Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Spirit That Moves You (Poem)

Photo Credit: © Rosie Hardy
Used With Permission

The Spirit That Moves You

Scraping won't do
much to reveal

the smooth edge behind
the snowy picture

you've created.
We've all got something

to hide, all need to look
for ways to layer

the surface thick
and hard to get

through. The secret
to staying cool

isn't to shine
some big spotlight

on yourself —
that will only blind

you — but to motion
us close and look

straight in our eyes
and be ready

to give yourself up
to the spirit

that moves you
deep and deeper still.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
____________________________________

This poem is offered for the final One Shoot Sunday event at One Stop Poetry, which today features  Chris Galford's interview with photographer Rosie Hardy and features a number of Hardy's images, including the one above.

I also offer my appreciation to Pete, Adam, Brian, Chris, Claudia, Gay, and Leslie, who for more than a year have given many devoted hours to creating a place for poets, photographers, and anyone who enjoys the arts to gather and share their talents.

Anyone may participate in today's poetry challenge.  Go here to read the interview and then scroll to the end of the page for instructions for linking your contribution to those of the rest of the One Stop community.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this - good words to go with the image.

Reflections said...

Love the message you have left...

isn't to shine
some big spotlight

on yourself —
that will only blind

you — but to motion
us close and look

straight in our eyes
and be ready

to give yourself up
to the spirit

that moves you
deep and deeper still.

Isn't it always the impression deep within the heart, not the bright lit surface that one remembers most. Brilliant writing!

Claudia said...

you've taken this pic to a deep, even to a spiritual level maureen...the smooth edge behind the snowy picture..the secret to staying cool...excellent take on the prompt

dustus said...

I think your poem an insightful statement about life and art. Thank you, Maureen.

Anonymous said...

isn't to shine
some big spotlight

on yourself —
that will only blind

you — but to motion
us close and look

Fantastic imagery here and an apt spiritual message. Thank you.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. you bring deep wisdom yourself in this maureen...much to ponder on...thank you...

Anonymous said...

deeper still
we are taken
to be given
and to recieve

Kathleen Overby said...

Deep and deeper. Lovely pairing.

Ruth said...

Wonderful. Like Cézanne's apples.

hedgewitch said...

This was a particularly compelling photo, and your interpretation makes us look at it and ourselves and peel back the skin.

Glynn said...

The expression on his face suggests he just heard you speak your poem. And it applies to the rest of us, too.

Anonymous said...

Maureen - this cut through my layers and spoke straight to my heart. I agree with Justus above - this is a prophetic word to artists.

Cassandra Frear said...

I like this poem and it speaks to me personally.

Thanks for your encouragement this evening. You are a great example to me of fully blooming in all seasons of life.

S. Etole said...

I'm always a bit in awe of your words and how they fit ...