Adrienne's mindfulness practice today used the Support of Sound. She opened with Mary Oliver's poem How I go to the Woods and by the time we reached the writing section everyone was well tuned to listen, to explore our writing prompt...
my life conversation
This was inspired by the writing of David Whyte, in particular his poem "Everything is Waiting for you". Since listening is the best part of conversation, this followed on nicely from the mindfulness practice with sound. An excellent exploration of this takes place in this Krista Tippett interview with the poet: The Conversational Nature of Reality
Giovanna is recommending we enter some of this wonderful writing in the Glasgow Women's Library's
Bold Types: Scottish Women’s Creative Writing Competition Come on, get those pieces sent in!
Annan has sent a link her performance "Deep Canyon" some years ago... a journey through her ovarian cancer experience. Get yourself a cup of tea... this is an hour of rich sharing you don't want to miss, thanks Annan!
Good news this week from Anja... some of her work has been published in the latest anthology from Dreich Themes, "The Family Chapbook". She writes under "Annick Yerem".
And Hiliare has asked me to share Norman MacCaig’s poem "Summer Farm" - stunning... it could have been any one of you!
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And now for some of
YOUR WRITING:
The getting together session
by Priscilla Webster
Me and the Tree
We have got together daily in this lockdown
lockup lockin lockout time.
I know she knows I am there,
she flings down helicopters and leaves,
she nurses a darling treecreeper and her nestlings,
she towers tall and proud and so, so green for now.
I know that underground she uses her lovingkindnesses
to accompany other roots
to warn them of danger
from man and disease, she comforts them.
And receives with grace their returning care.
We are in love, me and the tree.
Priscilla is also recommending these books for reading:
"“The Overground” by Richard Powers, a novel where I learned loads about trees. Next I’ll read “The Underground” by Robert McFarlane, maybe companion to the above."
My life conversations….
by Joyce Nicholson
Right now, drawing deep down into Dharma ,
Mindfulness filled noticing,
Of lifetimes of patterns, old friends and hungry ghosts,
Grappling with impermanence,
And the joy of being present, right now.
Being with my-self, and all of you beings,
And the infinite expansiveness in hearing,
The crack, crack crackle of the fire,
The orange, orange, of the blackbirds beak,
The green, green, emerald heartfelt love
At the sight of all of you,
Sharing our wickedly phenomenal writing,
What a wonderful gift you have given us.
28.8.20
by Kath Higgens
Everything was waiting for us, Mum,
as we walked the narrow lane together,
light sparkling on a dew-drop,
you reminiscing at the sight of “liquid gold”-
a huge steaming dollop of horse manure,
reminding you of your embarrassment
when sent out by your Mum to collect it -
me trying to capture flitting butterflies on camera.
The daily walks we had, your arm in mine,
chatting or silent, no matter.
Or by the river, you supping hot chocolate,
commenting on children – you saw so many twins! –
me pointing out geese and ducks, heron flying overhead.
Now, I wonder what is waiting for me…
your suitcase had been packed for so long,
then you made your final exit as lockdown began,
me in a far-off country.
Now I will walk the lanes alone,
perhaps hearing your old words in my head –
“Those children are so close in age,
they MUST be twins!”
gale force
by Hilaire
lean into the wind.
surrender
to its push and bluster
your hair's wild tangle
your holler thrown back
down your throat
re-erupting as laughter.
splay your arms
and let your coat
sail you past the edge
of the whirlpool.
surf these silverfast currents
that twist you
into a cascade
of somersaults.
have no thought
for your landing.
trust in the slow ebb
that will cushion
your return.
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Thanks to you all ...
... for your heartening feedback as always... see you soon!
Kay: thankyou Adrienne kx
Candyce: that was lovely. Thank you!
Larky: I hope this can continue in some way. I was blown away by the writing that some of you shared last week. I look at your intriguing names and faces and want to hear more. Larky
Anja: Thank you, Adrienne. That practice was really lovely.
Giovanna: I agree Larky, it would be so good to continue.
Louise: hope so
Bev Lapidus: my life conversation (the writing prompt)
Bex: scamp needs out, so I need to go out with him. lovely to share time and words with you all
Catrice: Well done Giovanna!
Susan: Great, Giovanna!
Giovanna: Thank you
Anja: Wonderful, Giovanna!
Anja: I loved this!
Hilaire: Loved that Joyce!
Giovanna: That was wonderful Joyce, loved you repetition, perfectly used!
Anja: Joyce, that was great
Anja: Isabel, thank you!
Giovanna: “the blues and greys in me stop screaming” thank you Catrice
Hilaire: Wow! That was beautiful Catrice xx
Anja: Simply wonderful, Catrice
Catrice: Thank you, Giovanna
Catrice: Thank you, Anja
Britt: so many seeds to cultivate from that one, Catrice...
Catrice: Thank you, everyone. <e
Britt: Wow, Sandra....
Catrice: Sandra! You are fire!!!!!!!!!!
Catrice: Wow!!!
Sandra: Thanks Catrice
Lesley O: loving all of this! x
Catrice: Britt! Excellence. Loved that.
Kay: wonderful wonderful stuff so far thankyou everyone kx
Giovanna: Anja that was fantastic “to dance in abandoned living rooms”
Catrice: So beautiful Anja. <3
Anja: Thank you!
Lesley O: brilliant Anja!
Giovanna: “bathing the mountain’s flanks in colour” gorgeous Susan
Candyce: no. I’m sorry. Internet barely hanging on! Thank you for including me. I loved this. I hope there is more. I will read the next time!
Catrice: Jo, your voice is amazing for reading out loud. I love hearing you read. So much nuance, pleasant modulating tones, and authority, and humor.
Catrice: Yes, I agree Britt!
Catrice: The work today is amazing! Thank you.
Anja: And so much laughter today- wonderful!
Britt: Excellent medicine for the one suitcase, or maybe both?
Hilaire: Thank you again!!
Giovanna: It’s been so wonderful everyone, I wish we could all meet up!
Britt: Agreed....
Catrice: I am going to miss you ladies (until the next time). Truly. This has been wonderful. Thank you so much. Pleasure to meet you all. I do plan to return. You ladies are tops!
Sandra: That's a great idea Giovanna!
Britt: I second that emotion, Catrice...
Michele Hipwell: Thank you for these sessions, Bev and Adrienne, an inspired duo, and to all, such a delight to listen to you all.
Susan: Thank you Bev and Adrienne and everyone. The sessions have been fantastic. I hope to see you all soon, Susan
Giovanna: Thank you so much Bev and ADrienne, this group has been so beautifully led, I feel as if I am with a group of really good friends X
Sandra: Till next time? I've loved these sessions. Thank you all x
Anja: Thank you to Adrienne and Bev for creating a safe and wonderful haven and thank you to all of you, it was lovely to meet you all and hear the gorgeous words you wrote
Britt: I am so grateful for all of this. <3<3<3
Hilaire: Thank you everyone for sharing your wonderful words
Louise: loved loved - thank you - see you for the next session defo
Lesley O: Big thank you to everyone! xxxxxx
Kay: thankyou so much bev & Adrienne and everyone for such a special special time hope to see you all again soon kx
Anja: Lovely, thank you Bev!
Yvonne: Thank you Bev & Adrienne. Today was amazing …thank you all for the powerful words that made me laugh and also made me cry today. What a wonderful day…love to all xxx
Catrice: Thank you will send my email.
Jo: Thanks, all for this wonderful connection and sharing time … Especially Bev and Adrienne. xx
Britt: It was lovely to get to know such a beautiful group of people through their writing... how special.
Hilaire: Bye - hope we can do this again xx
Jo: Kay Richie, I so love your work but you have been silent. Please blog your pieces
Isabel: Again, thank you Bev, Adrienne and everyone. Sad to be leaving. xx
and a huge thank you all from Adrienne and Bev... this is not the end