the gift of words

Picture has been removed due to a few people who were not kind enough to ask me for permission to use this photo or give me credit on there blog for my photo. : (

I have been incredibly blessed to meet the beautiful and talented, Nikki Giovanni. She has been a favorite poet of mine, since my mother would read her poetry to me as a child and I would dance and twirl to the words.

The activist in Ms. Giovanni, led the way for myself and so many others. I kind of love that.

Professor Giovanni was kind enough to spend some time with me. We had this set up for a while now but, I didn't know if it would become a reality. Thanks to b*girl for the encouragement. ; )

She was patient with me, as I gently and nervously photographed her. She was kind to me, as I allowed each one of her words saturate me. She brought tears to my eyes, laughter to my mouth.

I am grateful.

A Poem Of Friendship

We are not lovers
because of the love
we make
but the love
we have

We are not friends
because of the laughs
we spend
but the tears
we save


I don't want to be near you
for the thoughts we share
but the words we never have
to speak


I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are
together
Nikki Giovanni

lens love

click on photo to enlarge

With each step I took, on this January morning. I found more and more beauty.

You just know I had to stop and raise my lens toward the bricks, the sun, her tears, the welcoming arms of a child...

the love.

The sweetest of weekends to you, my friends.
; )

If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame
the wind for revealing them to the trees.
Khalil Gibran

I'm like a baby with my days and nights mixed up. ; )
I always think of the water, as I gently lay my hopeful head, on my pillow. Lakes; crashing waves of the sea.

As I tossed and turned, I felt the sky open and began to speak words to me. Repeating the words until I began to fall asleep. Sweet words that reminded me... rewrite your future; follow your chosen direction.

freedom

the sea

why does the d.j keep playing this song

glory

the sun

the mustache of a father

twirling dreams

it was all so close I reached my hands out to touch it all.

the sea came to my rescue and rocked me until i began to rest

I plan on walking along the ripples of the water today, to thank her for always being there.

I think I will thank the sky too.

; )

photo from calgary news
Happy Chinese New Year!!!!! I have all these beautiful memories flowing through my heart from when I was a little girl; the stories, the food. The happy the sad.

I guess I just wanted to stop in and place a few words here about, how much I appreciate all the different cultures that are woven inside of me. I appreciate all the cultures that are woven inside of you. ; )

As a child I embraced the accents and cultures of jamaica, chinese, and romania that flowed from room to room. There was a beautiful lesson that I was taught as a child... to love and embrace, all cultures. I think I love that! ; ) The lesson I learned as an adult is that, those different faces that I looked at growing up, were a combination of me, and for that I am grateful. ; )

We will celebrate with lots of food and stories.

I am hoping to spot a dragon or two today. ; )

It's the year of the OX. Ji Chou 己丑


1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.


Me, the young rat... kindergarten.


新年好

; )

I seriously have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm glad I finally taped a cracker box around my duaflex and went for it.

; )

This week has me swirling. I have the ever so uninvited insomnia, beating my door down. I have so many words and photographs dancing around my head. I feel guilty, bombarding you with them all. I haven't felt confident enough to place them here. Where are you bravery?? ; ) I stood back and listened to my photographs; opened my eyes to them. At times I glanced at them from your direction...

I placed this jar of flowers in front of this wall because, there is a chip in the paint, so I thought this might bring some beauty to this corner. Now it looks like I am trying to hide a damn chip in the wall, with a jar of sweet flowers. I seriously, love that!

When I have had the pleasure of a wink or two, I have been dreaming of...

einstein

giovanni

warm waterfalls

me in pig tails

kind strangers

apertures

walking down foggy paths with no fear, just faith

america

love

hope

tomorrow

and then i heard God laughing in the words of Hafiz

Oh my, Hafiz...


Awake awhile

It does not have to be
Forever,
Right now.

One step upon the Sky's soft skirt
Would be enough.

Hafiz,
Awake awhile.
Just one True moment of Love
Will last for days.

Rest all your elaborate plans and tactics
For Knowing Him,
For they are all just frozen spring buds
Far,
So far from Summer's Divine Gold.

Awake, my dear.
Be kind to your sleeping heart.
Take it out into the vast fields of Light
And let it breathe.

Say,
"Love,
Give me back my wings.
Lift me,
Lift me nearer."

Say to the sun and moon,
Say to our dear Friend,

"I will take You up now, Beloved,
On that wonderful Dance You promised."
Hafiz


; )

The Dream

Walking on the sands
I decided to leave you.

I was treading a dark clay
that trembled
and I, sinking and coming out,
decided that you should come out
of me, that you were weighing me down
like a cutting stone,
and I worked out your loss
step by step:
to cut off your roots,
to release you alone into the wind.

Ah in that minute,
my dear, a dream
with its terrible wings
was covering you.

You felt yourself swallowed by the clay,
and you called to me and I did not come,
you were going, motionless,
without defending yourself
until you were smothered in the quicksand.
Pablo Neruda


As I walked along the art museum, I couldn't help but think of all of you. I thought of the paint on your hands, the pens flowing across your paper, the shutter speeds of your cameras. I also couldn't help but think about how many of us, buried our dreams, our passions. We allowed what we love, to die. Hiding our canvas deep in the cellar, buying the crayons but afraid to use them, because we might break one.

I love the courage I am reading on your blogs. I smile and clap my hands at those of you who are questioning fear and standing up to the, what if. I think it is positively beautiful, that we are capable of breathing life back into what brings us joy.

You all are blowing me away, with your love of expression; not allowing your passions to be tucked away for another time, day, or year.

You inspire me, in the most loving way. ; )

A day of tears, joy, laughter, love. A day for coming together. A day for looking at the beautiful faces, of my elders. A day for listening to all the stories of the past, and filling my heart with stories of hope, for the future. What a glorious day. ; )

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Dr. Martin Luther King jr.

I am thinking of Summer, on this -34, frigid day.

I always do this, when it gets this cold.

I am hiding in my children's faces; my books and thoughts.

Loving the wisdom, in the words of Piri Thomas. These Mean Streets

Quietly I move forward in this season, but still I remember.

My memories dart back and forth to summer, as though the thoughts can warm me up. ; )

This picture takes me back to the heated days, the vibrant colors.

the trains speeding across the opposite tracks

waiting

the plank

we all wait

gum poppen

brief cases held

purses tightly clutched

watches watched

maid uniforms, stained and flapping in the wind

every train arrives, except the one headed home

ice cream drippen

lips move smoothly, talking shit, behind a vail of thick, legal smoke

who ya know

what ya know

my eyes dart to a young man wearing converse, bright colors, a point and shoot in hand

converse stands in a statue like state waiting on the beep, he has an approving smile, as he chirps each shot of his lover

spray can fumes float in the air, as they are forced to finish the P, in the R I P

tricked out cars below the tracks, bounce us out of thought

we wait

; )

Happy Friday, my friends.

all the dress rehearsals were over

the date that was saved, had arrived

they stood before God, taking the vows

the broom was jumped

the music began but, not a note was heard

he guided her closer to him

he placed his hand on the small of her back

his strong jaw line, gently against her face

no longer a little boy

she allowed him to lead her

he is her groom

she is his bride

for this moment

the scent and smiles of those who passed on, danced in their memories

tears held back, lumps in throats sit quietly

for this dance

realities are miles away

the past is the past

the guests watched, with clasped hands

this is real

this is the beginning

this is love


Some of you may remember when I photographed, this wedding. I still think it was one of the most beautiful experiences, of my life. My cousin, I was so proud of him that day, proud of them both.

There is never a time, I can glance at this photograph and not think of love, togetherness, family... new beginnings.

Love is in the air...

Have flowers, will travel. ; )

I have fallen hard, for the vision board I created. I've added a few things to remind me, that beauty lives here. ; )

nourishment

there is a love, only Rumi can give me ; )

h20

a SOUL can birth; dreams, hopes, ideas, forgiveness, love, a future

it's going to be okay

silence

awareness

consciousness

i'm in love with a man who never forgets to hold his hand out for me, when I fall behind on the ride of life ; )

relax

sometimes cupcakes are necessary

sisterhood

photography

words

my community

faith

bravery

Can you see the letter C. on the bottom of the board? It arrived a few months ago from Paris, France. It's the perfect antique; rusted, chipped, and positively beautiful. I find myself running my fingers along the shape of it, as I walk out the door each day. You wouldn't believe the strength it gives me. You can do it "C." Thank you, dear friend, You are loved. ; )

The board is a reminder of life and moving forward. ; )

If you would like to leave a word, poem or phrase that you will turn to in 2009 for inspiration, I would love to include it on my board. You are all such an inspiration to me, I appreciate each one of you. I will retake a picture next week (of the vision) with any words you share.

Happy weekend!

We walk side by side.

He is 13, I am not.

The cold weather breaks our silence.

I can't help but reach over and zip his coat higher.

A mother and her child.

A man and his protective mother.

They pass us.

They nod.

My face is stone.

He nods.

Where do you know them from?

I don't, it's survival.

I pull him closer.

It's love.

I have been so inspired by all the beautiful words that are floating around for the new year. I never tire of the inspiration that swirls through the beautiful, blogs I read.

I was patiently waiting for my word to find me; to embrace me, to recognize me. Then along it came.

I lit a candle last night and relaxed, giving my soul a break.

My soul sang, as I thought about the beautiful bonding, I have done with you women out there. It has been such a long time, since my soul has devoured the sisterhood, of women. ; ) Thank you.

I took a deep breath before bed, clearing my soul of the days events.

I woke up to the love of my family, which absolutely filled my soul.

In my kitchen I am baking homemade macaroni and cheese, with a touch of Havarti, that is sure to feed the soul.

I guess I didn't have to go far to find my word, or for my little word to find me.

SOUL

Happy Saturday! ; )

Yesterday I stood before her in awe snapping away, as her rusted beauty took my mind, on a beautiful ride. There is no greater joy I get, than taking photographs of old trains. I love them. I adore them.

I took baby steps toward this train, my heart beating faster as I got closer. Careful not to disturb, if this was someone's home.

There is something about holding a camera and fear in the same hand. I can't pin point what meaning it holds for me but, I can say that the end result of seeing the pictures, did my heart good.

Yesterday as I approached this train, I got past a few things in my life. I got out of my own way. I remembered how open I was to possibilities and how my heart was filled with hope.

These are the tracks that lay behind my house as a child. Each night, trains ran across them. Many a night, my imagination hopped on board with them. These trains took me from the hood to mansions, from being tolerated to being wanted, from Milwaukee to France; Christina to Ingrid Bergman, from average to great. ; )

I went back to this neighborhood, ready to go forward, in a new year.

The train was a glorious, bonus. ; )