New Sessions for June 2024

Join us for some Sundays in June:

2nd, 9th, 16th, 23nd

Slow Ink sessions Aug/Sep 2023

In the absence of funded courses Adrienne and Bev decided to keep up the Slow Ink momentum by donating four sessions. How wonderful it has been to be back in touch with everyone on Zoom again.

Adrienne's mindfulness practices can always be revisited on the "Adrienne Hannah Mindfulness Practices" page. In the sessions Adrienne and Bev introduced first the mindfulness and then the writing with pieces and prompts from the following writers:

12th Aug

Julian Nangle "Sea Pulse" 

Pat Sutherland "Still"

Writing prompt: as rain falls

19th Aug

Mary Oliver "Next Time"

Hugh MacDiarmid "Skald's Death"

Writing prompt: I am at last

9th Sep

Bev Schofield "Holy Isle"

Helen Ivory "Note to the reader: this is not a poem"

Writing prompt: choose a voice and a reader and consciously write for them

*****************************************************************

And now for some of 

YOUR WRITING:

As rain falls

by Antje Bothin

As rain falls

A new day opens the door

Calm clouds pass by

A glimpse of sunlight

Enlightens the sky

The streets lie empty

As the houses slowly appear

Shadows of modern art

Flowers open their eyes

Saying 'Good morning world'

Showing off colours of hope

Birds start singing

Announcing new beginnings

More clouds start dancing

Allowing the ground to drink

Trees shelter homeless life

As rain falls

The Kettle is singing.  

by Cath Hopkins

The Kettle is singing.  

As the men march home, 

death still clinging

to their uniform.  

They remember,

that they had marched out of the town,

proud that they were departing, 

to fight for their king and country.

Now they return 

with the march of disillusionment, 

With the memories of their fallen friends, 

marching alongside them, gone but not forgotten.

Women stand upon the pavements, 

Sorrow etched upon their faces.

The widows cry

for their missing husbands.  

The mothers mourn 

their lost sons.

Children search 

for their fathers face.

And as each man returns to their home. 

They all know that nothing, 

will ever be the same.  

Except the kettle will always be singing

Dream from the Holy Isle

by Bev Schofield

Kiss me soft and lay me low

then lie beside me, slip to sleep.

Walk through worlds of ways to be

that hum with kindness and knowing

that the going and gone are still with us

that this song of spirit and witness of the world

is, indeed, one journey.

And time?

Time is but a balm to soothe

the beating of our frantic hearts

that race us overground

from worm to wondrous Sapiens

forgetting

that no heart beats in a forest of trees

and yet

the sap rises from the deepest root

to the tips of the green and waving

impossibly sentient leaves.

My daily cup of tea

by Antje Bothin

This pleasant smell

all around the house

is tickling my nose

The warm touch

my hands feel loved

I can see an ocean

inside this wee space

Take a sip

And my mouth is flooded

with cool delight

When I enjoy

My daily cup of tea!

When Grief visits.

by Cath Hopkins

Peace is a forgotten place.

Breathe becomes still.

Memories fade. 

There are no more tomorrows.

Just the ghosts of yesterday.

Silence holds the sorrow close.

As I light a candle

I pray,

I remember.

 

********************************************************************

Thanks to you all ...

... for your heartening feedback as always!

12th August

Giovanna: Good morning all, it’s lovely to see your faces today 😊

Antje: Reacted to "Good morning all, it..." with ❤️

Lois: Reacted to "Good morning all, it..." with ❤️

Maggie: Sounds lovely Adrienne, if your dad waves in

Adrienne: Reacted to "Sounds lovely Adrien..." with 😂

Giovanna: Beautiful thank you so much Adrienne

Adrienne: Reacted to "Beautiful thank you ..." with ❤️

Sheila: Amazing peace thank you  Adrienne 😍

Jan: that was really good,  Thank you.

Antje: Reacted to "Beautiful thank you ..." with ❤️

Adrienne: Reacted to "that was really good..." with ❤️

Giovanna: Hello all, I’m leading some workshops for Glasgow Women’s Library in aug and sept and would love to see any of you there if it’s of interest. Here’s the booking link:

https://womenslibrary.org.uk/event/bold-types-creative-writing-workshops/

Cath: Reacted to "Hello all, 

I’m lead..." with ❤️

Lois: Reacted to "Hello all, 

I’m lead..." with ❤️

Antje: Reacted to "Hello all, 

I’m lead..." with ❤️

Angie: Reacted to "Hello all, 

I’m lead..." with 👍

Britt: It's grief in a poem.

Dee: what was the name of the garden please?

Antje: Giovanna, are these session online or in person?

Giovanna: Anje, the last one - Sept 14th 6pm - will be on Zoom 😊

Antje: Thanks

Giovanna: Reacted to "Thanks" with 👍🏽

Britt: Reacted to "Anje, the last one -..." with 👍

Giovanna: Hello all, I need to nip off a few minutes early today. Thanks to Bev and Adrienne and everyone for your company and incredible words.

Britt: Replying to "Hello all, I need t..." 😘Bye, G!

Giovanna: Reacted to "😘Bye, G!" with ❤️

Giovanna: Catrice - “each stuttered breath heaving full of salt” and beautifu last line!

Catrice: Reacted to "Catrice - “each stut..." with 🌷

Catrice: Beautiful Antje.

Antje: Reacted to "Beautiful Antje." with ❤️

Britt: @Antje buildings as shadows of modern art... more clouds dancing... I feel like I will see cities in rain very differently now!

Antje: Reacted to "@Antje buildings as ..." with ❤️

Antje: Apologies I need to leave. Thanks everyone. 👏🏻 Thank you Bev and Adrienne. 😀 See you.

Britt: Reacted to "Apologies I need to ..." with ❤️

Maggie: 'Mamunia' Paul McCartney's welcome for the rain - absolutely lovely Just google

Cath: writing the radical memoir; paul Williams and shelley davidsow

Britt: Reacted to "'Mamunia' Paul McCar..." with ❤️

Angie: thank you everyone for a lovely creative morning

Britt: Reacted to "writing the radical ..." with 👍

Catrice: Thank you.

Dee: fabulous, thank you everyone :)

Britt: Thank you!!! Always magical to be together and hear everyone's words...

Kay: thankyou   wonderful to be back and to hear all your beautiful words   kx

Sheila: Thanks everyone.  I knew I’d missed it just didn’t realise how much xx

19th August

Karen: The artist is 82 year old Kay Le Seelleur Ara ( Jersey, her first exhibition). Format is paradelle, but we were allowed to play around with it. Look Kay’s story up- she’s amazing.

Dee: thank you Adrienne

Britt: That was magic, Adrienne. Thank you

Catrice: Thank you, Adrienne & Bev.

Antje: Thanks Adrienne

Moira: Thanks you Adrienne that was just lovely x

Adrienne: ❤️

Catrice: I love the endings of your lines.  Such hopeful vowel sounds

Dee: the fire in the bones that yearns for action :)

Linda: Lying on the Couch by Irwin D. Yalom  a novel

Linda: amazing writing today thank you all x

Antje: Reacted to "the fire in the bone..." with ❤️

Antje: Reacted to "amazing writing today..." with ❤️

Antje: Reacted to "I love the endings o..." with ❤️

Catrice: Such a voice in that poem Louise.  Sending love to you. 💜

Moira: much love Louise - keep dancing on your walks xx

Catrice: Fabulous final line!

Britt: Jan-- your poems are like postcards. A person doesn't have to know all the background to get them. Thank you.

Dee: doggy paddle in the treacle - wow

Britt: Replying to "doggy paddle in the ..." yes to this!

Dee: please don't let them make your shoulders sag

Britt: Thank you, Doreen! ❤️

Linda: Replying to "doggy paddle in the ..." ☺️

Dee: it has been great this morning thank you and thank you all for sharing moving words

Antje: Thank you all, lovely poetry!

Antje: See you next time

Karen: I have SO missed this. Thankyou everyone 💖

Britt: Reacted to "I have SO missed thi..." with ❤️

Britt: Reacted to "See you next time" with ❤️

Britt: Reacted to "it has been great th..." with ❤️

Kay: what a brilliant session    thankyou bev and Adrienne   and thankyou everyone for sharing your beautiful words  kx   hope you get better soon Adrienne x

Catrice: Reacted to "what a brilliant ses..." with 💜

Angie: Thank you for a wonderful morning.  It was good to see you all and listen to your words.  Have a wonderful weekend. x

Louise: Reacted to "what a brilliant ses..." with ❤️

Moira: thanks you all x

 

9th September

Doreen: morning

Antje: Good morning

Kay: beautiful    thankyou Adrienne   kx

Adrienne Hannah: Reacted to "beautiful    thankyo..." with ❤️

Catrice: Reacted to "beautiful    thankyo…" with 💜

Maggie: Just for info. - In Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird',the narrator's name, 'Scout' is NOT  her given name ie name given at birth, which is 'Jean Louise'.  'Scout' is a name she herself likes, and 'grows into', with her inquisitive and indomitable  personality / spirit.

Sheila: Thanks everyone.  I have to leave … good writings

Catrice: So chock full of meaty descriptions Kay.  Love it! 😍

Catrice: I’m ambidextrous

Catrice: Cheers to lefties!

Doreen: I am not left handed (mum is though)

Catrice: 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💐

Catrice: Antje — 💜💜💜

Antje: Thank you

Antje: Reacted to "Antje — 💜💜💜" with ❤️

Antje: wee space

Catrice: Wowowowow Jan!

Cath: The Midnight Disease is a good book to read about that

Cath: Dissosation

Antje: I read something about hypnotherapy, particularly the rewind technique, is used for trauma.

Catrice: Reacted to "I read something abo..." with 💜

Antje: Brilliant Catrice

Maggie: Brilliant - wuld

Lesley: Very thought provoking, Linda, loved your writing.

Maggie: Brilliant - would love a copy of this poem. Also, beautifully read. Thanks,

Catrice: cgla.greer@gmail.com

Linda: thank you to everyone for your love and kindness, very much felt, this group means the world x

Antje: Reacted to "thank you to everyon..." with ❤️

Antje: Reacted to "Brilliant - would lo..." with ❤️

Kay: wonderful   thankyou thankyou thankyou   kx

Antje: Reacted to "Very thought provoki..." with ❤️

Antje: Reacted to "wonderful   thankyou..." with ❤️

Doreen: Hugs Adrienne

Maggie: Reacted to "I read something abo..." with 💜

Maggie: Removed a 💜 reaction from "I read something abo..."

Maggie: Reacted to "I read something abo..." with 💜

Maggie: Removed a 💜 reaction from "I read something abo..."

Thanks to Lapidus Scotland

Lapidus Scotland works tirelessly to ensure these courses are offered free of charge. The organisation relies on funding and welcomes donations. Click here to access the donations link.

Farewell to Kate Lindsay

Kate Lindsay passed away peacefully on 19th July 2023 (aged 58) after a short illness at St Leonard's Hospice in York.

I've struggled to make this post as I still cannot believe oor Kate is not going to simply pop up on our zoom screen. How she loved these sessions, and how she loved writing. The heart of this woman, her kindness and love of life is a gift that goes well beyond the losing of her. I take strength from the poem below she wrote after losing her own mother.

Giovanna and I will be working with the family (under some careful instruction left by Kate herself) to compile an anthology of her feisty Ayrshire poetry; please feel free to email me any writing or messages that you would like posted here in memory of Kate.

Ahoy oor Kate... with love... Cap'n Bev, Adrienne and all of us at Slow Ink

Roses

Kate Lindsay ~ July 2022

my roses dear first grew

            when my mother was near

her essence heralded

            by their heady heavy blooms

this year, each tiny thorn pricking 

            the pain that’s ever there

            reminding us 

we have her courage 

            when facing our fear

Slow Ink session 18th March 2023

Congratulations Angie Strachan, Scottish Poetry Slam Champion 2023!

For the 5th session Adrienne introduced a new visualisation drawing from different practices. She introduced it with the poem "Lost"by David Wagoner 

Bev took a writing prompt from part of the poem "Adagio"by Cathy Song; the prompt was 

I honour myself by...

*****************************************************************

And now for some of 

YOUR WRITING:

I think Angie's done it for us all this week...

********************************************************************

Thanks to you all ...

... for your heartening feedback as always!

Fenella (ref publicising the work of Lapidus Scotland): how about medical conferences in Scotland? There must be dozens, perhaps GP and psychiatric first, but absolutely relevant for all. I needed friend in London to put me in touch, and I had been searching for something like this?

Bev: I honour myself by...

Kay: wonderful news karen x

Doreen: Sorry about the window (and light) behind me. This is a very comfy seat

Doreen: Well Done Karen!

Doreen: Hi Giovanna

Giovanna MacKenna (she/her): Hi Doreen 😊

Karen: Wow, just wow Cath 💖

Denise: Sleeping in poppy fields… Cath. Great.

Denise: Such wisdom there Bev. Be gently attended.

Denise: Loads to think about there Linda. Moving. The compass point of the heart and the feet particularly striking, to me.

Karen: I have to go shortly, but can’t pull myself away! Thankyou all, have a great week 💖💕

Adrienne: Reacted to "I have to go shortly..." with ❤️

Sheila: Have a good week Karen

Linda: Thank you everyone for your warmth and comments, means a lot x

Karen: Please send love and good luck to Angie for me. X

Denise: Your poem took us on the journey from stone to water. Water giggling…. Fantastic, Kay!

Sheila: Kay that stands alone and surrounded with ❤️

Doreen: Denise, I saw you unmute earlier. Did you want to share?

Denise: I put it in the chat, Doreen. Thanks.

Karen: Fire spitting dragon. Fabulous Anje

Karen: Thankyou for your wonderful words and fabulous company💖

Sheila: Thanks everyone I have to go as grandchildren arriving . Thanks for all your words x

Giovanna: Sorry children are having accidents here, it’s so inconvenient! Hoping to be with you all next week

Kay: another amazing session    thankyou to everyone    kx

Denise: So glad of your sharing, Doreen.

Antje: Thank you everyone 🙂

Doreen: Thanks and bye

See some pics of the Poetry Slam here

Thanks to funders

Lapidus Scotland gratefully acknowledges the support of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership's "Wellbeing for Longer in Glasgow Fund" (managed by Impact Funding Partners).

Slow Ink session 11th March 2023

Today Adrienne introduced her Memories of Kindness practice with a poem "Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye. 

Bev took a writing prompt from the poem above written by 10 year old Hollie Christie (unedited). 

Our prompt was 

my courage is...

*****************************************************************

And now for some of 

YOUR WRITING:

My courage comes from-

by Fenella Rennie

Inside, knowing I have come this far by, somehow, doing, thinking, feeling--. However, very quickly, it actually seems to me that nothing about anything I do is about courage! Feels to me like persistence, application, enthusiasm even. Also research and consideration and lots of other words or thoughts.

When I started to learn violin in my 50s, having wanted to learn since my teens, a close family member said that was really brave, and that they could never have done it. To me, it felt like pleasure, relief, excitement, and so on. It needed application to find a teacher, and a long time to learn that practice as well as lessons was essential, but courage, never!

The thing I have repeatedly found scary was going away, but there was a lightbulb moment when I realised it was the chance of failing to catch the necessary transport I was scared of. Solution not courage, but organisation!

take heart

by Hilaire

courage is a bird

flying free

above the dirty town

a bulb 

forcing leaves up

through frozen ground

girls playing football

while their brothers

taunt and jeer

the girl whose skin

prickles at injustice

and tells the teacher on the boys

courage is a seed

that sprouts and grows

inside your heart

its flowering many-petalled

its seed head potent

primed to bust

MY COURAGE COMES FROM… 

By Fakhriya Abdulkadir

 

My courage comes from having to grow up before my time.

My courage came when I landed in a strange new land.

Scared and Worried

Sad and Angry

Lonely and Insecure

My courage started inside of me.

It grew and come outside of me.

It guided me to bravery and to be courageous.

It sparked twinkling lights when darkness overshadowed me.

When faced with insecurities courage forced me to look within me.

Reminding me how far we have come.

Courage became my armour when I felt oppressed and excluded.

Courage allowed me to stand up tall and use my passionate voice.

For courage taught me to never be silenced or ridiculed.

It is my courage that is embedded in and within me.

Without it I would collapse.  

Crocus

by Denise Steele

Do you remember   

how I sent up spears to test above,

slim, green and brave?

Do you remember my tiny bud

pushing through, unready yet,

too wrapped, fragile,

tight and taut

as if I still might die?

Do you remember the days I stalled,

trammeled, stooped

by sudden snow?

Come then today

to my petals proud,

tender shields, violet-veined.

Look inside as I offer now

the small bright gold of my opening.

My Courage Comes From...

by Linda Small

My courage comes from

knowing I have made a difference

that quietness and shyness

has its place

in contemplative living

within the circles I have travelled

for the dying are a mixed bunch

some need laughter bold and true

and a loud cacophony of sound

to dissipate the raindrops

and strike courage in the

face of fear

and others need the gentle tones

of one who does not fear

the tough words of conversation

who can listen and not let go

who can hold the words

those spoken and unspoken

and open up that door

for questions that rally up

inside the self when the pain

is too great to bare

and silent tears befall the face

my mother awoke from a brain biopsy

and before eyes were opened she said

I am so pleased it is your

still quiet voice I hear

and to another

to whose side I was called

when suffering had all become too much

and years of stoic faith

flew out the window

and all hope inside was lost

twas my soft voice

that reached her, cradled her,

reminded her on His behalf

that she was so loved

so dearly loved

becoming much more than a word

in due season for the

one who feels terribly abandoned

we all hold the gift

of encouragement

and the uniqueness

of it's expression

let not the chance

go by to use it

My courage comes from within

by Antje Bothin

My courage comes from within

My mind wanders around

Tells me stories

I can choose

Look at the stars, how they shine up high

See the sunshine

Relax, try, make things happen

Believe in success

Learn from failure

Open up like a flower when the day starts

Realise everything is possible

Make my dreams come true

Focus on my strengths

And be grateful for everything I have

With love in my heart

And kindness to myself and others.

********************************************************************

Thanks to you all ...

... for your heartening feedback as always!

Doreen: Did Lesley O'Brien tell you that one of my poems will be in the Lapidus pamphlet? I wrote at her Spark Her Words last summer

Lisa: That’s fab! I have a poem published in Kate Oman’s “Rise Anthology II”, publishing in April.

Doreen: The Door by Miroslav Holub is the poem that sparked my words

Jennifer: good morning everyone.

Antje: Good morning 🙂

Doreen: I loved the phrase "rib cage wrapping around your upper body"

Adrienne: Reacted to "I loved the phrase "..." with ❤️

Bev: my courage comes from

Kate: I'll be two ticks

Zoë: wonderful words Fakhirya

Denise: Fakriya, I hope you will always use your courageous voice to write.

Fakhriya: thank you denise. I am trying that now.

Zoë: day are long/ clear out clutter/ fear wanders - lovely images

Denise: Linda that’s beautiful and has real truth.

Zoë: dissipate raindrops, tough words of conversation, stoic faith - absolutely gorgeous & heartbreaking in equal measure

Hilaire _: So moving

kay: how beautiful you were there

Lisa: Totally. And yes, we ARE so loved. What kindness is here.

Lisa: Love haikus. Their simplicity. Their profoundness.

Zoë: lovely!

Denise: Jennifer very unusual take - great.

Zoë: Gorgeous! love the deep pockets

Zoë: sent up spears/slim and brave fabulous

Lisa: gold of  my opening - exquisite

Hilaire _: Beautiful Denise! Violet-veined

Zoë: difficult birthing/ courage calls to courage /middle daughter - brilliant

Lisa: Denise, you might like to read “Snowdrops” by Louise Gluck - your poem reminded me of this.

Denise: Thank you, Lisa, I will

linda: beautiful words Hilaire, from the heart, deeply felt x

Lisa: As I was, Bev. In West Africa.

Hilaire Thanks all!

Zoë: find it in everyone - powerful ending

Denise: Terrific exploration, and conclusion, Bev. Salutes to you!

Lisa: Ann! Please get this published!

Jennifer: "good enough is good enough for me"  "what do we want"

Zoë: brilliant Ann

Fakhriya: that was beautiful ann

Ann: Thank you, everyone!

Lisa: Lived experience. So very real. And honest. I hear you, Doreen. I hear your courage speaking.

Zoë: brilliant story in that Doreen

Zoë: warrior body - lovely

Zoë: love those drums

Hilaire ‘Tiny vastness’ & ‘dragons of doubt’ - great stuFF1

Lisa: Thank you all

Ann: A bit late for this comment to Fakhriya as listening to others' comments and writing-loved everything about your piece, especially the twinkly lights in darkness.

Fakhriya: thanks Ann

Zoë: lovely Antje

Denise: So powerful, Kay. Blink and the man’s gone. Such suffering.

Ann: Thanks, Lisa-I hope to create another book* of Creative Writing, for a group I facilitate, and will consider including what I wrote in it. *Our first one is just being published in time for Book Festival here next week.

Antje: Thank you everyone

Kay: a beautiful session   thankyou everyone  kx

Lisa: Ann, that sounds just wonderful. I wish you Joy in it!

Hilaire: Your passionate voice comes through xx

Ann: Fakhriya: "Twinkly lights when darkness overshadowed me."

Denise: Thank you everyone for today.

Fakhriya: Reacted to "Thank you everyone f..." with ❤️

Fakhriya: Reacted to "Fakhriya: "Twinkly l..." with ❤️

Lisa: Please share your poem widely Fakhriya.

Zoë: trampled sunflowers/ only knee/ clutches on the floor/ gorgeous

Fakhriya: thanks everyone for sharing.  I feel inspired and honoured to be in this group.

Antje: Reacted to "thanks everyone for ..." with 💖

Antje: Reacted to "a beautiful session ..." with 💖

Adrienne Hannah: Reacted to "thanks everyone for ..." with 💖

Antje: Removed a 💖 reaction from "thanks everyone for ..."

Antje: Reacted to "thanks everyone for ..." with 💖

Doreen: thanks, see you next week

Fakhriya: Reacted to "Please share your po..." with ❤️

Linda: thank you to everyone for all that has been shared, so much to ponder and take courage in, x

Hilaire: Wonderful session, Thanks  Bev & Adrienne

Fakhriya: bye everyone

Thanks to funders

Lapidus Scotland gratefully acknowledges the support of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership's "Wellbeing for Longer in Glasgow Fund" (managed by Impact Funding Partners).

Slow Ink session 25th February 2023

Northern lights from Easdale Island on 26th February 2023

Today Adrienne introduced her mountain practice , introducing it with this poem:

Doha: Spiritual Song of Realisation

by Lama Gendun Rinpoche

Happiness cannot be found through great effort and willpower,

But is already there, in relaxation and letting go.

Don’t strain yourself, there is nothing to do.

Whatever arises in the mind has no importance at all

because it has no reality whatsoever.

Don’t become attached to it.

Don’t pass judgement.

Let the game happen on its own, springing up and falling back,

without changing anything,

and all will vanish and reappear without end.

Only our searching for happiness prevents us from seeing it.

It is like a rainbow which you run after without ever catching it.

Although it does not exist, it has always been there

and accompanies you every instant.

Don’t believe in the reality of good and bad experiences:

they are like rainbows.

Wanting to grasp the ungraspable, you exhaust yourself in vain.

As soon as you relax this grasping, space is there,

open, inviting and comfortable.

So, make use of it. All is yours already.

Don’t search any further.

Don’t go into the inextricable jungle looking for the elephant

Who is already quietly at home.

Nothing to do

Nothing to force

Nothing to want

And everything happens by itself.

Bev took a writing prompt from the poem Well of Grief by David Whyte; the writing prompt was:

the source from which we drink

*****************************************************************

And now for some of 

YOUR WRITING:

inspired by David White’s The Well of Grief & Doha

by Kay Ritchie

 

who knew the pesky flee had far more genes than me

or that the elephant in the room

felt more at home in the jungle

 

while we     the humans   are the monsters

stoking the fire of war with red hot words

that singe the edges of our world

 

evoking hatred   fear

choking everything that’s dear 

and although some days I feel I cannot breathe

 

and know the coins thrown in the fountain

sink without a trace

still there are places I can go to heal

 

by rivers   by the sea   in the country

and here with wise wise women who cast spells &

shine a light into the dark

 

with them I’ll never drown

The source from which we drink

by Fakhriya Abdulkadir

It is neither near nor far.

Big or small

It is within us all.

The mystery is finding it.

The magic is using it.

The power is spreading it.

Coming together demanding it.

Its beauty is seeing justice for all.

Caring and not leaving no one alone.

Strengthening the soul enjoining the body and mind.

We come from the same source.

Divided by corruption.

Tangled by the strings of life.

Once we realise LOVE is all we need to be one again.

Coin

by Lynnda Wardle

 

I am a cold coin

a wish tossed into cool

water carrying hope

of clear skies

birdsong for an unflooded spring

hands held lightly as we climb

summer warm on our necks

the golden crunch of leaves

fallen beneath our feet

frosty fingers and breathplume –

a wish to walk together

to notice

to love

My Rebellion

by Doreen Kelly

                    My Rebellion - Is to think differently.

    To be creative though not in the way they expect.

I rebel by thinking outside a box that few even know is there.

My language of communication should be English.

    But in my rebellion

           There are times when

                 It seems even that

                        Isn’t my mother tongue.

My rebellion often appears self-defeating - 

communication and connection 

        Are lost

                As I toddle and waddle through life

        Ears deceive brain:

                Mouth, jaw and tongue abandon teamwork.

                        I am left mute and confused.

                                And yet I continue to try.

                                        I leave home.

                        I use yarn, paper and ink etcetera to create.

        AND ABOVE ALL I SHOW MY CREATIONS AND LET THEM GO

Forgotten

by Lisa Rossetti

We walked along the lanes together, my father and I.

The Cornish hedges high and tangled with green,

with tufted grasses bleaching in the sun.

He gave me words for plants and flowers:

Ragged Robin, Purple Vetch, Meadowsweet.

So mesmerised by sun and spells I wandered.

Then spied with child’s quick eyes

the hidden opening in the hedge,

to a long abandoned wayside well.

A small dark place, a shallow pool,

no offerings were left there any more,

its sacredness forgotten, faded.

I wonder now if I could ever find it once again.

the source from which we drink

by Fenella Rennie

Oh, would that I knew. It still seems to be hidden from me. Or perhaps, confessional, I choose not to see.

But also, I think that the source must be hidden within ourselves, oh that it was easier to capture.

Perhaps only by questioning ourselves, about ourselves, can it be reached.

On the other hand, perhaps only by continually saying out loud whatever rises to the surface, will we work out what it is that it all came from?

It feels too existential to be subject to resolution.

The past feels like the universe behind the mirror. Perhaps that's why I have a thing about mirrors.

The source from which we drink

by Antje Bothin

The source from which we drink

It is the lake that rests in peace

It is the river that runs in a hurry

It is a cup of tea that soothes the soul

the source from which we drink

it sends beams of energy towards us

refuels the empty barrels of our minds

and empowers us to shine,

to achieve, to reach our goals, and

to truly become who we are!

********************************************************************

Thanks to you all ...

... for your heartening feedback as always!

Rosemary: Hi, I am Rosemary- joining at last. Covid just clearing so want be vocal

Kay: thankyou Adrienne  kx

Adrienne: Reacted to "thankyou Adrienne  k..." with ❤️

Angie: That was great thank you.  I love watching the clouds move.  When I am meditating and my thoughts get in the way, I will imagine them as passing clouds.

Sheila: Thanks Adrienne

Adrienne: Thank you all. Cloud 9 I love it!

Giovanna: Caught a little of the meditation, thank you so much Adrienne. 

Will try and pop back in for a cheeky wee listen later.

Adrienne: Reacted to "Caught a little of t..." with 👍🏼

Bev: the source from which we drink

Lynnda: Like a manifesto :)

Lynnda: Or a womanfesto!

Doreen: Algorithms have a lot to answer for

Lisa: Indeed

Adrienne: Reacted to "Algorithms have a lo..." with 👍🏼

Lisa: Rushing and surviving

Doreen Kelly: The media don't listen and just say what they believe

Linda: Ange- love the line "they make room for each other"...the swan and the seagull two different species of bird yet they can share the space peaceable

Lynnda: Loved the idea of all the journals of every size and colour  … such a powerful piece thank you for sharing, Linda

Lisa: There are golden coins, treasure in the dark

Doreen: I was thinking of the geological cycle

Lynnda: Brilliant! I loved the idea of coming together as a community ….

Lynnda: Wonderful Karen! An exhortation!! Loved that

Lynnda: Yes!!

Linda: Karen...loved the line...do we ever stop searching under the lid of life...wow love that

Lisa: Does anyone know any competitions for poems about the female body ageing? I have many!! Looking to submit many more poems this year. Please let me know: lisa.rossetti@gmail.com

Lynnda: all this that we call world - I love that

Kay: wonderful to be back   wonderful to have you back bev   thankyou everyone    kx

Giovanna: Loved your quaich and so much more in that Bev

Jo: Thanks all, Great session

Lisa: Thanks to all. Many many thanks.

Karen: Wonderful morning, thank you so much everyone x

Antje: Thank you very much. 🙂

Lesley: thanks everyone that was wondefful! x

Angie: Thank you everyone. Its been lovely spending a creative and peaceful morning with you all.

Doreen: thanks 

Bev: here is the link to that documentary on Anaximander

Bev: and this is that doctor conversation that made my heart sing 

Thanks to funders

Lapidus Scotland gratefully acknowledges the support of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership's "Wellbeing for Longer in Glasgow Fund" (managed by Impact Funding Partners).

Slow Ink session 21st January 2023

Today Adrienne introduced her Bodyscan practice with a poem "Stop" by Jeff Foster

 

Bev took a writing prompt from the poem "Hermit Crab" by Mary Oliver

my rebellion

*****************************************************************

And now for some of 

YOUR WRITING:

Rebel?

by Antje Bothin

Sometimes I am a rebel

I get out of my shell

I have been quiet for so long

Now I found my voice and I feel strong.

I had an education, spent my life at university

Conducted my research, earned a PhD

Now I have finished and I am absolutely free

I am proud of myself and happy as can be.

I am still single, I live on my own

I am without a partner, in my comfort zone

No children, no pets, I am all alone

I am not even addicted to my mobile phone.

I found a way to connect with nature outright

Discovered walking in Scotland’s countryside

Grab my boots every week for some outdoor fun

Planting, sowing, weeding, all that I have done.

Work is overrated, didn’t you guess?

You see, volunteering is so much less stress!

I love to do new things for all to tell

And I enjoy learning cool stuff as well.

If you think I am different and very bright

Then you are probably totally right

I always knew it, it is in these rhymes

I am a rebel – sometimes.

********************************************************************

Thanks to you all ...

... for your heartening feedback as always!

Kay: beautiful    thankyou Adrienne   kx

Linda: Adrienne, words cannot describe the peace I felt during this body scan. There was not a line of the poem I did not need to hear today (every day) thank you for guiding us through this practice. Please remind me of the name and author of the poem

Maggie: That was a helpful body scan, thank you

Pauline: That was wonderful

Adrienne Hannah: Thank you.

Antje: Thanks

Adrienne: The poem is Stop by Jeff Foster.

Linda: Thank you

Lesley O'Brien: That was just wonderful, thank you Adrienne

Adrienne: Thanks Lesley.

Fenella: I see what you mean about the hermit crab being prose!

Giovanna: Lesley - “but to dance alongside the spirit of others”

Giovanna: Bex - “I was in, retreating from the real world”

Zoë: gorgeous

Giovanna: Kay - what a first line! “freed to spread like silk and lace and ribbon” “I bow low at her rebellion” “inside which she hid the fears the aching” and all of it

Denise: Amazing, Kay. So rich and so complex and colourful, like your subject.

Giovanna: Pauline - love the power of the stillness of this

Pauline: Thank you

Fenella: Good for you !!

Zoë: this body causes trouble

Zoë: love it

Fenella: me too, love it that is!

Giovanna: Jennifer - “oh but the body, this body causes trouble” “it wants to be free” love the fluidity of the body’s escape as written

Zoë: toddle & waddle - loving the sounds!

Giovanna: Doreen - “to think differently, to be creative, though not in the way they expect” “mouth, jaw and tongue abandoned”

Giovanna: Antje - “I have been quiet for so long” “i found a way to connect with nature” “I am a rebel, sometimes”

Antje: Thank you

Denise: Giovanna - idea of life carved out before you were birthed - yes

Giovanna: April-Wendy - “how they wash out the grit bark ? spit”

Zoë: brilliant!

Giovanna: Denise - “the first little dances restrained self-conscious” “will meld with the air that loops between us, not yet touching but coming close”

Giovanna: Linda - “I hold back” “I never knew I had a rebellious bone”

Denise: Linda - relating to that kind of “way I’ve been made”

Giovanna: Fenella - “to push every barrier that someone might think they have put in my way” “not starting the journey”

Linda: thank you x

Pauline: Beautiful and powerful

Denise: Fenella - if you’ve set up a barrier, it’s essential to push - interesting

Giovanna: Jan - Oh how I want to hear it all!

Denise: Those are lovely, Jan.

Pauline: Purple rain

Pauline: powerful

Giovanna: Cath - “it’s present in every word I write on an empty page” “as I sit alone in silence"

Giovanna: Kate - “I toe the various lines that encircle me” Yes to odd socks!!!! Not disorganisation but rebellion!!

Zoë: wonderful words today everyone :)

Giovanna: Love it Jo!

Giovanna: I need to slip away sharpish today. Thank you to Bev and Adrienne and everyone for a wonderful start to the weekend. So many words will stay with me.

Giovanna: Maggie - “not to...” “to trust the truth of the wilderness”

Giovanna: Bev - “I do life brightly” “I shout loud, too loud.. too bad” “my knees are scarred from stumbles” “my heart is huge and hardy”

Denise: Bev - yes, my heart is huge and hardy - beautiful and true.

Pauline: Absolutely fantastic morning

Kay: as always wonderful   thankyou everyone   kx

Antje: Thank you Bev and Adrienne. I enjoyed everybody's poetry and the mindfulness.

Jennifer Bradley: thanks so much everyone

Angie Strachan: Thank you again everyone.  Have a lovely weekend.

Zoë: thank you again

Denise: Thank you so much, Adrienne, Bev, all

Bev: Here's Lesley's song on the radio about 2:13 minutes in:

Bev: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001h3wm?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Thanks to funders

Lapidus Scotland gratefully acknowledges the support of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership's "Wellbeing for Longer in Glasgow Fund" (managed by Impact Funding Partners).