Thursday, January 27, 2011

Words for It by Julia Cameron

Rose Petal Heart by Marion

Words For It
By Julia Cameron

I wish I could take language
and fold it like cool, moist rags.
I would lay words on your forehead.
I would wrap words on your wrists.
"There, there," my words would say–
or something better.
I would ask them to murmur,
"Hush" and "Shh, shhh, it's all right."
I would ask them to hold you all night.
I wish I could take language
and daub and soothe and cool
where fever blisters and burns,
where fever turns yourself against you.
I wish I could take language
and heal the words that were the wounds
you have no names for.

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"For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die." ~Anne Lamott, from "Bird by Bird"

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I have no words of my own this week.  I'm January-ed out, blank, ready for February and the promise of Spring.  I love this poem by Julia Cameron from her amazing book, "The Artist's Way" and have it taped on my closet door.  It's exudes love and comfort to me and I hope it does the same for you.  xoxoxo

Love & Blessings,
Marion

11 comments:

Snowbrush said...

I wonder if she's related to Virginia Woolf because both of her names either belong to her or to one of her daughters.

Say, that woman in the photo at the top had better get off that ground or she'll be covered with ticks and red bugs, and that's if the fireants don't get her!

Marion said...

thank you, Marion...I love Julia Cameron's books. This is such a great poem.

I know what you mean by being January-ed out. It has been a tough winter...I hope Spring will come quickly for you.

Wine and Words said...

I love this Marion. Truly, each time. Love it. And you..and the promise of February moonshine :)

It is the January fog for me. I love fog, but then it becomes so heavy and I can't see the sky and I feel trapped....down here, when I wish to be lighter.

((Hugs)) my Marion!

Rosaria Williams said...

I too wish I could take language and...
Thanks for the early Valentine, Marion and for Bob Dillan's song playing in the background. "You're the best thing he's ever seen!"

Kelly said...

I like the poem!

You've been absent for a few days and I've missed you!! Yes....I'm tired of the cold, too. I'm ready for Spring. (although I just looked out the window and saw a lovely little goldfinch... we have tons of them, waiting to put on their spring feathers!)

Marion said...

Snow, I lay in the grass and I don't get ticks and redbugs...but I've been at war with the fire ants all my life. Tee-Hee. Thanks for stopping by!

Marion, I know you're sick of the cold up there in the frozen North. I appreciate you!!

Annie, I can't wait...but I'm glad I still have several weeks to get my house clean before you get here. LOL! Even Ray's doing Spring cleaning. Gotta love it. Now if only I could get all those cats to work... xoxo

Rosaria, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit and the music. Blessings!

Kelly, we're doing Spring cleaning and some home improvement stuff so I've been out and about. I've had a plumber, electrician and a handyman here recently. Not one of them Ray. LMAO! I'm enjoying the sunshine, too, and the birds. Blessings!

Snowbrush said...

"Snow, I lay in the grass and I don't get ticks and redbugs.."

Ah, but you do a controlled burn first, which means that the grass isn't all that comfortable, plus you get soot all over your white dress.

Woman in a Window said...

It seems like it is a chasm we enter right now, doesn't it, this part of January and the beginning of February? It tests the spirit. I see people struggling with it. Hell, I am struggling with it in spite of loving winter. I see people panic against it. This is not good. Could use some of that loving word balm to lay a few tumultuous souls to rest, Marion. But words won't do it for some people. For some people, they just need to wait for the sun.

Hang in there, Marion. We'll press on through, and in the meantime stay the hell away from J. Salter's Light Years. Did a number on my head, although the language was nothing short of brilliant. (Hey, look at me, I actually finished a book!)

xo
erin

Marion said...

Snow, you just need to pack your Left Coast ass on up and come back to your Mississippi roots!! LOL! I don't burn my leaves anymore, I compost them. And Ray took my matches away from me after that last incident with his favorite bath robe. Tee-Heee

ERIN, ERIN, now you farkin' KNOW I'll HAVE to find that book and read it. If it had that strong of an effect on YOU, it must be a mind-blowing read. Thank you very much, dearest poet-friend. And congrats on finishing a damn book. Keep up the good work. You GO, girl!!! xoxo

Januarie said...

Love your blog, the music and your posts!

Leslie Moise, Author said...

What a lovely poem. I have tears in my eyes. So compassionate.