“The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one’s soul, and that, when they were finished, had a kick like a mule.”
-Mark Helprin, author of A Winter’s Tale
I’m enduring a bit of a dental emergency, the sudden and unexpected demise of a tooth that’s been with me since the beginning. For years, this very efficient tool of the trade let me enjoy healthful breakfasts, delicious lunches and gourmet dinners with ease. Amuse-bouche, anyone?
Right now, it’s hanging on by dental floss, cracked in places I can’t see, awaiting its fate by screaming in pain. Constantly. Who knew it has so much to complain about?
I’m waiting, too –for the antibiotics to brush away the infection, and the pain meds to dull the noise. Can we hold on for eight more days?
One thing’s for certain: the days of wine and roses are over for us. It’s liquid lunch until the end.
Current six-word novel: Act as if a writer be.
Today’s word of advice: Live life in the present tense.
Favorite words spoken right now: The purr-talk of my boy-cat.
Word of the day: Breathe.
At dusk,
when Bright Eye gazes across the distance, her luxurious lashes light upon the surface. The warm air stills. The tide moves. Blue herons soar and deer venture forth.
This is when they assemble. Unseen.
They breathe in. Deeply.
As,
one by one, they sing their note, chorus vibrates on the shore, sound waves circle up and up, crescendo in the clouds …
One long, luscious Ohmmmm … As each becomes their note.
Then,
just as suddenly as they begin, the singing frogs of Coos Bay release, look inward, reflect. Breathe from the soul.
Ohmmmm again.
Approach softly,
kiss the lip. Allow the mouth to open fully.
Note the shimmer, where it crosses into mist.
Let the sunbeams fall away,
beyond the shoulder. Blue and bitters, the color of salmon
Walk to the wind, pacing the nape of the neck.
Stand on air,
lift the heart. Hold the head in one fine line.
Hear the silence, where it crosses into song.
Wrap the water loosely
between the legs. Green and gritty, the scent of lightness
Embrace the body, until the day is done.
On the drive to my yoga studio, I pass a billboard advertising a local fitness center. I don’t ever look at it, but I do today.
The very affordable “$10 A Month?” message hardly registers, given the huge-front-and-center “WTF”. For me, the real eye candy is the fresh explanation for this particular acronym: “Wow That’s Fantastic.” As I smile, thinking to myself, It’s all in your perspective, I also wonder, Is the world ready for a new meaning of WTF?
Go travel the “WWW” for an answer. This billboard has been seen across the country for at least six months or more. There’s a Facebook page devoted to it, a YouTube video, television news stories plus a plethora of blog posts having this conversation. Apparently, this WTF gets people talking. Or is it Planet Fitness? I can’t tell.
It appears that a Florida-based agency called Anson-Stoner is responsible for the bold purple-and-yellow ad campaign –although they’re not taking credit publicly (i.e., on the website) for this, the most outrageous creative, which is not out of line with the rest of the messaging (see example to the left). It’s a pretty attention-grabbing campaign, Anson-Stoner.
But I digress.
It really is all in your perspective. “Give me a break, WTF has been around a lot longer than the abbreviation used for potty language,” comments Trevor Michael Rogers on Facebook. “WTF stands for World Taekwondo Federation where I come from.” There it is. On the Planet Fitness, it means “Wow That’s Fantastic” … and Janet Planet agrees.
It’s not in my purse or my wallet or my pocket; left in the car, upstairs or downstairs – in the garage.
I’ve spent hours Searching through papers, junk drawers, computer files- Googling for links, clicking through and back. Checking the cupboards, the kitty litter, the soap bubbles in the dish water. Calling my contacts, my voicemail, my mother. Consulting my horoscope, tarot cards and tea leaves. Retracing my steps, practicing asanas, asking the questions.
I’ve examined my heart, read my own words and hoped for a sign. Maybe it’s still in my dreams, because I woke up with neither a thought nor a smile.
I’ve looked everywhere, exhausted the possibilities –for today.
Tomorrow, I’ll look some more.
How have you spent Time today? Do tell.
The dry air crackles. His voice rubs away like sandpaper. White light begins to pour into the room as if to rescue me, but I’m a goner already.
His beady eyes hold no shine as words blow through his mouth and hit me squarely. I start to feel small, smaller and alone –even though everyone is there; they all hear him.
I smell the burn as bile builds slowly in my mouth. I swallow. I seethe. I see the challenge hanging there.
And I let it drop to the floor.
Written during Creative Flow with Julie Peters, Maya Whole Health, Renton WA –February 2012
Sageland Creative 