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| Owl Flying against a Moonlit Sky, Caspar David Friedrich |
"Flying" is my One Little Word for 2014.
I didn't choose it, though. It chose me. From the moment it escaped from my fingers and flew onto the computer screen last week, Flying made itself at home, nesting prominently in my thoughts.
This week I've been exploring what, to me, the act of flying means. On a practical level, it means loading up my schedule with goals and challenges like Shannon Abercrombie's Start the Year Off Write and Julie Hedlund's 12x12 to keep me motivated and writing. I'm also pleased to have been accepted into the Poets' Garage this month, and am quite excited about the heights that could take me to as well.
All of these challenges require hard work, however, and I'm fairly certain that I've loaded up on more than I can handle in a calm, rational way. But who said flying was easy? My theory is that birds just make it look that way.
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| Sandhill cranes flying into the sunset at Bosque del Apache, New Mexico |
Today's little ditty is a suite of five definitions of "flight" from a poetic standpoint, or, as I like to call it, my bird's eye view.
Finding
Lightness
In
Goals,
However
Tedious.
Forgive
Let go
Inspire
Glow—
Heavens’
Tidal flow
Fearlessly
Launch
Into
Greatness.
Harness
Transcendence.
Forgo
Life’s
Insanity:
Grow
Heal
Thrive
Freedom
Lies
In
Going
Here
To there
© 2014 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All
rights reserved.
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Heaven knows I'm by no means perfect, but I am perfectly me. If it takes me some time to earn my wings, all I have to do is trust the socks on my capable feet.
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| With thanks to Santa and the notes to self elves |
Now may I suggest you take your feet walking over to Mainely Write? Unless, of course, you're able to fly there. Thank you, Donna, for hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup!
You will soar this year, my friend! Thanks for sharing. Re. the "loaded up on more than I can handle in a calm, rational way" is pretty much my modus operandi, personally. [Though I'm having to drop the occasional bag o' stuff if I want to flap anywhere!] ;0)
ReplyDeleteI've got a few of those bags o' stuff myself. Gives new meaning to the word "flapper," doesn't it? Flap away, Darlin', flap away!
DeleteLove your acrostics defining your flight for 2014. My favorite is the last one...freedom. Flight for me means
ReplyDeleteForming
loving
insights
gaining
healthy
ties
Beautiful, Margaret! Loving insights and healthy ties is definitely where it's at.
DeleteI like that final one too, Michelle. What a great word. My word is wander, so perhaps it will take me into flight once in a while! Here's a little response:
ReplyDeleteFollow
Lift-
Igniting
Gaudy
Happy
Times
Happy travels!
Oooh, I like wander too! No restrictions, no rules-- I hope it leads you to many wonderful discoveries this year. Thank you for your flight poem as well. You used two words I was considering over and over (follow and lift), but never found a home for. Love the choice of using ignite!
DeleteFun socks, Michelle! I'm not sure whether the first or last acrostic is my favorite. Here's my silly interpretation (although somewhat accurate, as I am going to make myself some tea immediately after I finish this :-) :
ReplyDeleteFeather-
Like,
I
Glide
Here.
Tea-time!
Aren't those socks great? I feel a bit like Mary Poppins when I wear them-- "practically perfect in every way." It's interesting that you picked out the first and last acrostics as your favorites. Those were the two that came easily; the others I had to work a bit harder for. Yours is lovely... I'll glide on over and bring the scones. ;)
DeleteLove your OLW and definitions, especially the second one. The ability to forgive lightens the load. It will be a pleasure to see how you spread your wings this year. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama. I agree, forgiveness is key... and sometimes the person you need to forgive most is yourself.
DeleteI loved each of those stanzas - they took me into such different places. Take flight, Michelle! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement, Tara!
DeleteOh, Mich, you are definitely going to fly high in 2014. I can feel it in my bones -- and especially in my heart. You can't miss as long as you are perfectly you.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom
No fair making me all emotional in my own blog! Love you, Mom. xo
DeleteLoved the post today. Flight is such an empowering concept -- and a scary one. As Douglas Adams said in Hitchhiker's Guide: "there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
ReplyDeleteA wise philosopher, that Douglas Adams. It's been a very long time since I read that book--maybe it's time to pick it up again. Thanks, Carrie. :)
DeleteYou are soaring, Michelle! Love the "perfectly me" socks, too. Now you are flying in style!
ReplyDeleteI love your third FLIGHT acrostic, especially,
" Harness
Transcendence"
I'm going to try that. Happy New Year! =)
The third one is my husband's favorite too, Bridget. I don't know if transcendence can be harnessed, but I'd certainly like to try as well! We can compare notes. :)
DeleteFearlessly launch. YES.
ReplyDeletePlease note that many birds squawk rather loudly while in the process of flying, so feel free to make some noise on your journey. :-)
P.S. Loved your Tuesday quote.
Thank you, Keri. :) My children can tell you all about my squawking habits, I'm sure.
DeleteFlying is scary. I used to have dreams about flying and hands trying to drag me down. They never got me though! Keep those wings flapping, and don't let anyone try to drag you down! Make 'em cover their heads as you soar!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's some image you just put in my head, Donna. Thanks for the words to the wise... I will certainly do my best!
DeleteLove these definitions, Michelle, especially the final one--lovely idea that freedom results from the journey. Wishing you a strong wind to help you soar in 2014.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Buffy-- a strong island breeze would be welcome... especially if it comes with a Pina Colada.
DeleteWhat a great word choice, Michelle! With all those inspirational acrostics to guide you, I'm sure you're prepared to have a heady year.
ReplyDeleteViolet N.
Just trying to teach myself to go with the flow! Thanks, Violet.
DeleteNow I'm inspired to write a series of acrostics for MY OLW! I love all the different ways you found to look at flight.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm was hoping someone else might try the same exercise with their OLW. It really was fun to delve into... useful too, I think, but maybe too early to tell.
DeleteFlying is a great word, Michelle! I like the first and last poems best. Finding lightness is such a hopeful way to approach those mundane tasks. Can't wait to see where this word takes you in 2014.
ReplyDeleteMaybe easier said than done, but always good to strive for that lightness. Hoping I can fake it till I make it! Thank you, Catherine. :)
DeleteI, too, like the last one, it is full of hope! I look forward to learning more about your flights of fancy and otherwise!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane!
DeleteHi Michelle, this acrostic poem is gorgeous! Flight! I've been contemplating my OLW too, and flight was one of those words that ring true to me, as did SOAR. Will sleep on this and perhaps the perfect word shall come to me at least before the year ends! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, sounds like a plan to me! My bet is that the perfect word will introduce itself when you least expect it. :)
DeleteHi Michelle! I love your goal to take flight, and I believe you will! Thanks for sharing your acrostics. I couldn't choose a favorite, as they all had such an inspirational tone. You got me inspired, too. I reflected on my goals for the upcoming year, but also the events in my life of the last two years, and wrote several "FLIGHT" acrostics to summarize:
ReplyDelete2012 was a really rough year for my family, so I wrote about what got me through it:
Faith:
Life--
It's in
God's
Hands.
Trust Him!
2013 was a soul-searching year for me. I wrote two for 2013:
Find
Little
Inspirations to
Grow
Happy
Thoughts
First to
Last...
Immovable, but
Going forward.
Hold on
Tight!
And for 2014:
Finally
Learning
I'm
Good enough...
Happy to
Trust myself.
My 2014 goals for taking flight:
Focus
Listen
Invent
Grow
Hope
Take chances.
Thanks so much, Michelle! This was a great, reflective exercise!
Liana, THANK YOU for your own reflections on taking flight. I'm honored to have you share them with me! Your acrostics are beautiful in their honesty and insight and I love how you've created a journey over time. Though it's difficult to pick favorites, your first for 2013 really struck a chord with me, as did your goals for 2014. So now you've inspired me too! I'm quite sure you will be soaring this year as well. :)
Delete