Drought

"The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossum.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom:
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy."

Isaiah 35:1-2

This bible verse has played a significant part in my life in the past and most recently I encountered it twice in the same day. Certainly as far as my writing and blogging has been concerned there has been a significant drought. I was led to blogspot a couple of days ago and was amazed to see it had been 2 years since I last posted or wrote anything or had read any of the blogs I follow. Apologies for my lack of response to your comments.

Life took a dramatic turn for me at that time with the breakup of my marriage and subsequent return to work and there has been little physical or emotional space for many of the creative things I enjoy. I have been frantically treading water for quite some time but now feel a shift and am able to float more calmly on the surface. I hope to be able to return to my writing in some small way over the next few months.

This thought for the day is from a fellow bloggers post but I have pinched it as it sums up perfectly what I need to express at the present time.

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don't and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy, they just promised it'd be worth it." (unknown)

S.A.D.

photo at: www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/image_galleries/g..

S.A.D.

Boxed in and pressed on all sides.

Shrouded by cloud and padded by double glazing.

Gone is the wide open blue of endless possibility.

I pace and sleep, pace and sleep,

I wait and wait, wait and wait.

suzi

It has rained unrelentlessly all morning the day before I am due to start my walking holiday in The Yorkshire Dales and I have to admit it has dampened my spirits somewhat. The clouds are so low, dark and heavy you can almost feel them smothering you. If only one could take a spear and launch it heavenward to pierce the grey and allow a chink of bright blue to to cascade down and lift one upwards. We know it is there, that is the hope for tomorrow.

What to do when you find a poem you like

image from: http://www.selkiebindery.com/images/gallery/dreamflyblue-obj.gif

What to do when you find a poem you like

Read it again

And write it

Learn it by heart

Recite it

Sing it

Rave it

Paint it on a flag

And wave it

Feed it

Ride it

Climb right down inside it

Fly on its back

For a night and a day

Then pat it and kiss it

And give it away

Adrian Mitchell - don

Sabrina Mahfouz, who I met on an Arvon course ( a very talented and creative person and excellent slam poet) posted this poem on FB. I love it, especially the lines "Climb right down inside it Fly on its back For a night and a day." When a poem touches you intensely, emotionally, you want to spend time with it, cuddled under the duvet just like a good book. You get lost in it and transported away. For days and even weeks it can be there by your side, touching your thoughts, shaping you and changing you.

Mattress

photo E How

Mattress

You lay me down. We acquaint by gradual movements:

a stretch, a curl, a turn, through nights of

restless dreaming. Impressed

I spring to the rhythm of your lovemaking,

taut and in my prime; absorb the whispered secrets

of thrills and emissions.

The cycle of the moon bruises, your musky scent

lingers. Our lives merge undercover in the flickering

shadows of dusk.

There are days when you rarely leave me - sad, lost

hours where you cling to my sides like a frightened child.

Reluctant to wake to nature's chime

you bury your head in me and cry soft tears. You are mine

again. Salt-stained wounds dry with time,

life and laughter return.

Now weak and sagging with years, I cradle your trembling

foetal form, feel your breath rasp,

hesitate and depart.

Suzi

Inspired by Jean Sprackland's 'Mattress'. This one - before the embankment.

Race For Life

Well, this past weekend I finally did it - the Race For Life that is. It's over two months ago now that my friend suggested I do this race in Southampton for the cancer research charity. I jumped at the chance.I have always supported cancer research and I desperately needed to get fitter after a long period of illness. I have been training since then, gradually building up my fitness levels. I used to cross country run at high school and then rowed at Uni where running formed part of my training but since those days have done nothing - that's a lot of years to catch up on. Fortunately it has been a bit like riding a bike, I seemed to have slotted back into it quite quickly and am feeling all the better for it (more about that in another post). Have managed to raise about £200, thanks to my supporters


Southampton hosts one of the larger events. Over 9000 women of all ages, sizes, levels of fitness walking , running and jogging together. On each person's back the name or picture of the person they are running for - some past away, some in remission, some who have won the battle. Very moving experience and one you don't forget easily. Groups of young people, some in fancy dress, mothers and daughters, prams and wheelchairs, all types contributed.


I managed to complete the 5k race in 25 mins, a big achievement for me. Tired at the end but still smiling. Stiff legs now so I know I put the effort in. Well done to everyone who participated and helped raise a fantastic amount of money.