A Way With Words

Here’s a peek at some wordy goodness is my world.   Yesterday’s mail brought this little journal I had won via an entry on the Quo Vadis blog.  It’s called a Clairefontaine Roadbook and is the perfect size notebook (3.5 x 5.5 inches) to slip in my bag and jot notes as I’m out and about.   And jot those words I’m must – otherwise they’re long gone. 

The bracelet is the latest in my collection of engraved bangles that I never take off.   I have nine now that are filled with words and bits of poetry that I consider soul adornments.   Whenever the bracelets clink as I move around I like to think the words are activated and remind me of their beautiful messages.

This one is inscribed with words from Jeanne Lohmann:

“Our words are feathers that fly on our breath.  Let them go in a holy direction.”   

Isn’t that beautiful?   I think our words ARE powerful and holy and I love the image of them flying on my breath like feathers.

The other side of the bracelet has another wonderful quote, but I’ll save sharing that for another time.   You know me – there’s always more to reveal.

I think a lot about words.  All the time.  But they especially seemed on my mind this past week, as I’ve been prepping a new journal by gessoing pages in an old hardcover book.  Covering words so I can write new ones.  I was thinking about how much word layering I do. I often write blessings on things and then they get covered with something else.  I recently wrote a prayer and sealed in into a rolled paper bead.  I write blessings on my skin with oils and flower essences; I write words on my feet; I write around the borders of pages as frames.

It delighted me to discover that the challenge over at the Inspiration Avenue blog this week was A Way with Words – an invitation to use words in a piece of art.   I encourage you to head over and see what others have created.  Here’s my contribution:

I’ve watercolored over a printed page so the words are still visible, but now there’s something growing from them.  I also added a little print of a larger drawing I did in another journal because I want to keep those sprouting seeds close at hand and on my mind so they get needed nourishment in their tender early stages.  

So there you have it.  My words have a number of ways – in journals, on my body, in art, on this blog.  In conversations, in whispers, in manifestos, in wishes, in promises.   What about you? What’s your way with words?  Do you wear words – perhaps a tattoo or on some jewelry?  Do you have a most favorite word ever?  Do tell – you know I love to hear.