I am currently reading M Train by Patti Smith. The extraordinary Patti Smith, I might add. I am consumed, and completely awed by the seemingly ordinary majesty of this fiercely intelligent woman. While I read, and wander (as I do) travel and ruminate on the words and images, I think to myself that I shall never write another word.
Never will I ever even come close to the magic woven here, spun into pure gold.
Then as I read on, somehow I find myself here. (if I can be so bold) I find I am nodding in recognition, and grinning at dialogue that forms in her head, and conversations with inanimate objects. In the scribbling down of thoughts on napkins or scraps of paper, that for me are often virtually untranslatable if I’ve left them too long.
I can recognize feelings, longings and the sacredness of being in the world.
It is quite a vulnerable thing to open yourself up in this way, to put down in print things that make you think and feel and touch you in weird and wondrous ways. It is I suppose the ultimate ‘naked selfie’ where you of course have the option to photo shop out wrinkles and scars, blemishes and double chins …
or not.
To offer yourself from the inside .. out.
for others to smile at or scoff at,
to criticize or
recognize
or possibly not to notice
at all
to step around
too busily hurry by
to pass over
yet still, there you are
heart in your hand
humble and kind
offering yourself
warts and all
And while I in no way would ever consider myself anywhere near the magic of this writing, it is in the beauty and the artistry of the indelible Patti Smith that I find great inspiration
to continue in my own small way
to wandering my world in words and wonder
and to sharing it
here
with you,
my friend
while talking to toads
sailing with clouds
and
smiling at sunshine
always in gratitude
for the kindred
souls
who continue
to offer
visions of me
to
myself ♥