Maxims for a Refugee Artist (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, April 18, 2024, feast day of the “Maximov” Icon of the Mother of God, (above) Blessed Marie of the Incarnation (mere Marie), Blessed Maria Anna Blondin, Saint Agia of Hainault, Saint Athanasia of Aegina (of star miracle), and Blessed Savina Petrilli (..."vowed not to complain deliberately about external and internal afflictions, and vowed to completely abandon herself to the will of the Father"). On Jewish calendar today is Miriam's Passing (1274 BC), and Israelites Cross Jordan (1273 BC). Image from here.)

Maxims for a Refugee Artist

(after John Keats)

Beauty is truth, truth beauty—that is all

                you know on earth, and all you need to know.

Patience is prayer, prayer patience---that is all

                you sense on earth and all you need to sense. 

Art is unfolding, unfolding art--that is the only road open

just now, but the only one you need

*See John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn”

**From combined prompts: Freewrite as inspired by “Try to Praise the Mutilated World” by Adam Zagajewski. From Lisa Freedman’s BreathReadWrite, April 18, 2024. Also inspired by a Lenten homily from about a month ago, unfortunately I cant remember the parish, but jotted down this quote: “Part of the threat of modern life is it really creates terrible impatience on our part. Our normal rhythm of life is not present anymore. It's been super charged... We have crammed more things into 24 hours than we used to do in three or four days. And it doesn't work. We get unhappy, we get impatient with ourselves with others. It is a big big issue…” And further inspired by Daisy Barrett's Writers At Play winter series in January 2024, in which after writing down what experiences instinctively come to you when looking back on each month of the past year(if cant remember any specific events for a month can just reflect that time of year's weather etc) , then scan what have written to sense two metaphors that hold one's experiences last year (one image that holds challenge, then looking at that same image from another angle to find an image of promise--in my case refugee and artist) and carrying these images somehow into the new year with a poem.

Earth-glance (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, April 14, 2024, feast day of Our Lady of Kamalen/Guam, Blessed Virgin of Grace (Italy, Robegano district apparition, 1534), the (above) Vil'na Icon of the Mother of God and Saint Lydwina of Schiedam. Image from here.)

Earth-glance

Dance of sun upon dew, morning

new-–to-do’s ancient. Clear the 

head, make the bed. Birds to feed,

set on the tea. If moon hasn’t set quite yet 

she surely will—with promise to refill

when stars surround. 

*From prompt: Free write as inspired by “I love you. I miss you. Please get out of my house.” by Donika Kelly.

From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, April 14, 2024.

Unfinished (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, April 14, 2024, feast day of Our Lady of Kamalen/Guam, Blessed Virgin of Grace (Italy, Robegano district apparition, 1534; somewhat related image above), the Vil'na Icon of the Mother of God and Saint Lydwina of Schiedam. Image from here.)

Unfinished

task (n.): from Latin tasca, “ a duty, assessment”

Jumbled papers 

Yet to be covered books

A partially filled memorial for the departed

Snoozed emails

Miscellany at foot of the bed

Crowding in my head 

Seeds as yet planted, lying out front door here on the porch

Joseph’s boat (see it just out back window, his tools tossed round nearby)

My schedule needing weeding

Stretches needing entering

Breathing needing gentle expansion

 

s l o w f i l l,

buoyant

balloon

*From prompt: Free write as inspired by “My Sister, Who Died Young, Takes Up the Task” by Jon Pineda, and the etymology of “task”. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, April 14, 2024.

Out the Back Window (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, April 12, 2024, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Charity, the Virgin of the Valley, the Belynich Icon of the Mother of God, the Murom Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Anthusa of Constantiople, Saint Athanasia of Aegina and Saint Teresa of the Andes. Image from here.)

Out the Back Window

Lacey mist come morning

Star of Bethlehem lights the park come Christmas 

Ever the tiny post office (think Norman Rockwell)

and these hills, sproat puffs of green

or leaves red pulse, gold spark or

rain plip plop, soft sculpt snow—

so know this, says heart: 

                 earth-Sky 

                  is home.

*From prompt: Make a list simple phrases or facts about a favorite place, then weave into a poem, then reweave where needed to say things in a fresh way. From Carrie Voigt Schonhoff’s Free Verse workshop (Hope at Hand’s Jax Poetry Fest), April 12, 2024. 

A vessel now, (WC)

  

(Wendy Cabell, April 2, 2024, feast day of Mary in the Ruins (related image above), Our Lady of Highest Grace, Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria, Saint Ebba the Younger, Blessed Mary of Saint Joseph Alvarado Cardozo, Saint Musa of Rome. On Jewish calendar today, the Mishkan assembled; 7 "days of training" (1312 BC). Image from here.)

A vessel now,

safe place. With milk and Sun, 

wiggling space. Must be held 

to find this grace. So please—

a vessel now

just in case

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “The Man Who Gave Birth to a Panda” by Idra Novey. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, April 2, 2024.

 

Holy Tuesday, 2024 (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, March 26, 2024, the Leavetaking of the Annunciation, Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel, and feast day of Our Lady of Soissons (related image above). On Jewish calendar today is the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Wall Begun (c. 41). Tomorrow is the anniversary of  Mother Angelica's departing--a Saint simply not yet canonized many say. Image form here.)

Holy Tuesday, 2024

teach me to pray, 

pray yourself in me*

unspooled welcome

unschooled mind

hands illumine--

outreach, seek

kind ordering

of all they

touch

*Opening quote is from a prayer often used in Russian Orthodox morning prayers, from the Optina Fathers. 

Upon Encountering Acedia (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, March 15, 2024, feast day of Our Lady of the Underground, (Chartres), Saint Aristobulus of Britannia, Saint Louise de Marillac. On Jewish calendar today is Moses' Last Day of Leadership (1273 BC) (related image above). Image from here.)

Upon Encountering Acedia

In my mind I do roam, till saved by a poem,

dance, painting or song-–these having been 

Heart’s prayers all along. On to smoothing 

the sheets, touch these walls, dish some 

treats, till thrill as true see

all's kind gifted

from Thee.

Amen!

When Between the Moon and the San Fernando Valley (WC)

 

When Between the Moon and the San Fernando Valley: A Culinary Reminisce

(Wendy Cabell, March 10, 2024, Rosh Chodesh (new moon) of Adar, feast day of Our Lady of the Vine/Oak, Saint Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria and Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus. Image from here.)

My Mom makes the ~best~ mint chip shakes. She doesn't use a blender, that ruins it. You have to mix it by hand to get that contrast of liquid and thick, one chasing the other as you sip—till the tummy is comforted, cool. A steaming angel mug of sleepytime tea is my accompaniment, it’s on the end table as our family settles round the TV. God willing, it’ll be Little House On the Prairie, or Remington Steele or Different Strokes tonight. But I’d even suffer through an episode of The Incredible Hulk or The Dukes of Hazzard for one of Mom’s shakes.

Ice Cream

Being dished out at birthday parties, rare toddlerhood sweet.

Tickling palms, soothing tummy, as nestle with the family by the TV–-

day done, storytime begun.

Flown to when migraine looms, it works better than any pill.

“I want you to eat this”, says Mom, so simply, small smile. 

No judgment. Her love stirred right in. Me at age 11 and 

anorexic, that mint chip shake–-it was the only thing 

could break through. 

As digestion now wanes, I replace it with goat milk–-

piping hot no less. But it suffices. Mother’s 

milk by any other name

being the same. 

*From combined prompts: Think of a food memory you loved or hated as a child, who or what is associated with it, its sensory experience, and how you feel about that food now.  A meal that takes you right back. Then free write as inspired by Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir (from Tresha’s Memoir Made Easy class, March 10, 2024) and Ted Kooser’s “Applesauce” (from Robin Nester (of The Poetry Salon)’s Generative Writing Class, November 25, 2023). 

A manner of walking (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, March 3, 2024, third Sunday of Lent (Catholic), and feast day of Our Lady of Angels Toulouse, Our Lady of Miracles Saint-Omer, the (above) Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Non of Wales, Saint Arthelais of Benevento (miraculously freed) and Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida. Image from here.)

A manner of walking

may sway to the center

where it's safe, though the arms 

extend—dare hope for grace

sweep this path, Peace

given

                     space

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by the etymology of “march”, and “Dear March—Come in—” by Emily Dickinson. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, March 3, 2024.

Into Winter’s blue night (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, March 3, 2024, third Sunday of Lent (Catholic), and feast day of Our Lady of Angels Toulouse, Our Lady of Miracles Saint-Omer, the Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Katharine Drexel (above), Saint Non of Wales, Saint Arthelais of Benevento (miraculously freed) and Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida. Image from here.)

Into Winter’s blue night

(after dg nanouk okpik)

Where there's snow that melts.

And rain that pelts. 

And gentling (after wind’s sure sweep).

Where give nod to keep these 

softened hues, when comes 

the riot of Spring. 

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “When White Hawks Come” by dg nanouk okpik.  From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, March 3, 2024.

Into the Bright (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, March 3, 2024, third Sunday of Lent (Catholic), and feast day of Our Lady of Angels Toulouse, Our Lady of Miracles Saint-Omer, the Volokolamsk Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Non of Wales (above), Saint Arthelais of Benevento (miraculously freed) and Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida. Image from here.)

Into the Bright

(in search of the Medieval)   

Time, as in by sun, by moon–-not clock.

Space, as in beauty matters, even in nooks not 

a soul will see–-reason being, Heaven holds us all.

Taste as in balanced brews, one’s humors to

stir, sparkle new--

Travel as in ticket claimed, horizon yet in view.

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “In Perpetual Spring” by Am Gerstler. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, March 3, 2024.

Little Home on the Alsea (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, February 24, feast day of the Virgin of Guidance , Our Lady Ending the Plague (541), Saint John the Baptist (finding of head), Saint Agnes of Prague (letters to/from Saint Clare), and Blessed Florentina Nicol Goñi. On Jewish calendar today is Ezekiel Foretells the Downfall of Israel's Enemies (421 BC), and The "Minor" Shushan Purim. Image, from St. Agnes Convent in Prague, is from here. )

Little Home on the Alsea

Can you hear your small heart next to mine

and the house breathing as it holds us?

–Helen Mort, “Push the button, hear the sound”

     

Room here for hundreds of books. Room for several stashes of tea–- dandelion, fennel, raspberry, rose. Room for rainbows (paints, pens line the desk), Icons all round these walls. Friendly wink of the oil lamp’s flame. Room for Joseph’s voice at morning prayer, family Rosary come evening. Room for the stovetop bubbling with porridge. Room for body’s swaying, reaching. Room for soul’s sleeping, weaving. Room for improvement--no doubt. But as step by small step flows the way, there’s room for joy this day–

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Knocking or Nothing” by Mary Szybist. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite Studio Time, February 24, 2024. 

She (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, February 1, 2024, Saint Bridget’s Day, Imbolc, Forefeast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple, Socola Icon of the Mother of God, Martyrs Perpetua and company, Blessed Ela of Lacock. On Jewish calendar today is Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah Schneerson’s Yahrtzeit (1988). Image from here, and more info here.)

She

(according to Saint Brigid of Kildare) 

Small daily acts of love are enough, to

Hold what is powerful--

Even magical

*Inspired by "THE BRIDGE Brigid of Kildare"episode of the What’s Her Name Podcast, most specifically this part: “Call it belief, call it faith, call it physics, her life story has always been held up as an example that to those who believe all things are possible. Brigid of Kildaire believed in the goodness of people. She believed that small actions are enough. They are powerful, even magical”