanting light of the morning window
toward the mountain presence of everything that can be
what urgency calls you to your one love?
What shape waits in the seed of you
to grow and spread its branches
against a future sky?

Is it waiting in the fertile sea?
In the trees beyond the house?
In the life you can imagine for yourself?
In the open and lovely white page on the writing desk?

 

Comments

[Pam @ The Blue Between]

I have those same boots!! Love your photos, especially the shadow one with the heart :)

[Robyn]

mmmmm. David Whyte has been a long time fav. of mine. Thanks for the poem. So excited for your talk, I wish I could be there! To answer your Q about flow, I am learning to stay connected creatively by slowing waaaaaaay down. letting go of so very many things that I thought were important to make space for quiet and nothingness. It is a new relationship to creativity I am finding myself in. Pema Chodron talks about the blank canvas at the beginning of her talks, with no plans she proceeds, terrifying, yes, necessary, absolutely. Much of what David's poem point to. My action/duty is making space and holding space and keeping fear out.. thanks, this was a nice contemplation!

[Kathie Vezzani]

Saw those boots when my husband and I were in Belfair on Saturday--not in my size! What a great lumber store you have there. The owner is awesome and I love his desk. He let me poke around in it to see all the cubbies. Thanks for sharing this poem.

[Celia]

I want those boots!!! The poem is beautiful!! I will be writing it down in my journal....it is something that needs to be read on a regular basis....Thank you for sharing!!

[lulu]

Hi Katie - lovely poem. I wanted to tell you I am very much enjoying your book - it's a lot like being in your class! You're an inspiration!
thanks,
lulu

[katie]

Robyn,

Yes, slowing way down, being present to space not filled up by things and activities. I love Pema too, such an inspired teacher. Thanks for stopping by.

[katie]

Kathie,

Sorry the boots weren't your size - lucky for me though!! yes, we may not have much fine dining here in Belfair, but we've got the good hardware and lumber stores!! I'm glad you liked the poem...

[katie]

Celia,
I find that as with any really good poetry, it gets better and sinks deeper with each reading. David Whyte's writing, both nonfiction and poetry is phenomenal; I'm reading "Crossing the Unknown Sea; Work as a Pilgrimage to Identity" right now...i want to underline something on every page!!

and the boots, I know, kind of 60's mod - love!!

[katie]

Lulu,

Thank you for sharing your experience with my book - my intention was to come as close to a class room experience as possible, really a challenge with a book. Joyous Creating, Lulu!

[Lisa Graham]

Those boots were a great find! Your photos and post were inspirational. Thanks! I have a golden retriever too...aren't they great dogs?

[Maria C. Little]

Katie, you have the genuine artistic eye and heart!
I bet you'll be surprised to know that I first heard David Whyte at The Boeing Company in the mid 1990's!

[kerri]

I really like the boots. What a snazzy bit of color to look down on while strolling.

I used to think I didn't like poetry, but I found Mary Oliver and now I am working on striking up an acquaintance with it. Thank you for a new name to check out. :)

[AQIS Cleaning]

I love your photos and the poem. Your dog is cute, it's the same as mine.

[rebecca]

my darling....toes in the snow and suddenly spring! through all seasons you remain in my heart. hoping all is well in your world..so grateful you are in mine!

[Ana]

your photos are so pretty, but your boots are ABSOLUTELY awesome!!!!