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Sharing the insights I discover as I explore and experience the mystery that is our reality. Join me in my journey and share yours.




Sunday, April 1, 2012

Trying Something New: Poetry Challenge (Day 1)

I've been reading through a great book, Integral Life Practice by writers from the Integral Institute, which aims at equipping readers with insights and tools that they can use in order to live more integrally.  In order to develop as broad of a perspective as one can Integral Life Practice suggests various activities which are aimed to cultivate more awareness and creativity.

One such practice that is suggested is for the practitioner to engage in is creative writing. I love to write but I wouldn't say I necessarily find my writing within the category of "creative writing". In my view, creative writing is reserved for works of fiction and poetry, essential components of culture's bright and diverse tapestry. I dabble in poetry every so often but I would not call myself a poet. You can find some of my poems here: http://ascendingthehills.blogspot.com/p/my-poetry.html

When fellow blogger Sweepy Jean posted an article inviting all bloggers in our mutual group to participate in a poetry challenge in which participants are to write daily on a given theme during the entire month of March,  I felt compelled to at least try it out. I figured it might be the best way to try to get into the habit of engaging in creative writing. I'm not sure if I will be posting it on my main page or move the poems to a separate page. I guess I'll see how things progress.

So, here's my first poem! As a disclaimer I received the theme this morning and wrote it while refereeing both my kids as they squabbled over which tv shows to watch! This is the beauty of the challenge I think. To discipline oneself to write daily no matter what life throws at you. Also, I think it is a humbling endeavor as well due to the limited time one has to write and also the fact that the themes are given. One is provoked to post work that might not yet be to one's standards. What a great way to overcome our egos! My approach is to take the theme and see where it takes me...Hope you enjoy!

The theme today was: Carpe Diem





A Moment's Epiphany



He heaves and shudders, twists and turns,
Muscles ripple across fleshy canvas
shimmering light conceived
from a star 93 million miles away.

Heaps of granite and stone
standing long before his first breath
and which will remain long after his last,
Taunt his senses, beckoning him to ascend
and become one, tasting the sky.

Hands probe and seek
every intimate groove and crevice,
Body contracting in agony, he lifts himself higher.
Past and future dissipate as the north blows 
her strong breath across time and space. 
Goosebumps emerge though sweat pours out.

Without warning meaning manifests as sense and spirit
consummate. A radiant luminosity breaks through
consciousness; infinity within weds the 
stony bride of indifference his body clings to. 

Alive, fully alive and aware of every pebble falling,
His breath uneven and heavy, the cloud that just moved across
the heavens blocking the sun, coveting it from all others.
His soul cries out to him like some long lost
prophet: Take hold of each moment with passion
For between heartbeats is a window in which the soul sees God.

 

Thoughts? I'd love to hear them! If you are participating in the challenge feel free to post your link in the comments section! Thanks everyone!

24 comments:

  1. Wow, no disclaimer needed at all! This is great inspiration to live life to the fullest. You're off to a great start. Write on! <3

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  2. Thank you Adriene! I appreciate the encouragement and am glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  3. Thanks....I enjoyed yours too! :)

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  4. Hello.
    Definitely inspiring. Keep it up! I'm going to need as much inspiration as possible since I'm doing the A-Z Challenge & NaPoWriMo.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Day1: The Attraction

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    1. You are very ambitious Andy! Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great. :)

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  5. I so admire everyone of you who took this challenge. It takes a lot of discipline inorder to do so :)

    Your poem becomes you Jessica. I could feel the intensity and strength of each word you used. Exciting and adventurous, full of life and passion!

    Loved it :) I'm looking forward to your next posts :)

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    1. Glad you liked this one and that you're looking forward to the one's coming up. I'm taking it day by day and am hoping I can keep up! :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. You poem took me on the adventure. And the closing line let me know that I don't have to scale mountains, or do something outrageously brave, to live my life fully. Thank you for your beautiful words and inspiration.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by Lex. I am glad you enjoyed my poem and am refreshed hearing someone explain it to me and know that my intended meaning for the poem was truly conveyed. I believe we can live life fully moment to moment, in both the extraordinary and ordinary moments alike.
      Thanks again! :)

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  7. What a great beginning to a month of poetry. Looking forward to reading more of your poems.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog. :)

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  8. What an excellent way to start out the month. Glad to have you on board for this. I look forward to reading more.

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  9. WOW! You are good...

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    1. Thank you Savira...This is becoming a fun challenge for me..Something I don't usually do. I'm glad you liked it. :)

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  10. This was the birth if the universe. Very illuminating!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  11. Jessica - This is fantastic. I especially love this:

    Hands probe and seek
    every intimate groove and crevice,
    Body contracting in agony, he lifts himself higher.
    Past and future dissipate as the north blows
    her strong breath across time and space.
    Goosebumps emerge though sweat pours out.

    The imagery is perfect!

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    1. Thank you Corinne...I tried to keep in mind the whole rule "Show don't tell"..and tried to convey while doing that the protagonist being fully in the moment.
      ~blessings

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  12. Thank you. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  13. If this is what you write when you're breaking up a kiddie squabble then I can't imagine what you could do when fully centered! This was lovely and gritty and sweaty and beautiful. Loved it Jess!

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    1. Thank you Leah..you are so sweet and encouraging. Someday I'll get my week up in the mountains somewhere to just write...Maybe I'll come out with a book that way! :)

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  14. Jessica, this is beautiful work. Mountain climbing never sounded so poetic. Lovely piece.

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  15. Jessica, I love the line about the space between heartbeats... I agree.

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