After you read/listen to this week’s poem, Let the Leaf Fall, 1 of 100 poems in my upcoming book This Too: Words To Walk You Home, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory/story that the poem sparks.
You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory that the poem sparks.
Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).
Thank you for being one of my people. I appreciate you so much. If you are new to this page, welcome!
Take the best care of yourself.
Julia xo
“Let the Leaf Fall ” by Julia Fehrenbacher
Music Credit: “City of Stars” : Justin Hurwitz & Emma Stone, from the movie “La La Land”
After you read the below writing practice guidelines, grab your notebook and your favorite free-flowing, yummy pen, set a timer for 10 minutes (or whatever time feels best) and, beginning with the word/line that most resonates from this week’s poem & write write write!
NOTE: The intention is not to stick with whatever prompt you begin writing with, prompts are simply meant to spark your writing…once you begin, follow your pen wherever it wants/needs to go. Get those first words down (before the editor has a chance to sweep in and edit them out).
Today’s poem is one of 100 poems in my newest book: This Too: Words To Walk You Home, which is now available for pre-order. Click HERE to pre-order a signed copy(s). xo
“Let the Leaf Fall” by Julia Fehrenbacher
When this living breaks your heart, steals your plans, when you miss the holy of here, thinking something brighter is over there, when there is no denying how precious, how precarious this aliveness is, let yourself break again and again, let the cool, almost-autumn breeze blow all the way in. Let the fading light, the falling leaf, show you how short it is, this life. How feather-fine the line. And then blow infinite kisses of kindness to every dying-living thing, yourself included. Always yourself included. Whoever you think you are does not even come close. You are big enough to meet every break, every ache, every dark cloud, every twinkling star too. Let the leaf fall. watch now— watch how life catches you.
Writing Practice Guidelines
(As created, with some of my own tweaks, by one of my greatest teachers Natalie Goldberg)
First, give yourself permission to write the worst junk in the world (this is the most important one!). Writing practice is very much not about trying to be "good," it is about opening the door and allowing space for your insides to speak (without any pressure, agenda, or expectations). It is simply saying what is true, what is true, what is true.
Keep your hand moving. No stopping to edit (no crossing out, no re-reading, no attention to spelling/grammar). The reason for this fast writing is to outrun the editor who really wants to be in control. Give yourself full permission to lose control!
Go for the jugular. If there is energy there, dive straight into it.
If you get stuck (or find you are circling some important truth), write the words: WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS… or THE TRUTH IS…this can’t help but drop you more deeply into your writing.
Mostly importantly —Enjoy! Play. Have fun. Make a merry mess.
* Please feel free to share some of the "recalls" from your own writing. Recalls are simply phrases/lines that feel especially poignant/resonant/goosebumpy/true to you.
"watch how life catches you". Words for the next moon cycle. Thank you Julia.