Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Silver Needle



This week's prompt is creative from Mindful Mimi.


"Creation, we are taught is not an act that happened once upon a time, once and for ever. The act of bringing the world into existence is a continuous process.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel



Silver Needle*

Crossing
the middle bridge
stockings
get caught
in rough planks
by the time
I arrive,
the water
has been resting
coddled buds
float
tiny hairs
uncoil

sit, drink
these
are the
best hours

*Silver Needle - White tea is the least processed form of tea, made from handpicked silver buds and young leaves which are steamed and dried in open air. Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen) is the rarest of all varieties, picked in springtime in the Fujian Mountains of China. When the buds are steeped, they yield a light and subtle sweetness.. Successive infusions release subtle qualities of the tea‘s delicate fragrance.



“I make writing as much a part of my life as I do eating or listening to music.”
Maya Angelou


Many writers have a ritual, which serves as an induction, a falling into the deep. For example, Maya Angelou wakes at five in the morning and checks into a hotel room. All pictures are removed from the walls so that there is no visual distraction. She writes on legal pads while resting on the bed with only a bottle of sherry, a deck of cards, Roget’s Thesaurus and a Bible. She leaves by early afternoon, usually with ten to twelve pages of manuscript. Ms. Angelou reflects that she uses this process to “enchant” herself.
This poem is both about crossing the waters and steeping in that place of enchantment
.


15 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

Really like your choice of words, Gabrielle. The coddled buds sounds wonderful and the image of the whole is bucolic.

Sandra.if said...

I can imagine that so well..!

zoya gautam said...

.. expressed creatively ..

many thanks ..

Tumblewords: said...

Superfine imagery - each lines builds on the previous. Wonderful!

TomCat said...

Ah, the simple things are what make life worthwhile. :-)

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love the way this poem flows. Sounds good out loud.

Cloudia said...

Yes, let us enchant ourselves and share the enchantment.




Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

The Write Girl said...

This is a beautiful prompt and concept for O.S.I. Thank you for your lovely words.

SandyCarlson said...

You brought me there. Thanks.

the walking man said...

I will ponder your tea leaves while I drink my coffee. {;-]}

have a good day Gabriele

Patti said...

I loved this and I love rituals too. And I love tea and often will make some as I peruse my fav blog sites and soak up inspiration! Perfect!

Rinkly Rimes said...

I usually make-up my verses walking to the supermarket! The muse moves in a mysterious way!

OSI said...

Just a reminder that your prompt, migration, comes up at OSI this Sunday. Please send me a poem and/or image by tomorrow morning, if you like!

Maithri said...

Your words find their way to the interiority of me... like nourishment... like soft water,

Love to you always shining heart,

Maithri

Jim said...

"These are the best hours," good for thinking things out: "Why did I snag my hose and how does it fit into the big picture? I'm sure it does."
..
I've been busy for the past hours working on a ditty for your prompt, 'migration.' I am having fun. It won't be nearly the best but I'll finish it to 85% and quit.
..