“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” ~ Walt Whitman
Our About the Authors series continues with Flo Shore.
I had been a solitary child in many ways. The little girl I once was lived in a world of pensive thought and literary exploration. I had a very rich inner life.
I devoured fairy tales from all cultures,
ancient mythology and at the library always asked for books where animals
spoke like humans. I read poetry, haiku and began writing verse in elementary
school.
As I matured, I came to realize how few places there were for
aesthetically minded dreamers like me. Over time I managed to transform myself
into a rational and logical thinker. I was determined to learn how to fit the
societal norms of the day and take my place to be valued by the dominant
culture. In doing so, I lost something. I lost touch with the place of
innocence. For years I looked to find my way back to that special place of childhood innocence and wonder.
This gnawing and, at times, excruciating
desire to return to “that place” of innocence took me on a long and circuitous journey. It’s
been much like the quest to connect with the elusive butterfly in my story "Blessed By a Butterfly" in our anthology Slants of Light.
Maybe if I stand still long enough she’ll return, I thought.
I came to learn
through writing, groups, workshops and mentors that the
creative spark had never really gone out. It was simply usurped by the business of
living, by layer upon layer of worldly wear and toil.
After several careers which I refer
to as my “incarnations,” I’ve spent the last 19 years in industrial sales. Somehow, I managed to find ways to bring my creative bent along for the ride. It’s
served me well but left me hungry for more. Having at last found a place to
work and learn in the company of other writers I finally feel sated. I have been writing poetry since childhood and am relatively new to prose. My introduction to memoir through the Women’s Writing Circle has proved invaluable.
So, what about “us” - a community of
writers, historians, poets and memoirists? Can we dip into that creative pool
whenever we want, splash our faces and refresh ourselves with all that is truly
ours? Perhaps we can wash away the angst and grime that some of us wear like an
ill-fitting garment and gain access to the creative portal.
I believe we can! We already sit in the
place of innocence. We just need to let the phrases, the kernels of ideas that
appear as whispers all around us come to life on paper. We can grab them and
share them in our own voice. After all, our thoughts are worth something and
could surely change lives.
17 comments:
Well said, Flo. At times I thought you were talking about me. I can so identify with that pensive child longing to feed the creative spark, yet struggling to fit in with society's expectations. I'm glad you found your way back.
Patty
Oh Flo, you can write girl!
May we continue to join in friendship and bring our whispers to life. They have been snuffed out for way too long. I love sharing my journey with you.
Dear Flo,
....."Perhaps we can wash away the angst and grime that some of us wear like an ill-fitting garment..." What promise abides in those words! What a powerful foundation for your creativity!
.....The (Our?) creative challenge lies in transforming that 'angst and grime' into words that soar beyond 'the business of living.' Our writing journey looks at the 'ill-fitting garment' as part of the material to refashion another, better fit.
.....We'll still toil, for sure, but the reward should be/will be something truly our own. Thank you for your inspiring comments, Flo.
What a beautiful post, Flo of the journey to nurture your creative self- always there under all those layers of life. Your words are so inspirational and flow with poetic rhythm. I am so happy we were able to meet. I read your words, I hear your voice and ,for me, that makes what you say even more powerful. Thank you for sharing and for inspiring us all to do the same. Blessings, Kathy
Hi Patty, thank you so much! I am so glad you can relate. I hear wonderful things about your writing group and hope to get there some time. -Flo
Hi Di, it's so good to hear from you! Thanks for your complimentary words and encouragement.
Edda, YES! I feel a great sense of freedom in shedding the ill-fitting garments as I live and grow.
Kathy, it was such a gift to attend your workshop and learn from you. I carry that day and it's inspiration with me.
Beautifully said, Flo. How fortunate you are to have found a supportive and encouraging writing group to help you recover your innocence!
Flo - I love the way you describe how our child-like innocence and instinct toward creativity gets lost and buried in the business of living - it's SO true! But, as you discovered, it does remain alive! I am thankful that this creative impulse can be revived and nurtured. Like you, I love and take so much inspiration from our natural world. Thanks for reminding us how close inspiration is - both inside us and around us!
Carol, I love your memoir "Growing Up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl" and I recommend it to our writers here in the Circle. I think your book gets to the heart of what Flo is saying - that in many ways, we long for a former time, realizing how special it was and how "true," to quote Hemingway.
Flo, Your post has obviously touched a chord. . . how society often perverts us and . . . how through writing we reconnect with what is important to us.
Hi Carol, thank you so much for your thoughts.
Hi Ginger, thanks so much for your thoughts!
Flo Shore, is that your real name? I love it. And what an inspiring, thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing
Flo-
Your segment is a refreshing reminder to never stop searching for our inner child. I think we are who we most are as children and then life sometimes changes us. Your butterfly short story is magical just like you.
Thanks for being you. :)
Candice
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