A daunting narrative

I hope all is well with everyone and that your muse is ever-present in all your creative endeavors!

I've never blogged before-- never even read a blog-- and I'm getting the sense that many of us are in the same place. I feel as if I've been thrown into this without a road map or compass, but hey! I'm giving it a go. Personally, I like email!

Whether or not you were present at the initial conversation last summer, never fear. We are all in this now, eh? One thing I remember was that a lot of our conversation centered on Iraq... on the war and Bagdad and its place in human history. That was almost a year ago and the war is continuing even as I write. Inanna came from that first, ancient civilization. I believe the layers of history and memory living in that place, that are written into the earth, present us with a daunting narrative. I ask myself, does it beckon me to listen or does it demand to be told? Inanna's story, the story of the land past and present; it's all woven of a piece to me.

I'd like to open our inspiration to that narrative. RESPONSE ANYONE?

Tricia

We Continue the Dialogue...

I am responding to Mary Ann's idea of "The First". I like the way in which the theme of the "first" could be interpreted in a wide range of genres, from art to poetry to music. I also like the idea of "The First Poem".

I hope that by continuing to respond to the blog, and to one another, we will be able to be ourselves, to tell our own stories, and to ultimately come together to create a theme and an exciting and dynamic show at RANE Gallery.

Andrea L. Watson

Be yourself please!

Thanks Mary Ann, the intent of the blog is to be yourself and see how we can create a unique show. We welcome your energy and honesty. This will be an exciting journey. Nancy

First Woman

I have enjoyed reading the blogs from everyone and especially intrigued by Carol's poem. Don't know if I am at a disadvantage or advantage in some way because of not being at the Rane Gallery and in on that discussion about Inanna and the First Poem. I think I was initially interested in the concept of "First"...being "First Woman" in my mind.

Following my own path of creativity this morning I opened a book by Paula Gunn Allen, THE SACRED HOOP, Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions, and her first sentence was:

"In the beginning was thought, and her name was Woman."

My life's work is the empowerment of women. The same threads run through many cultures, old and new. I enjoy the possibility of reading other womens comments and being able to blogg about my own thoughts, and experiences. In a way it feels like communicating to a Feminine Collective Unconscious because I have not met most of you and blogging is new to me. It is like an anchor because I have to put my thoughts into concrete language, which seems like some form of energy I then send out into the universe and I in turn receive this energy back. 

My concern is "Do I need to fit in? Can I just be myself and not disturb the intention of this process?

 

We begin here

Hello all-
I'm so excited to see our creative and juicy conversation last summer at the Rane Gallery coming to fruition. We begin here I guess, learning how to blog (new to me). Myth is so rich with possibilities and Inanna... such a potent subject for poets.

And now the sun has entered Pisces, watery sign of the Poet and the Dreamer, sign of creative and fluid imagination. Quite auspicious.

I love the poem you sent Carol. Thanks so much. And thanks to Nancy and the rest who organized and created this blog for us.

Tricia

Inanna's Descent

Hi,

This is my first time participating in a blog. I have been interested in the Inanna myth for a long time, especially in her descent into the underworld/shadow world, being stripped of all symbols of her persona and left naked and vulnerable. I am probably more interested in this aspect than in the "first poem" piece which I'm not sure I understand. Below is an old poem about her. I am happy to continue in dialogue and to participate in any way I can.

Aloha,

Carol

Night Diving

Night eloped in high heeled slippers.
Eluding moon’s scrutiny, she banished
dawn for a few more hours.
I followed her down darkened paths,
transcending fear: Inanna’s descent
on curled lips, her journey familiar as fire.

I danced in cloudless skies, dedicated
in shadow, sought her counsel far
from civil tongues and floodlit streets.
She spoke to me in tones of dusk and gray,
sent me back to quilted dreams
of death, of destiny.

I wanted more--to leave behind all falsehood,
view the bridal chamber cloaked in mourning,
then return to innocence, my vision unobscured
by even hints of grasping. My dream turned lucid;
I awoke within its envelope, still wrapped in gossamer.
First light brought with it certainty; I’d waltzed
through long night’s wedding, witnessing a miracle.

INANNA BLOG

Just checking that I'm on board -
Love the idea -
What are you looking for in the long run?