Swaddling the Sorrow
A new (mostly unedited) poem & an invitation to "Write Yourself Free" with me tomorrow, August 28th
The world is a mad disaster, and yet the hummingbird still comes to my feeder to sip sweetness. People can be cowardly and cruel, and yet the checker at the grocery store hands you a bouquet of flowers when you tell him you’re having a hard day. My mind is a wild mess of a thing, and yet there is wisdom buried deep in my belly that is wildly, roaringly powerful. Some people are power-hungry and lost, and yet, here before me are women who came to spill ink and truth onto the page—just because. Just because. — My Daily writing (Day #185)
Hello friends,
I wonder what your version of “and yet…” might be.
Phew, this world is so much, a mad disaster is one way to put it.
I hope you are taking the very best care of yourself, swaddling all of the parts of yourself that maybe don’t feel so okay right now.
When I am feeling sad & afraid & anxious (which seems to be a lot these days), there are few things that help me more than to gather with like-hearted people and spill truth onto the page.
No trying to be good. No contests—only doorways (in Mary Oliver’s words).
Wanna come spill ink & truth onto the page with me— just because?
I have a new poem for you & an invitation to come Write Yourself Free with me tomorrow, Thursday, August 28th from 9:00—11:00 AM (PST). (For all paying subscribers of my Substack page, no extra charge.)
If you kind of want to come, but you feel scared, me too. xo I find that most often freedom is on the other side of discomfort…
See below for more information.
And now, the poem….
PS: I just received a text from a beloved friend (See below). It made me laugh out loud. I couldn’t not share this bit of humor.
Please ignore the post I sent to you. It was a butt text/share. I love you more than vodka and autumn.
Jotting from my Journal. Day #190 of (mostly unedited) daily writing/sharing
Swaddling the Sorrow
Today, I will swaddle the sorrow, sway it to the rhythm of the sweetest lullaby, whisper soothing words of I see you, listen while it shares its fears, spills its tears, allow it to stay for as long as it needs to. I will offer a pillow, a blanket, a soft shelter to rest its heavy head. I won't downplay, or rush it away, won't insist that it name or explain itself, won't try to shape its sharpness into something soft or shiny or more suitable, will hold up a spoon and let it slowly sip, will rub its shy shoulders until shadows can't help but shift— not because the shadows aren't welcome, but because when something feels safe enough to be what it is, it can't help but lift, drift, can't help but slip into something more comfortable.
To listen to my conversation with the amazing woman & poet, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, click HERE.
U P C O M I N G
E V E N T !
Live writing sessions & conversations with guest poets will be a regular feature for paid subscribers of Julia’s Substack page.
Want to Write Yourself Free with me?
This Thursday, August 28th from 9:00-11:00 AM (PST), I will be holding a live (online) Write Yourself Free class (available to all paying subscribers of my Substack page, no extra charge).
If you have taken a WYF class with me in the past (HI!), I’m so eager & excited to write with you again!
If you are brand new to WYF, I can’t wait to introduce you to this incredibly freeing & powerful practice. Don’t worry, you don’t have to share your writing unless you would like to.
And you do not need to consider yourself a writer to find great richness in this class!
Please click HERE to learn more about this powerful practice.
Just so beautiful, you speak to my heart, always ❤️
So beautiful, Julia. I see you, friend.