Timaima
…on the art of expressionThe New Year..
Often when I am overwhelmed — I remind myself to stand still, both physically and mentally. Right now I have much to say — so as a form of my verbal pause — here’s an excerpt from Rumi’s poem ‘This Eternal Play’..
“When I looked I could not see myself
By the magic of the moon’s light
my body dissolved into pure spirit
In this form I journeyed on
Merging with a boundless light
Then the secret of the eternal play
opened up before me..”
I am happy to welcome in a New Year — my 2012 was rough, tough, exhilarating, interesting, happy, sad but most of all transformative. A year that swung on a pendulum of extremes, tumult, unexpected changes and events yet punctuated with moments of excitement and happy.. Ultimately it ended on a sad note, resonated from a life-event and closing the year’s cycle of eventful tectonic changes.
So when I stood at the door of 2013 — I was excited to grab its knob, open and walk through to what I hope will be a year filled with the chance to appreciate the challenges I plowed through and from..
Poem: Here and Now
Sometimes when I write poetry on a whim – the half-hewn composition is thrown into a holding folder where it marinates ..before and at some point is eventually edited, polished and considerered a final draft. I was going through the folder and found this – which didn’t seem to need much tweaking..
Here and Now
The wonder
of walking up
to a tree
Picking its fruit
devouring
its succulence
..as its nectar
becomes Sense’s
elixir
A potion
fanned
with winds
of knowledge
becomes flames
of wisdom
Rise and reaching
into awareness:
The Universe
is nestled
in the palm
of my hands..
With this..
I raise arms
turn in a circle
Lift eyes
to the sky
See my heart
in the stars
Feel its beat
in the wind
Hear its song
in the throng
..of an elevated
Vibration
Mind’s power
opens
infinite doors
into its imagination
Takes us on a trip
to far away places
seeks
the undefinable
and embraces
the unexplained..
But, it is..
..right here
..right now
I look around
See a beauty
Feel an abundance
Hear a song
Sense an amazement
..and understand
Heaven
is right here
..right now
On Earth..
Where I am.
Note: ..one day I will write about what inspired this poem — it’s actually contrasting to its context and incorrigibly funny!
Reading ..a Celebration
At work, a copy of this painting ‘The Valley of Arconville’ (c. 1887) by Theodore Robinson (1852-1896) …sits on a wall, just off the 2nd floor elevator door. It depicts a young woman sitting on a slope, comfortably on grass and reading. Perched in natural surroundings, she is lost to the World …transported into her indulged tale.
Theodore Robinson 'Valley of Arconville'
Paintings of women reading, for me – often invoke an excitement and camaraderie – of Literature, to bask in and explore. A sense of concentrated immersion ..into a tale, an idea, another world – concrete or abstract. The energy leaps from the picture as an aroma of adventure experienced ..horizon expanded or frontier discovered. All within confines of mind, book, iBook, outdoors ..on the grass, amongst the trees – with scents and sounds mingled in a gentle breeze…
Claude Monet 'Dans la prarie'
So along the same vein of ‘Impressionism-Inspired’ ..Spring …and because I adore paintings of women reading – especially outdoors ..it’s only fitting there be a celebration of both.
Berthe Morisot 'Reading'
As we get into the last leg of Spring ..the pollen and ragweed still linger ..weather warms and effort to sprawl outdoors on grass, a mat, blanket… or cozied up in a comfortable chair with a good book…
Robert Reid 'Reverie'
..becomes an endless longing.
iBooks Love..
I am in love obsessed with the iBooks app, on my iPhone!
Apple iPhone
Imagine an entire library of your favorite books – even books 1300 pages long ..all condensed in an application, stored on your cell phone? Ah! The invention is practically THE phenom of the decade!
So, if ever I should be caught gazing at my cell with a giddy smirk or lost in some reverie? — it is only because I was bitten by the iBooks bug.
Now, when doing any kind of waiting or at whim – it’s such a treat to whip out the cell and immerse in a tale ..humdrum through debates and opines ..excite from literary musings ..or simply lose oneself in a poem ..sigh!
Image: tipb.com
A Frenzied Stillness..
Claude Monet’s ‘hoarfrost near Vetheuil’ posseses a stark quietude.
But, what seems like ‘captured stillnes’ ..on closer inspection and depicted in its detail – is a frenzy of paintbrush strokes. Creating a visual bareness abound with hues of varied light and neutral tones – all in formation of miniscule tumult. An arrangement irregular, yet controlled.. A picture, complex in its austerity. A beautiful contradiction in stillness and frenzy.
I saw this painting last December. It was part of the exhibit: ‘Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay’ at the San Francisco De Young. The Exhibit was the second installment of a Tour. An impressive collection on loan from the Musée d’Orsay’, Paris, France.
The entire exhibit was varied and wonderful …but this painting turned into one of my favorites. I guess amidst my frenzied December, it emanated a peace ..its solitude, resolute.
On Walking More..
Since the month began – I am happily affirming plans to ‘Run Less and Walk more..”. So, on a cool but sunny Winter’s day in the middle of February’s first work week — I spontaneously took a day off! By the end of the afternoon – found myself at Piccolo Caffe in Sausalito — relaxing on the outdoor patio, sipping on a whipped cream laced Mocha and enjoying the Sunset’s amber light turn pink over the East Bay and San Francisco skylines ..absolute Bliss!
This was followed by a long walk – south, along Bridgeway Blvd — well past the row of stores and restaurants. As I leisurely strolled, drank in the early evening air – embasked in the sound of gentle waves splashing on pebbles and delighted in the night views of the San Francisco Bay and City skyline. It was utterly delicious, relaxing and enjoyed…
Image: samasc.com ..San Francisco Bay and partial city skyline at night, from Sausalito..
Run Less ..Walk more
This is my first post of the year ..so on that note: A Happy, Hopeful 2011 and ‘Year of the Rabbit’ Wishes!
My year began with a “Bang!” …well, with the usual fireworks, parties and all that.. heehe!
It is now three weeks into February and I am still recovering from both the beginning of this and last year.. lol
Anyhow ..as I think back to the moment 2011 was toasted in — I remembered what a great 2010, I had — with the exception, it sped by so fast — it’s a bit of a blurr.
Like most of my years — 2010 was filled to its brim with Work, Projects and Activities – social and personal. (..this from a year I barely travelled ..phew!)
Apart from my head, and its endless mulling over ‘to-do lists’ …days and its nights were jam-packed with a schedule, where on average — most things are confirmed two weeks to months in advance ..and spontaneity a rare but coveted diversion.
It seemed like I was always running from one thing to the next.. (operative word: “running”)
There is always something or so many things to do, indulge or amuse oneself with — the perks of living between the city of San Francisco and Wine Country in Northern California. Much as I appreciate all the wonderful things I have the privilege to enjoy — I couldn’t help but think it was missing its essence of “joie de vivre”.
Generally, I am good at being “present” in my moments ..but it is, in this one — I can understand and value the notion and need ..of being completely and wholly submerged.
When I was discussing this with a friend, they commented: “yes, you can’t see anything if you’re always speeding by”. I agreed.
So, for 2011 ..I’ve made a commitment to slow down — I am tired of running, I want to walk..
Since it would be unrealistic to expect myself to stop running altogether — I think, I’ll start with Run Less and Walk more..
A Stroll
Image: artistandart.org — ‘A Stroll’ ..by Czech Impressionist Artist: Antonin Slavicek (1870-1910)
Poem: Love and Pain, the beauty of…
It’s always a treat to unexpectedly find my old poems …can’t remember exactly what inspired this …probably had much to do with self-explained title (..or as in usual observation of something/ someone?)
Love and Pain, the beauty of…
Like hands
that gently
caress
a Heart
Love’s
stealth
like power
can entice
the possibilities
of discovering
sorrow
for Pain
..those same hands
can invoke
when it tightens
its grip
and squeezes
Love’s
innocent
and yet so
receptive Power
to
Experience
and
Discover
Sweet December
There is something about the energy of December that ushers in an almost candy-wanton, child-like excitement.
The ebullience, infectious. I entertain a visual of running fingers through clusters of candy …and in a swirl enthused dance, throw them in the air and watch it spray down like cascading confetti..
The delicious anticipation of the Holiday Season and all its rituals will unfold through the month like the slow unwrapping of a gift — only toward the end is ferociously ripped through …as everything culminate to firework explosions of New Year celebrations.
So, as we choose and decorate Christmas trees ..adorn everything with lights ..shop for gifts and prepare to celebrate with Family and Friends — I also look forward to sipping hot chocolate laced with Mexican spices and Rum — while tucked under a cozy blanket by a warm fire ..evenings.
Image: painting by Judy Unger ‘Candy Medley’
Poem: Spring Key
It should be illegal to be so busy. I have to unwillingly admit to not paying my Poetry or Blogs the attention they deserve …but by some coronation of creative-cosmic dusting …I managed to miraculously whip up ‘Spring Key’. So, before I begin posting anything about Summer ….I wanted to pay homage to one of my better Spring creations.
Timaima 