...embers lifting from a fire.
--Ross Gay "Yellowjackets"
Today I decided it's time to get back to grabbing a line from something I've read and writing something related. I have a notebook specifically for that purpose, but don't get to it daily as intended. I wrote a short poem from the prompt above and thought that was it.
Then I read a chapter from Terry Tempest Williams' book The Glorians. The chapter was called "Dewdrops" and it was about taking a course in Japanese calligraphy. As I read what she wrote, the difficulties she was encountering, I felt I could relate. I had some of the same issues with Zentangle, something I tried and tried and had just about given up on. Fortunately for me, I have an awesome art friend who is certified in Zentangle, and eventually I found my way, with her help, to how Zentangle works for me. The last two sessions provoked work I was so proud of they are still hanging on my refrigerator!
One of the things Terry mentions is the instructor said: One breath, one stroke. I liked that.
Then I had this idea to use breathing to make a piece of art to go with the poem I had just written. Focusing on the idea of one breath, one stroke, I took a fine liner and a few brush pens and the next thing I knew, I had a simple creation.
embers
lifting from a fire
thoughts
of something random
yet connected
that emerge
little fires
we have never
quite put out
