a self portrait, of sorts
for a manifesto, of sorts
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i want to be the old laughing lady.
i want to notice the things that really matter, always.
the sweet smile, the embrace,
the first daffodil poking its head through the snow.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i live in the world i have made for myself.
i survive in the world at large.
my heart spit out its bitter years ago,
making room for more love.
and more questions.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i run through life at top speed
because i want to fit everything in.
there is too much of everything.
there is not enough of anything.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
words are my window to existence.
i am words.
i have always been words, even before i could speak them.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i believe that being alive is a gift.
i believe that being grateful for every breath you take
is the only way to say thank you.
i believe in so much and so little, all at once.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i am a heart that beats out a pattern
like a far-off drum in the night.
i am a soul.
an old soul, a new soul, a wise soul.
a soul that knows nothing.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
i am open.
.. ..
….
….
I am participating in Madelyn Mulvaney’s persisting souls photography e-course.
I was so hesitant to do a self-portrait, so hesitant to do a manifesto.
But here I am. This is me, being brave.
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:51 am
So beautiful! Love the self-portrait.
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
First off, excellent photo. Just beautifully done. 🙂
I want to be the laughing old lady too. (Well, I’m not in a hurry, but when I get there, I’d better find something to laugh about!) I’d rather die (how’s that for drama?) than be old and bitter with a heart too cold to care.
Lovely post, Kelly!
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:02 am
oh!!!! i love this!! open!! there is so much i wish for here – a heart that has spit out bitterness! yes! i hear that sweet heart beating its pattern off in the distance, and i am following.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 am
oh! and your image!! (i am full of OHS! this morning – lol!) you are movement and softness and i love!!!
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:06 am
I believe in so much and so little all at once…Yes. And, like you cultivate a grateful heart. What a glorious ride. And all of the lovely words that it takes to even begin to try to describe it! Muster along, my sweet poet!
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:19 am
“my heart spit out its bitter years ago,
making room for more love.”
Swoon.
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:26 am
“a soul that knows nothing” or everything
Wise friend, I am richer for knowing you.
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~
November 3rd, 2011 at 12:25 pm
As you so often do – you’ve left me breathless and speechless at the same time. You are you – so brave and – yes – so open!
November 3rd, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I’m in love with this post Kelly and the image is gorgeous. Somes days it feels as though you’ve reached deep down inside of me and pulled the words that are in me out.
November 3rd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
This is stunning. I love your honesty. Brilliant.
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Beautiful poem! I say let go and dance, sing, breathe every moment as if it were your last.
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:35 pm
fantastic ..amazing lady you are~
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:50 pm
love the photo and love the words! i want to be a laughing old lady, too (i might already be one!)
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:11 pm
So creative and beautiful.
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:49 pm
i also believe that being grateful for every breath you take
is the only way to say thank you.
i believe that this is beautiful.
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I love all the contrast, like this:
“there is too much of everything.
there is not enough of anything.”
Most things of interest are paradoxical.
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Oh, that mortality awareness has been getting to me lately (maybe it was the recent to tip to the second half of a century), and I feel like I’ve been racing everywhere. Well, I am racing everywhere!
Slow, slow, girl (she says, breating deeply). This is what I need to keep reminding myself of… the gift of being alive, yes! no matter how old the soul. 😉
November 4th, 2011 at 7:00 am
stunning and terribly important. all of it. you are magic. xxoo
November 4th, 2011 at 8:31 am
oh, how I love this!
( here via elk.. nice to meet you )
November 4th, 2011 at 10:47 am
works perfectly .. both words and image ..
November 4th, 2011 at 11:22 am
As I was reading this (and rereading this) I got chills and goosebumps. I still have them, in fact. Every phrase is so rich and honest and open. What an exquisite soul you have…
November 4th, 2011 at 11:32 am
on a daily basis you kill me with your words.
November 4th, 2011 at 11:38 am
this is ABSOLUTELY beautiful….every word struck a chord with me !
xo
November 4th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Lovely and powerful. I think we could be kindred spirits.
Kat
November 4th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
as always, yes
November 4th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
beautiful. never thought of doing a self portrait with words….
November 5th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
The honesty level in this piece is piercing.
These two lines are the juxtaposition of the week.
there is too much of everything.
there is not enough of anything.
Great.
November 7th, 2011 at 6:43 am
This takes my breath away!
Then coaxes it back again slow and rich
and fuller than before….steady and drawing
in deep gulps of joy.
This is just WOW!
My heart is all swollen with it…much, much thanks for sharing!
-Jen