A New Verse...

"I wanna wake up kicking and screaming..." -Switchfoot

Today is Christmas.

We woke up at 8 which was a huge change from every other year. And, you know, the extra three hours of sleep did me some good. We did our usual stocking rituals and then herded downstairs for the ole tree excercise. One of my gifts was a non-descript square box shaped package. When I opened it I was staring at this beautiful piece of framed wire art. If you're into art then you understand that feeling when you look at this beautiful something someone has made and you resonate with it. I had forgotten I'd asked for this gift. It was weird seeing this piece that I had stared at and wished was mine sitting in my lap. It is deep black and white frame of a wire man leaping through the stars. It's simplicity is beautiful and unique. The gift itself means a lot. The art means more than it really says to anyone else. It is my commemoration of a new journey.

My gift following the art was surprising. It was a package of beginning art supplies. Pastels, pencils, paints etc. A little of everything. Canvasses and sketch books as well. The reason for this is because, at the age of 24, I have decided to become an artist. Well, at least dabble in it more intently. I readily admit that I know nothing when it comes to art, in the visual form, except for a little bit of photography. I am really more of a person who paints with pen and words.

I'm not sure I would have bought the stuff for myself. It was such a risk. What if I were to start using the paints or whatever and I realized that I was awful? All of that money and excitment spent only to be disappointed. I couldn't do it. I would look at things in Micheals and other art stores and just wish I knew what I was doing, but I wasn't willing to take the risk.

This is where the "commemorative art piece" comes in. It's called "Leap of Freedom" but I kind of see it as more of a dance. I want to be free to explore and be myself and so I know I have to risk failing in order to try. I have to learn in order to dance. So I'm going to. And my wire art will remind me of that.


To end a possibly thought provoking blurb I have a quote from Dead Poets Society: "But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"

What will your verse be?

Mine? That's what I'm determined to find out on this new journey.