SPRING CLEANING
We used the idea of spring cleaning, based on a poem of the same name by Miriam Dyak, to start our writing this week. In addition, we wrote to the ‘soul cards’ created by Deborah Koff-Chapin — a series of beautiful cards whose interpretation varies with the emotional and spiritual space of the writer in the moment. Combined with the opening poem’s ‘spring cleaning’ theme, the two writings produced some profound insights which the women at NWSCF were very open about sharing with one another. The resultant ‘found poem’ was, as always, created from their own lines read from their writing and then ‘read back’ from the listeners in the circle.
Beginning a new part of my life, I
find things that are hard to let go of –
throw out objects all day long
identify the keeper item immediately.
Spring cleaning is kind of what I’m doing here in prison,
trying to take care of me,
clean out the guilty feelings
all the ugly things swept away –
pain, gossip, fear –
lock that bad person away,
the person I don’t want to be.
Start anew
clean slate, blank canvas,
the courage to move on
a new path in my life.
Time to start anew and see what I can do.
We can be new people –
the artist within will paint
earth’s awakening soul
deep in dirt and desire;
hunger for favorite food,
work through the layers.
I am not here alone,
empty inside. I am
two different people but the same person
at the same time,
anxious and very nervous.
I don’t want to screw up.
You receive answers
one puzzle piece at a time,
tidbits of insight and guidance.
Can you finally trust
there is only love
encircling, protecting, restricting?
Breathe that knowing into your soul
searching the darkness for a face
stretched thin – by what?
Come to me, my arms are open for you;
come, my child –
my love and peace be with you
prayerful, self centered and grounded.
Release your soul;
stay the path of self-reflection,
a coming home.
Above all be still,
be spacious.
