RelationSHIP
not everything
has to go on forever
to be a success
a relationship
after all is said and done
is merely a ship
sailing the high seas
one wave after another
of more aliveness
though you set the course
that's about all you can do
once the ship has sailed
we all do our best
to try and anticipate
wind, rain, saltiness
either the ship can
or the ship can’t handle it
that’s what you find out
it’s ok to not
get where you wanted to go
aboard that good ship
or to discover
you got to where you wanted
and want something else
you might also find
where you really want to go
that ship can’t take you
a relationship
that's run its course did not fail
it just ran aground
voices in your head
like seagulls fighting for scraps
scream “stay on dry land”
the voice that matters
your inner compass whispers
"let's set sail again."
This week, I was going to tell you about how the Sunday Haiku Milieu emails came to be (join up at haikumilieu.com.)
How I had the idea to do a daily email, but couldn’t get myself to do it.
How I shared that with my friend Bruce, who said he hated daily emails, and that I should do it just once a week (check out the new Sons of the Never Wrong website and album: sonsoftheneverwrong.com.)
How I got my friend Cathie to design it, what an amazing designer she is, and how she keeps saying yes when I want to add sections to it. (more of her work at www.doubletakedesign.com.)
How the Sunday email launched at Marc Smith’s poetry slam, where my friend Naomi is a beloved regular, and how my husband Robin and my friend Jodi are currently tied for writing the most songs inspired by a Haiku Milieu. (Listen to Naomi's new single on Spotify, stay tuned for Robin's new album, and three cheers for Jodi and Jim.)
How much I love the back and forth with readers on Sunday, which for me, is how I take communion these days.
How much it means to me that you are here.
And how much I hope this goes on forever.
I sat down to write all that, and the poem you read above came out instead.
When people ask, why should I bother with an artistic practice? So many other people are already doing what I think I'd like to do. And they are so good. Why should I bother?
I say simply this: to get your own attention. Learn what you really think about things. And maybe even surprise yourself. Like I did, just now.
If you came to learn what you really think about something because of a piece of art you made or are working on, drop me a line. I'd love to hear about it.
© Jenny Bienemann