There’s a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that sits in prominence on my inspiration board:
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air…"
This is part of a longer poem, I think… I don’t know anymore, but the second my eyes fell across those words, they spoke down deep in my soul. I feel like a nymph most of the time, free as the wind, roaming the land, exhilarated by every breath the earth takes.
Years ago, a coworker had a crush on me… it was entirely harmless as I was married and he never stepped out of line, but his honesty and vulnerability was so sweet. He transferred one year and before he left, gave me a copy of a poem by Lucille Clifton that I’ve loved ever since:
Homage to My Hips
"These hips are big hips;
"They need space to move around in;
"They don’t fit into little petty places.
"These hips are free hips;
"They don’t like to be held back;
"These hips have never been enslaved.
"They go where they want to go;
"They do what they want to do.
"These hips are might hips;
"These hips are magic hips;
"I have known them to put a spell on a man
and spin him like top!"
Yeah, a little sexy coming from a coworker, but we were friends and he made no bones about his attraction to me. It was a parting sentiment that I treasure still.
This last is very personal… should I post it? My guy is away and I’m missing him very much right now so I’m feeling very sentimental. When we first met and were falling in love, he would write me the most beautiful notes and poems. My guy has the most beautiful, gentle spirit. No eyes but mine shall ever see those most private treasures. But there is one I have framed by our bed that I think is so poignant:
"Last night darkness stopped and strained to understand the words
of my baby’s love gently whispered around my neck.
"The words were so pretty he couldn’t help but take his cold blade
and leave me for another time."
I would feel a deep sense of loss if these words were not in my life, and I am so grateful to have them.
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to...
