Mindful Writing Day

I have been writing small stones for a while now and really appreciate the way they make me pay attention to the small things in life I might usually miss. Today is Mindful Writing Day: a day to slow down and write some small stones.

Here is my first stone of the day:

Grey air, grey light,
dull drip of descending water;
his eyes flicker open
but no light gleams in them.


Read more here

Pay Attention: A river of stones

During January I took part in an intriguing poetry exercise; to really notice one thing every day and write a 'small stone' about it. It was a calm, focusing exercise and I noticed some interesting things and some that were incredibly personal and helped me to gain some perspective in life.

The river of stones project is run by Fiona Robyn and Kaspalita to encourage people to write short observational pieces (small stones) as a way of engaging with themselves and with the world. They are really interesting and kind people who have a mission:

Fiona and Kaspa

'We would love for people to walk around with their eyes, fingers, mouths, noses and ears more open. To enjoy writing things down. And to love the world a teensy bit more as a result.'

 

When I took part it was for the poetry aspect but I finished by finding a great deal of spiritual illumination. I would like to thank Fiona and Kaspa for their encouraging blogs and especially Fiona's very useful book that is a pleasure to read and it is free to download. So generous to share it like that : )

 

"Lorrie, who has pea-green eyes and mousey hair, lives in a narrow grey house and works in a call-centre in a grey office building. If you asked her whether she was happy, she wouldn't know how to answer you. Until she is shown something that's right under her nose, and which changes everything...

Lorrie's story is stitched through my brand new e-book, 'How to write your way home'. It also contains simple instructions to help you feel more connected to yourself & to the world, information on hunting & polishing small stones, advice on how to build a creative network & much more."

 

 

 

You can download 'How to write your way home' HERE

 

 I would suggest people take part in the next project in July because it is really a wonderful experience, find out about the next river of stones project here

 

After the month was ended I was lucky enough to be selected to go into the River of Stones book! If you want to read my small stones and many other wonderful moments of observation, there is a link below.

Pay Attention: A river of stones

Small Stone : 12

three envelopes with locks of baby hair weigh nothing

yet the contents shine gold, copper and dark bronze

Small Stone : 11

the dog found the basket of eggs by the back door and ate them all; the scattered shells make the child seek for a dinosaur that must have hatched

small stone : 10

The mist at six am shudders into daylight revealing the church spire pointed in faint reproach.

Small Stone : 9

all the male eyes are warm and brown and the females stare out of sharpness, blue

Small Stone : 8

the little girl's hair
hangs in a question mark;
I cannot answer

Small Stone : 7

I cut your hair and reveal your chicken pox scar, moon crater; reminder of your wet-eyed discomfort.

Small Stone: 6

The two year old child carefully picks up each bead he spilt in his sister's room; the blue ones first.

Small Stone: 5

Three clocks tick when stood at the threshold of the home, one, two, three, none of them in time.

Small Stone : 4

One bird flicks the seed toward the hedge to let the others feed.

Small Stone : 3

piranha fish thrash beneath a floating wooden house
a man on television laments the child who fell into the water
he will not say his name

Small Stone : 2

joy is circular -
the dog, dumb with it, runs around me
my boys chase each other in a perfect O

Small Stone:1

at the top of the staircase

everything is white;
a lily unfolding

photo by Margaret Clough