There are sunflowers growing on the side of the road nodding their heavy, yellow heads just waiting for someone to pick them and carry them home. I feel like a roadside sunflower waiting brightly for someone to find me and take me home Somehow these blooms flourished here, in the space between worlds the edge of the quiet fields covered in dust and debris from the busy highway, only an inch away from the hot rubber tires they grapple for a hold in the gravel, somehow strong leaning into the sun. I am a roadside sunflower, leaning strong into the sun, somehow still standing.
When I started sharing my writing on Substack (2 years ago now!) I called my publication Ordinary Magic - it reflected my desire, as a mother, to be present with the every day beauty.
At the time, Ordinary Magic really summed up my body of work and even became the title of my first poetry chapbook.
Like life, my writing has shifted and evolved over the last two years and now Ordinary Magic feels narrow in scope. It no longer feels as though it encapsulates what my work is about, and what I want to do for you, my readers.
When I write, I write to throw open a window and let the light illuminate the magic, the beauty, and also to explore the edges , the darkness, the questions inherent to this life. I write because I must, because I need to, but I always hope that my work finds a way to soothe and lighten others. I am always hopeful that my work is encouraging and meaningful to those who read it.
When I was a teenager, the works of C.s. Lewis were like my own personal guide to the big questions of life. I hunted down every word I could find that had been written by Lewis and explored it deeply. His works opened my heart, my eyes, made me think, inspired me, made me feel like my questions and doubts and my little wandering heart had value and purpose.
I guess I write in the hopes that my work comforts and enlivens other hearts too.
I am expanding my vision for my work as a writer and artist, and by the end of this month you'll see some changes here on Ordinary Magic.
As I prepare to shift things, I wanted to check in with you, my readers! Without you my work would still be in a pile of untidy notebooks underneath a desk. I would love to know more about what you love and look forward to from Ordinary Magic.
I would appreciate your feedback - I have a couple polls here for you to quickly share your preferences - or you can just hit reply to this!
Thank you so much for your feedback and most importantly for continuing to support my work.
A Little Bit of Wild
Sat on the front step to listen to the thunder and the rain pour down.
The street quiet except for the sound of water rushing under rumbling skies.
Then I heard a laugh somewhere not far away. Turning towards the sound, the next door neighbor in her rove standing in the middle of her yard, face turned up to the blue gray sky.
I think everyone has a little bit of wild inside them. A little thread that pulls us out into the woods and the trees and the wind. We don't always listen to it but it's always there, calling us home
calling us home
calling us home to ourselves.
I absolutely loved these pieces. Simple, but spoke volumes to me.
Lovely poems as always! Good luck with the expansion! I am excited about your upcoming changes!