It is the place
where ideas are born
some as ghosts
some fully formed
It is the place
where voices echo, echo
real or imagined
they ebb and they flow
It is a place of seeing
yet layered in veils
lift them one by one
as mystery entails
It is a place of sensing
both self and Other
alive within, without
—feel the shiver, the shudder
It was striving to be
long before we had words
for we are knitted of story
given voice, to be heard
So nurture it well
let it breathe, let it grow
keep the magic alive, for
you’re meant to write it,
you know.
lit bits and pieces 
Your poem is magical. I enjoyed the rhythm and the rhyme. It is encouraging – thank you!
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I am so glad you find the poem encouraging – I hoped it would be! Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful poem. I love how you formatted the text to be centered directly below the beacon of light in the graphic.
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It’s an aesthetic thing for me – I like the way my poems look (and feel, really) when centered. I play with format a lot – believe me!! Very thankful you enjoyed. 🙂
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The capitalization here has me captivated, “both self and Other”. For self to be diminished while other is amplified – powerful.
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I didn’t even think of it like that (diminishing self) but now that you mention it – yeah, that IS powerful. There’s just so much more Other – a whole universe of it. Thank you so much.
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Your poems draw me in and let come along, with little ceremony. “where voices echo echo” is my favorite line also the image of being “knitted of story” appeals a great deal.
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“Knitted of story” is my favorite line!
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I can’t believe how many people say this is their favorite line — although it’s one of my favorites, too. We ARE knitted of story – it’s what links us all, Thanks so much for your response.
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Doubling up on echo was one of my last decisions before letting the poem go – echo is echoing echo. Delighted that it reverberates to you, where you are … I am very grateful for your responses to my poetry. Funny thing is that I have never really considered myself a poet. Yet this is how the ideas and words are coming to me – I’m doing my best just to catch it (or unveil it) & put it out there – a bit out of my comfort zone, but that’s how we grow. Joy to you!
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“for we are knitted of story
given voice, to be heard”
This line speaks volumes of truth that I wish everyone believed! (Well the whole poem does). Another beautiful poem that begs to be read again and again! Thanks for sharing!
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I am amazed at the people who’ve picked out that “knitted of story” line as one that resonates! Perhaps because it’s true -? And I thank you always, Dawn, for being the encouraging wordsmith you always are. 🙂
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Your words are inspirational. I was moved with these words: “So nurture it well let it breathe, let it grow keep the magic alive, for you’re meant to write it, you know.”
They could be a mantra for our March challenge.
Thank you for these wonderful words
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Although I started out thinking of the place the “magic” comes from, as I wrote began to hope fellow writers (and everyone) would identify and maybe keep pressing on when the writing feels “no good” or “not worth it” because OH YES IT IS – keep it alive! Thank you, Christine, for letting me know this. 🙂
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Beautiful! One of my favorite lines is “It is a place of seeing
yet layered in veils
lift them one by one.” Lifting veils is such a gentle image. It reminds us to be gentle with ourselves and not try to beat the stories out.
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When I was writing the poem, I thought, the meaning of whatever we are working on is already there; we just have to uncover it. This is a delicate process that takes time – more of an unfurling or unwrapping than chiseling, etc. I even had the fleeting thought of a bride – kind of reaching a long-awaited moment, the revealing, etc. You so captured the intent of the veil image; I rejoice over your words! Thank you, Rita 🙂
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I love it. I enjoyed the metaphors and imagery. It truly drove your poem.
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Thank you so very much – so happy you love the poem. 🙂
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This poem is magical! Thanks for a beautiful Sunday morning slice. Your imagery is wonderful.
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Thank YOU, Paula, for this uplifting response! Adds another layer of beauty to the day. 🙂
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Best phrase: “knitted of story”
Love that image
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So glad you think so. That line kind of write itself and I thought, whoa, that’s TRUE.
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“for we are knitted of story
given voice, to be heard
So nurture it well”
What a raw truth about the value of our ideas and our voice. You capture the beauty of what we each have to offer the world and ourselves. Individually and collectively. I will ponder these words. Thank you, Fran.
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I think the thing about writing is to write your truths – and sometimes we don’t know what those are until we begin. Thank you so much, Joy; these words mean a lot!
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Beautifully written poem, just captures how magical it is to write…what an encouragement!
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Thank you and I am very grateful for your words; they encourage me! It fills me with joy to know that mine encourage others!
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A place of seeing, veils lifted one by one- love the image here The picture is perfect I felt like it should be the picture on the first page of the book I hope you someday write..And, this poem could accompany it.
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Wow – I never would have thought of that, using the poem on the first page of a book – now I think, if I ever I do write one, I must do that. THANK YOU 🙂
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Once again, Fran, your words took my breath away. The last stanza, in particular–another that I’ve written to carry me through times when something is blocking the words from coming out.
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You’ve added yet another layer of joy to my day, Kelsey – thank you. 🙂
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Your poem comes at such a great time for me – I need the encouragement your poem conveys -“to press on, to keep the writing alive” (quoted from one of your replies). And you give us ideas where to find these ideas. Thank you.
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I think one of the greatest things about this Slice Challenge is the amazing support we all give one another. I am delighted to know you found encouragement in something I wrote. As for ideas … I tell the kids at school that writing is the closest thing to magic. You’ve more magic in you than you know. 🙂
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Your poem is wonderful and true, Fran. I especially love these lines:
So nurture it well
let it breathe, let it grow…
Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks so much, Catherine, for your words & for telling me the lines of the poem that mean the most to you. 🙂
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Beautifully written poem. Love the line, ideas born as ghosts. Ephemeral, appearing if we look for them. In one response you wrote that what we are working on is already there. That gave me pause because that’s truly how it seems to me.
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That was exactly what I meant – ideas are already there, waiting to be found & materialized – happy to know you love the ghost line. Thanks so much.
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