January BJP

Monday, March 16, 2009


Since January is traditionally associated with new beginnings, it seemed an appropriate month for this poem by William Stafford. Also an appropriate poem for creative beading!

When I started this I had a general idea of what I was going to do but it came out somewhat different. I had originally planned for the hand charm but then I found the muse-like figure & she seemed to fit. I was beading away happily and stopped to look and realized it felt done to me. I'm still not sure why I stopped where I did - I had planned to bead the entire heart. But it feels right to me like this. I think this is my favorite so far! I'm actually still a little perplexed as to how I feel about this one & how it ended up this way.

I've been reading Robin Atkins book, One Bead at a Time, and am feeling very inspired by the improvisational beading idea. I think some of that is showing up in this one. Anyway I'm really happy with this one. It moves me in a different way than anything I've done so far.



When I Met My Muse

I glanced at her and took my glasses
off—they were still singing. They buzzed
like a locust on the coffee table and then
ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the
sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and
knew that nails up there took a new grip
on whatever they touched. "I am your own
way of looking at things," she said. "When
you allow me to live with you, every
glance at the world around you will be
a sort of salvation." And I took her hand.



9 comments:

Marty S said...

Oh, very cool! This is very intriguing. What a nice poem to start out the year.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

KV said...

Ah, yes -- the mystery of what the beads tell us when we are busily working away. They always let us know when we are done.

This is a great piece, Robin!


Kathy V in NM

Susan Elliott said...

OK, I have to admit when I first read the poem, I got a very sexual feeling. Luckily, your beautiful piece brought me back to reality. I wonder what else will happen today?

Anonymous said...

Hm, I'm going to re-read the poem w/Plays with Needles comment in mind! Thanks all for the nice thoughts!

Tracey Leeder said...

Lol rmt! I did the same thing! I may be 1/2 dead, but didnt find that feeling.....haha! Anyway, Robin, I really love your symbolism in this piece. Isnt it something how the beads really do talk to us if we are open minded enought to listen to them? Love the cheery yellow swirls and the charms you chose. well done!

robin michelle said...

Thanks Tracey! This was really the first time that I felt the beads were "talking" to me and I'm still surprised. It's a pretty cool feeling actually!

heidibeads said...

I'm so glad you listened to you muse and stopped beading when you did. It's neat how this happens. This piece is very nice, I like it a lot.

robin michelle said...

Thanks Heidi!

CC said...

Hi! I really like this piece! And of course poems by William Stafford! I think the piece fits the poem perfectly!!! Great job!
Warmest aloha,
CC

 
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