After listening to Anne Sexton

[Doreen Peri]

It makes me want to recite again.
I miss my life,
the parts I’ve put aside,
in order to manage the rest.
I miss my voice,
my choice of words,
my language; I was blessed.

And now, how I am speechless.
Overwrought with not a breath.

And more than that, I’m silent
so nothing now, bereft
But I go on. And on and on I go.
It is so hugely sad
and yet I’m glad that I have been
wherever when I wasn’t absent yet.

[mnaz]

Why not recite again?
You made words dance
"back in the day," so why
not again?

[Doreen Peri]

I could. I guess.

I need to get moving and get back into doing the things I love to do. Thx for the encouragement

[saw]

we cannot go back to change things
that time has elapsed and what is done is done
I know you don't need me to remind you of that
But there is so much you could do going forward.....
you were my favorite writer when I joined Studio 8
and i believe there is much inside you to still release
Grandma Moses started painting at 78 years old
and I've never read and criticism of why she didn't start earlier
there are thousands of possiblities for why we ebb and flow
you sound to me like you are on the brink of busting loose
ease in...I started painting around the same time I joined Studio 8
wasn't doing much at all because I was still working and had kids to tend to
but somewhat miraculously i believe I have over 300 paintings on my Instagram page
this isn't boasting...i'm just as surprised as anyone else....I know i'm not a great painter
but it's the effort and commitment that i feel good about, the passion...and well
I believe you'll feel the same thing if you ease in, and keep on going
You have a solid track record, so you won't be starting from scratch, I hope
this message greets you in the the positive spirit it is intended

one thing to consider is... don't fret about everything being a masterpiece
we all have to crawl , before we walk, before we run....it's the process we need to embrace

[sasha]

 
for me it was important not to try writing like I used to
but to let myself write like I do now
it didn't come easy -
I thought I had to finish those stalled projects -
the sci-fi epic, the supernatural thrillers
unfinished dead ends...
what got written was good
but it went nowhere
just... tapered off...
I thought something within me had died
and maybe it had
but at the same time
something else had been born
new perspectives on old times
reflections on a lifetime lived
sketches of a dreamer who'd awakened
but remembered the dreams...
the past is only training for the present
and when we outgrow it
best way forward is just try stuff
some will click, some won't
but you'll know which is which

[Doreen Peri]

Thank you Steve & Roy for your supportive feedback!

I listened to Anne Sexton reciting a poem last night and it inspired me to write this short piece about reciting poetry . I love Anne Sexton. And I like this piece that came out of me quite easily. It is honest. Authentic. It has cadence and truth. I’m pleased with it. It sounds good when read aloud. Last night an old poet friend told me she identified with it. That’s something! Maybe I’ll record it.

It’s clear to me what’s missing. My keyboard. I use my phone almost exclusively these days and type with one finger. It’s not the same as a keyboard. I need to sit myself in front of a computer and let the words pour out. That’s when the words flow the best for me, using a keyboard. I’ve had some success writing longhand with a pen, also, but I think a full keyboard it my better friend.

I appreciate your kindness, Steve. I really didn’t know you thought my work was any good and I love the inspiration of grandma Moses and also your body of work. I love your paintings. I’m glad you think I have more left in me. I hope so. Because I’m telling you, I am emotionally empty without my work. I feel useless. I’ve been worried that it’s all over and I’m going to die bc I haven’t been writing or painting and you can’t play piano in an apartment so I haven’t been doing that either. It’s an empty life without doing those things I love.

BTW, Steve, I posted some photos of your visit to Herndon VA when Creativesoul (Jana) was here and we met for lunch. I posted them on the Radio8 thread in the discussions forum. It’s turning into a reminiscing thread.

Roy, you are so right. The new work will include the new experiences and energy. If it doesn’t flow and represent authenticity, it isn’t any good. It will have to and moving forward, it will.

Anyway, I appreciate the inspiration from you both and I will get back to it. I’m not ready to quit.

I’m still alive over here.

Nothing to it but to do it. I have more paintings in me too. And more songs.

I feel so lucky to have people in my life who give a shit — like you guys.

[winddance]

got to thinking about the great depression and did some research . was curious about whether they meant the economy or how people felt. I can feel people's anti joy all around me. People aren't doing the things like art and music because of everything going on and the sadness keeps engulfing their life. I'm so glad to hear what you are saying about getting those creative juices flowing. we can't change the world much but maybe we can help them get out of the slump, the depression of joy.

[Doreen Peri]

winddance— yeah, I’m not the only one. I feel it too. There’s a lot of darkness and lack of positivity. And I’m personally in between different versions of myself. It’s hard work to want to get through it, but I need some light, some brightness— a direction to go in. I keep telling myself if I just could move… just keep moving… eventually that direction will come clear. Thanks for recognizing me on this journey. I appreciate you… I know I don’t often reply but I read most of your posts. You’re inspiring. Thx

[saw]

that was a fun time in Herndon. do you know what's going on with Jana ?.....haven't seen any posts anywhere for awhile now

[saw]

It was also a great time getting together with you to each read in Maryland at Dino's sister's house at a tribute to her brother.....wonderful evening.....I miss Dino a lot....we had enough time to become close friends in person when he moved back to Baltimore from Cincinnati.....He helped me paint all the rooms in my house as well.....best painter I've ever seen, a real pro....showed me a lot of tricks....but more importantly we was a great guy.....very good writer...and a friend