Beauty?

Beauty
I'm a cynic when it comes to beauty. Beauty may cause more trouble than religion. It pokes at girls, creating eating disorders. It pinches young women's wallets into buying the latest trendy brands. It guiles ladies into smearing on useless nightly lotion regiments. Beauty is as unattainable to oneself as heaven. Because, who are you to be beautiful? I've never heard a woman fully claim it as her own. There's always a flaw, a 'one-thing' to change. Beauty. You can keep the version of it that plasters its judgment across exceptional faces and shapely bodies, the version that inevitably my daughters will one day worry about in their teens. That beauty... its looks can kill. Leave it alone, it's trouble in a tight skirt.
But don't be fooled, I'm beautiful.
There is a healthier side of beauty. Beauty you can create, with breathtaking artistry. Beauty you can capture, listening to a stunning symphony. Beauty you can taste on your palette, savoring a tenderly prepared morsel of goodness. Beauty you can feel, when observing nature's full naked glory at sunset. I'd rather observe it, hear it, taste it and feel it - than attempt to tame it, as mine.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Tips for Attending Writer's Conferences #1. Attend Writing Conferences             This may seem obvious, but it is an important first step to take in your writing career. Show up. Even if you have an MFA, you can learn a lot at conferences. There are conferences on writing in general, like the Willamette Writer's Conference.  There are also more specific genre-focused conferences, like those for Romance Writers, Children's Authors and Sci-Fi. Google and you will see there are hoards to choose from.  #2. Volunteer at Conferences       Volunteering gets you behind the scenes, meeting and networking with people who have probably been in the industry long before you. If you listen in, you may just learn something. Besides, you can usually get a discount on registration costs. Show up with a smile, be flexible and try to be helpful.  #3. Take Notes       Listen to others more than you speak. You are there to learn. I suggest handwritten notes over a laptop.  Compu
Read more

3 Steps to Becoming a Writer

3 Steps to Becoming a Writer: 1. Write. Every day.  2. Find your people. Make google your friend. Try searching for women’s writing groups, local workshops, classes, even festivals. There are tons of groups on Meet-up, one at my local library and several at the local bookstore. If you can’t find a writing group that suits you, create one. It is inspiring to be around other wordmongers. You will write more when you find people who you can relate to, people who “get” you, and people who won’t judge you because your mind is always on your story. They are out there, hiding in their pajamas behind their laptops or under their full spiral notebook. I began a local writing group by putting an ‘ad’ out on a phone app called Nextdoor. I called out to women writers in my neighborhood. They peeked out from the bushes, climbed down from the trees, dropped down from the sky—they came!  We are a dozen strong with four of five hardcore participators. We still don’t have an official nam
Read more

Fall, My Teacher

Fall is my teacher. Leaves scatter across the roadway. Fall, "Learn to let go." Winds shift direction. Fall, "Change is swift, exciting." Leafless trees shake off the unnecessary and slow down. Fall, "Pay attention." Colors warm as temperatures drop. Fall, "Beautiful inconsistency." Rain, a daily companion. Wet hem on jeans, a jolt. Raindrops on the window... Fall, "Fresh views."  Hot tea, cinnamon, steaming soup. Fall, "Sunshine is inside." No razor, warm tights, blankets, knit caps, pretty scarves, boots, cushy socks, winter coats, fires... comfort, a creation. Fall, "A lesson in self-care." Yellow, orange, brown, diverse, electric charge, Fall waltzes in, unreserved extrovert, and declares, "Be yourself with abandon!" Fall, my favorite teacher.
Read more