Monday, June 7, 2010

It's time...




Good Morning...
It's early but there's not a lot of sleeping going on in these parts. I'm finishing up a large commissioned painting and doing a little happy dance over the small box of sample tile i found at heath ceramics (which is just enough to do my fireplace surround) and preparing to teach an encaustic workshop tomorrow. I've gotten lots of packing done while my big guy and my little guy have been away but they return tomorrow evening and I can't wait. I'm living in that moment where they walk through the door and we are together as a family. When things are as they should be once again. I've been putting this off but I believe the time has come to say goodbye for a while and wrap up all that a cross country move entails. To say that I'll miss it here would be an understatement. I may not be writing for the next few weeks but I will be keeping an eye on what you're up to and will be chronicling my journey in pictures and words to share once we're settled back in the mid-west. I wish you all a joyous summer filled with family, friends and of course good food.
Thanks for reading and I'll See you back here August 1st.

I'll leave you with this favorite poem:
"The Flight of the Reader" by Billy Collins

You'd think we would have had enough
of one another
after all the rain streaming down these windows,
the walks out to the garden when it clears,
the same yellow and white flowers,
all the sleepless nights—
the toy car going in circles on the bed table.

But still, you stay perched on my shoulder,
cricket or bluebird,
wild parrot digging your claws into my loud shirt.


Is it because I do not pester you
with the invisible gnats of meaning,
never release the whippets of anxiety from their crates,
or hold up my monstrous mirror,
a thing the size of a playing field?


Whatever makes you stay,
I hate to think of that morning
when I will wake up to find you gone,
heading toward the open sea,
dragging the cables that bound us together,
leaving me with nothing more to say.

But don't get me wrong.
It's not that I cannot live without you,
cannot sit under an ordinary green tree
with no desire to reach for the pen in my pocket,
or lie contented on a couch all day,
one hand over my mouth.

It's not like I have a crush on you
and instead of writing my five-paragraph essay
I am sailing paper airplanes across the room at you—
it's not that I can't wait for the lunch bell
to see your face again.

It's not like that. Not exactly.

9 comments:

nacherluver said...

Good luck on your move! Enjoy your summer adventures :)

belinda marshall said...

good luck with your big move home. happy summer to you.

fun poem too :)

artslice said...

I'll miss you! Have a seamless move (as much as possible) back to your old, new home. You sound very busy with pressing art commitments for someone who is about to take a big leap.

Have a great summer!
~Brenda

chrissy said...

oh beth...
i am kind of sad in a way.
i always LOVE to come visit here and sit for a bit.
you bring calm and peace.
you are full of GRACE.
i am so happy for you to have your family all back together in the nest.
take a deep breath and let it out a bit slower than usual.
travel safe.
enjoy all that summer brings.
welcome home!
i.ll miss you and look forward to hearing all about your adventures in august.
{glad i have my brown paper packages girl to remind me of what you "give"}
loves
chrissy

-wonderful poem too-

Leililaloo said...

Dear Beth, i'll miss your writing and new paintings a lot, pls be back here soon :))

For the comming weeks I whish you good luck and a clear head, and also may the gods be with you and your family during your BIG MOVE.

Anonymous said...

Exciting days..enjoy them...XOXOrly

pixie said...

beth, this poem is so lovely. i will miss you so dearly!! know that you are supported by so many, we are carrying you, babe.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Good luck with the move, have fun.

chrissy said...

just poppin in to say HI and i hope all is well.
missing you, but take your time and nest!
xo
c