When and Where Deep songs Are meant to be sung In the dark At first, alone And then amongst friends And then alone again To make sure they are intact. Deep songs, when released At the right place and time Make deep grooves In the pavement and dirt And alter the landscape forever. Even if someone falls into your groove It retunes them to their own Inner song And music and magic Happens everywhere. -Patricia Anderson About a month ago, I felt myself being drawn more and more to the power of poetry. I sort of made a promise to myself that I would actively seek out a new poem to share each week. Well, the art of great poetry seems to be enthusiastically finding a place by my side. In fact, I'm a little surprised at how easily these poems seem to be finding me, little to no seeking at all. When this poem found it's way to my doorstep, it really touched a nerve in me regarding how it feels to take first steps, mainly creative ones. Also, when and where ....and to whom, these fragile and sometimes rickety first steps are finally revealed.

1st stop - Brooklyn

  

http://www.brooklynflea.com

This past weekend was the kick-off to the seasonal re-opening of the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. What a day! Still a little bit nippy outside, yes, we still had to wear our winter coats but spirits were high and neighbors were out to meet, greet, and purchase some cool handmade items. Welcome Spring!

An old-fashioned typewriter, anyone? A layout of beautiful jewels. Perhaps, a few pieces of clothing to change around a wardrobe? The Flea was certainly jam-packed with possibilities.

Turning the corner, I was surprised to find this little gal setting up shop for her fortune telling business. No, I didn't have my fortune told. Wish I did! I think I'll have to pay her a visit the next time.

What was the type of history attached to these dolls? Who held them? What were their names? What will their chosen names be for the next owner? 

http://www.eleanorsnyc.com

With the warm weather coming I know a lot of us gals are thinking about dusting off our bicycles. This talented artist, Eleanor's NYC, makes really cool baskets and other stylish accessories to add to a great set of wheels.

More history in the form of old photos. Would have loved to sit for hours and rummaged through these moments in time.

Just as I was about to exit I noticed these beautiful dresses. Not exactly my style, but what a mix of colors! 

Well, that's it for the first official SpRiNg outing. It was a great day at the Brooklyn Flea. NYC is just revving up it's schedule for some new adventures. We are slowly shedding our layers and going sockless. Woohoo! Lot's of things still to report. Hope you are enjoying your first layers of spring!

"Let's leave the clever ideas on the shore,

let's be naked like children, curious and open,

let's get wet!"

- via Awakening Women Institute

                                                        

an afternoon with Flora Bowley

Flora Bowley is an amazing artist. If you haven't already heard of her, do check out her wonderful website http://braveintuitiveyou.com/. She has released an awesome book based on her own approach to creating art called, Brave Intuitive Painting -let go, be bold, unfold. Being an Aquarian, I always tend to be attracted to the "zany" in life. And by ZaNy, I mean anything that allows you to celebrate your juices outside the lines. Flora encourages just that. Leave your head and slither right down into your body, your senses. Feel, express, be brave, be free with your colors, lines, circles, dashes, emotions. 

My very first step was to lay the canvas paper down on the floor. I then chose my blue, red, and yellow acrylic paints to begin the process and then I began to splatter the paint down onto the canvas. Taking a spray bottle full of water, I proceeded to spray the colors in any direction that felt right. Next, I brought my canvas into an upright position and let it bleed in whatever way it wanted. A few more sprays of water, a little more maneuvering, and presto! Ok, I am new to this, don't judge.:) I do see a horse's head organically appear towards the top of the painting, so that was kind of cool and an unexpected surprise.

Feeling a little freer with the spray bottle this time. I choose to outline this particular painting with a pen. 

Again, using a pen as a border. I start to see some flowers emerge in this one.

This painting is one that can be found within the pages of her book and certainly one of my favorite works from Flora Bowley. I feel so fortunate to have found her work. One day I would love to take a painting workshop with her. Until then, I guess I will continue to place some canvas down on my little kitchen floor and let the colors fly. Freeing myself a little bit more each day. Well, I hope you enjoyed this artistic excursion! Enjoy the rest of the week, and as Flora might say, "Be Brave, Be Bold".

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

― Shel Silverstein




A little Shel Silverstein to tuck into your pocket on this beautiful first day of a new month. Happy April!

Poetry

And it was at that age ... Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don't know how or when,
no they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.

I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.

And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind. 

                 -Pablo Neruda

This week's poem was taken from the book entitled, Saved by a Poem, by Kim Rosen. Recently, I have been thinking a great deal about new beginnings and next steps. Do you think one must create them, or are they sent to us somehow in the form of intuition, similar to how Pablo Neruda seemed to be introduced to poetry? The intimacy of this poem was what really drew me to it. So beautiful, so wide open. 

The Light in Your Eyes 

If I had named you at birth
you would be called
Intensity
and if I had nurtured you from the start
I'd have made some mistakes
in the name of love
or so I would have said
and when the truth was revealed
I would have pushed back at it
so it would not crush you

A soul formed
dark and deep as Titan's witches brew
and a love
infinite as the stars in the sky
Blue as the light in your eyes.

                           -Janet Jordan

Today's poem was written by my friend Janet Jordan. She and I would chat back and forth about the joys of creativity. Creativity that often remained in the dark ....just between me, myself, and I. One day we decided to share some of our secret works with one another. She sent me several poems but there was just something about this particular one that somehow stayed with me a little longer than the others. So on this rather cloudy NYC afternoon, I proudly present the awesome poetry of Ms. Janet Jordan.