At the beginning of summer, I wrapped up teaching a writing intensive to a dynamic group of talented writers. At the end of our session, we gathered for a potluck to celebrate our progress and the journey it takes to keep writing. On Juneteenth, I wrote a poem. May you be inspired in your own endeavors. ~DGI
Summer Surrender
In you dear writers… this special group
we love, learn, aspire, risk,
We LOVE so hard (had to mention that again),
Give so much of ourselves to others, our passion
this life
our creative mystery
that unfolds each day
When we surrender and own all of our imperfections
sharing our voice, telling our story
loudly, boldly, revealing “this is what pisses me off”
“this is what brings me joy”
our soul smiles
and throws confetti at our heart
When we listen
paying attention
to the clues (there’s so many damn clues)
buried deep in excavation and memory files
of our intricate design
We cultivate what’s lovely, bold and dramatic
to transfer to the page
the thing that made us smile
and feel something deeply
the characters, bullies, haters, relatives and lovers that left an impression in our hearts
in our bodies
spinning our narrative words
into plots and essays we never knew existed
until now
We surrender
Be careful of our watchful eye, ear and heart
we listen deeply,
spellbind and pray ghosts away
plants seeds and wait for gardens to grow
with Irish luck
we cradle songs
crochet poems and sing operas
into murder plots,
we fix and unclutter things
in our head
make room for ourselves by
Including what’s right – (you’re welcome!)
we forgive you
make amends
we forgive ourselves with grace
we’re a work in progress
making new space in our life
for the story that’s been brewing
the story you want to read
We love
We create
We tell stories
We are Writers
This is our sweet surrender
to the new, old and what’s yet to come
We will dance wildly
sometimes with reckless abandon
Seeking FREEDOM
to be all of our true selves
giving ourselves permission
making no apologies
only harnessing joy
owning our truth
taking pen to paper
to write whenever/however
to remember
relive
question
and analyze
our glory days and sleepless nights
the nights we lived, danced
fell off cliffs and mountains
fell into a stupor
fell into the arms
fell into an empty bed
fell in love with ourselves
as our imaginative, meticulous brains
went into overdrive
spinning new unedited and unspoken ideas
only to discover and remember
how we were Alive and free
in the best
unimaginable way
Here’s to…
more living
more writing
paying attention
and taking the time
to sit in quietude, celebration and audacity
of your f**cking brilliance
This is your time to tell the tale, dear writers.
Rock your summer!
Rock it hard.
Sweet summer surrender
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