I’ve seen those old stone steps, worn and hollowed,
Not by footsteps but by housewives scrubbing, scrubbing,
Themselves worn down by careworn chores and drudgery.
I remember the song of women’s work:
Wash on Monday
Iron on Tuesday
Mend on Wednesday
Clean on Friday….
A woman’s work is never done, they say.
Cleanliness is next to godliness, they say.
Well, screw that.
Here is my messy studio.
Art is created in chaos. Deal with it.
Welcome to my messy home.
We only clean for company, so come on in!
You can leave your shoes on.
This is my messy heart,
Still learning friend from foe, “nice” from “kindness”,
“charm” from “danger”.
Loving you for who you are
Instead of who I want you to be.
Here is my muddy soul.
I set down the burdens others put on me.
I wipe away the dirt some thought that I should hold.
My soul shines bright in the moonlight,
Radiant in the dark.
Here is my life, the awkward, stumbling journey,
Waves rolling, crashing,
The sun in my eyes, shoes filled with sand
The waves break, the sun sets.
The wind is wild and cool.
I take off my shoes.
I see our footprints, side by side, as gulls cry and soar above us.
The beach is full of sticks and rocks,
Dead kelp and screeching gulls,
Clouds of sand flies and salt.
It is beautiful beyond imagining,
And so are you, and I.
Luann Udell
Thank you. I have a choice between housework and weaving – weaving mostly wins!
Beautiful poetry – thank you.
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Because I earn way less income than my partner does, I often feel I need to make up for it by doing most of the housework. (I put it on myself.) But I’m realizing that has to stop. I’m going to follow your example! :^)
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Oh my goodness, Luann. This is magnificent! Took my breath away!
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I don’t know where it came from, but I’m glad it did! Thank you for your comment, Deb.
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I think my best work has always come all of a piece, in a flash of inspiration.
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This one sure did! But of course, it happens more often when we have a daily practice. Something I’m willing to try with this… Thanks, Deb!!
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I’d say that poem came from a very genuine place! Beautiful and very moving – almost brought me to tears. Thanks!
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Thank you so much! I used to believe I only wrote one good poem every few years. Now, like writing & making art, I’m realizing if you do it every day, a few more good ones are bound to show up.
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Love your poem! Hear, hear! Susan >
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Did I take my own advice today? Noooooo. Unloaded the dryer, turned, tripped, and fell HARD on my knee. So now I’m spending the day at home with an icepack and a good book.
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Goal for today…take care of you! Give yourself points! Thanks for today’s tips!
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Love your poem! Creative endeavors always win over housework at my house!
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Loved it. I want to post it next to my front door 🙂
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I think I should, too! Thank you for your kind words.
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Love this post. So real.
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BIG HUGS!!
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Wow, that was beautiful!
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Thank you, Pam! I was in the middle of working on a new series, fully engaged & happy, and then realized I was OBSESSING about how messy my studio was, and how much time I’d have to spend cleaning it instead of working on these pieces. Then I thought, “Who am I cleaning for??” The rest is history. (I’ll still straighten it up, but I’m gonna wait til the last possible minute!) :^D
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Wonderful poem. I love it.
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Jo, thank you!
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This showed up in ymail at a time when I really needed it. The Universe is strange and mysterious, thank you!
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Yes, yes and yes!!! Thanks for this poem.
I used to have a clean house, a barren studio, and reoccurring nightmares about packing up and being more orderly. Now I have a messy house with sand on the floor from ocean walks, a fertile studio, occasional sightings of underwear on the lampshades, sounder sleep and a happy heart. Screw it.
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How beautiful!
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Thank you, Gaye, it came straight from my heart.
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Are you from New Hampshire?
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Oh Luann, like Gaelle1947, this almost brought me to tears, you are indeed a true artist, everything comes from your heart! How beautiful, inside and out!!
Thank you
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