 Poetry: July 03, 2024 Issue [#12626] |
This week: Perceptions Edited by: Fyn  
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There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception. ~~Aldous Huxley
Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come. ~~Michelangelo
Light is something that can really change your perception of space. ~~Alexandre de Betak
It doubles your perception, to write from the point of view of someone you're not. ~~Michael Ondaatje
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I spent much of my life feeling 'less.' It was what I was used to. When I came to WDC almost twenty years ago, I came to it from a place of 'way, way less.' I'd escaped (quite literally) from a situation that almost killed me. I took the dog, what I could fit in the car and fled. No real desination in mind as long as it was 'far away' because, for some reason, I equated 'far away' with safe. I left Maine and basically ran out of funds in Michigan where I went to visit grandkids. That felt safe. Eventually, I got a job, my own place and a phone. And, he found me.
But, by then, I was a bit stronger and I'd found WDC. For years and years I'd been told I was a lousy, no good writer who'd never amount to anything. And, as is often the case, when one is told something often enough, you begin to believe it. Then I tipped my toe into WDC and people liked my writing! After time, I changed my perception of my writing and realized I had a voice and I had stuff to say! More, I said it well!
Black to yellow to blue. Blue had always meant sad to me, until I turned blue. One of the happiest days in my life! I had value. I was worth something. I had merit. Oh my goodness. And the axis of my world tilted. Confindence in myself was never a strong point, and, honestly, it still wasn't. But the seed had been planted and nourished here in WDC-land.
One day I talked on the phone with a new (to me) person here on WDC. After a few moments she said something to the effect that she was surprised and happy to realise I was easy to talk to. She said she'd been so intimidated by me. Me?? Seriously? It was eye-opening. In my mind, I was probably the least intimidating soul on the planet! Perceptions.
Perceptions color our world and our lives whether we color within or outside of the lines. A line from a poem of mine sums this up. "I haven't walked in your shoes. I tried them on, but I tripped. They didn't fit me: they were yours." The last twenty years, I've tried very hard to be careful of how I view others and the journey they walk. We all have our stories. They are ALL importantant.
I recently finished a memoir and as I wrote it, I realized that perceptions were huge. Especially in how each of us views ourselves. I also realized that far too many people sell themselves short. This bothers me and I discovered that I really wanted people to start to look at themselves from a new perspective.
I'll never forget Robin Williams, in Dead Poet's Society climbing on top of the desk and then having his students do the same to get them to look at things from a new perspective. That was such an important lesson. People tell me all the time that "You've had so many adventures, met so many people, been so many places, and I've never done anything." Catagorically untrue! It is all in how one looks at things. We have bad times, we get through and beyond them. That's HUGE. We reaise our kids giving them the best we have to give. Also huge. Gave out a random hug. Again, huge. It is simply all a matter of perspective!
As writers, we portray images and scenarios all the time. As poets, we focus on fresh ways to describe, to show our readers a glimpse of our perspectives to, perchance, broaden or cant theirs. It is what we do. For years, I've gone on about being observant of the world around us from an unusual cloud to the way the bark wraps around a tree, from people interacting with each other . . . or not and trying to figure out the whys and hows behind the actions, and seeing how the minutia of our lives colors and sustains us. Why? Because it is all about what colors, stains, lightens, or opens up how we see our worlds --and ourselves.
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The things you see when you look a little closer.
#2319253 by F. G. King  |
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Mara ♣ McBain  writes: It sounds as if you had a wonderful day.  You painted a glorious picture with your words as always. Your passion for books shines!
I know what you mean about reading things in your port. When I get a review these days it almost always involves a trip down memory lane as I go back to read the piece someone chose to share their thoughts on.
Monty  says: If I can judge this News Letter it get 5 stsrs. The last time I had a booth at a local fair I had 5 books on the table and they are not all known here but the path this news Letter took this old man on was a great one. Don't think I ever read a NL over twice before. None ever made me shed a tear before.
Awwwwwwwwww Thank you! Means so much!
S  comments: The first time I was asked to sign a book I had no idea what to do, so I wrote a paragraph and then signed it. She looked a little perturbed as she went away. Nowadays, I do a thanks and a quick scrawl, unless it's for someone, and I'll write their name as well.
We have regular markets in the area - each town has one a month, and there's about 6 towns involved - and a fellow writer has had a stall at each of them for years. He recently started stocking some of mine as well, and I am amazed at how well they sell.
While my books are not poetry collections, and my friend's books are also novels, there is a poet who joins him at 4 of the 7 markets, and she always sells at least half a dozen each time. So I don't think it matters what is written, that real experience of buying a book from the author is something special.
It is, indeed!
Magnolia says: You saw it all and described it so well, I could feel the afternoon heat and see the colors of their clothes. Probably one of my own memories…since you could have been inside. My favorite was the lady who sniffed the ink. I always do that. It is so addicting. Just like the books themselves.
I enjoyed your presentation. Nice piece of writing.
This made my day! Thank You!! :)
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