Writing Camp Fieldtrip: When I am Present and Connected....

At our WritingCamp fire today, we focused on presence and connection. I needed to go to Hart Park and see if I had left my Poet Sign Post there and I decided, since I was there, I should connect it back to writing camp. I took along my camp chair and wrote for several moments.

I love that Emma took some photos. They add a pleasant touch AND I love when Emma said, "Mom, are you trying to look all pensive?" and I answered, "No, I am being pensive."

I love my children!

Preface note: the gunshots I mention are in reference to a Sheriff's office firing range which is adjacent to the park where I feed ducks... no cause for excess alarm, dear reader.

When I am present and connected the gunshots are silent. I hear birds, some with fuller bellies because I was here. Braving the fog I connect to the green amidst it, the decomposing leaves continuing to be of service by fulfilling their current purpose of feeding the soil, becoming one with the soil, not resisting their death and rebirth but actually contributing to it without a litany of questions and why's and the too often tortuous quest for meaning.

The gunshot jolts me, makes me leap a little in my blue camping chair. I am present to all sounds, including it. I shake it off, my head shakes "no" and my pencil waits, putting the blessing back into its tip.

I hear a bossy mallard female announcing something, or perhaps starting a sentence using the quack of a Southern Belle who has been shocked by something and prefaces her speech with "I declare!" A mallard couple in front of her flies off. Perhaps she quacked, "I declare, you two get a nest!" Maybe that was it.

I settle more deeply into my chair and look at the ducks swimming close to the shore where I sit. They don't mind my lack of food for them. We wrap each other in companionable silence and mutual respect. We understand there may be gun shots and there may be bossy other-ducks and we will live through it, especially with the help of our journeying companions.

Writing Prompt:

When I take my current writing project and wrap it in companionable silence, I (hear, see, know, feel, understand....)

~~~

And no, I didn't find my poet sign post. I am sure whoever scooped it up is enjoying it...

And another PS - If you would like to be a part of our brand new, once-a-week writing camp program, registration is open and until Saturday, there is a special early bird price for registration.