A gorgeous poem

Photo: Camille Brodard (Upsplash)

Recently I stumbled across a poem which I immediately felt compelled to send to a few friends (a very strong sign that something has hit a cord with me!). To me it just seemed to voice a very specific feeling about this time in our lives; our bodies a little unfamiliar to us post having babies, perhaps a little afraid to be seen, to take up space. The line I particularly love is ‘unfold the map of your body’ which for me conjures the image of a treasure map and great adventures (those had and to come).

Wherever you are by Maya Stein 
Wherever you are, be there. Take up space. Occupy the full dimension.
Unfold the map of your body. Celebrate its topographical wonder,
its unpredictable weather. Make a pool of your movements, then swim
through the ripples, parting the room with your footsteps. Make no apology
for the squeak of your soles, how your jacket swishes at your thighs, that the dust
is making you sneeze. Consider it all a kind of orchestra, you tuning the keys,
you lifting the horn of your whole self to the air. Let the notes of you blast out,
at a register and speed that won’t leave you hungry or empty. Let anyone hear,
as they walk by with their shoulders up, pretending not to listen. Wherever you are,
remember why you are here: to sing

After finding this poem I looked up Maya Stein’s website and was immediately hooked, especially after reading her bio;

she writes that the motivation behind her poetry is ‘the desire to capture that which is most fleeting, to locate the heart of its beauty and power, sustain its life through language, and share that language with others. I have always believed that much of writing is actually about seeing, about paying attention, listening in, getting up close and personal with the details, and I have built a poetry practice— and a life practice—based on this.’ - how gorgeous is that?!

She also has the cutest retreat for creatives which I’d love to while away a day of two!