16 Comments
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Alexander Lovell, PhD's avatar

I'm sitting here thinking about stunted growth and what happens when we stop watering the garden. You asked what the risks are, and honestly, I think the biggest risk is becoming a stranger to yourself. I've had periods in my life where I stopped being curious, where I let fear or exhaustion or just the sheer weight of daily life flatten me into someone I didn't recognize. And the thing is, it happens so gradually you don't even notice until one day you look around and realize you've been living on autopilot for months. Maybe years. Your poetry workshop sounds like the opposite of that. Like you're actively choosing to stay awake, to keep growing even when it's uncomfortable or unfamiliar. I love that you're doing this in your 60s. There's something so hopeful about that. Like it's never too late to become more yourself. To try something new and let it crack you open a little. Reading this makes me think maybe I should stop waiting for it to make sense and just follow the pull. Thank you for the wonderful nudge.

Amy Brown's avatar

Alexander I appreciate your thoughtful comments more than you know. You always bring a rich layer of understanding to what I’m trying to convey. I am so grateful for my capacity to keep growing which feels stronger than ever, 💗So…follow what pulls at you. Don’t wait too long 😀 (says the 65 year old who would have wanted that advice for her younger self).

Corry MacDonald's avatar

Ahhhh Amy, so delicious to dive into your poetry and I’m stunned to think that this is just a new curiosity you are following. This is your soul speaking and what a delight to have been on this bodylove poetry journey with you these past weeks. I’m so grateful that our paths have connected at this special time in our life and our creative discoveries and uncoverings. Thank you for being you. Thank you for creating as you do. Thank you for your warm and generous expressive heart. 🌞XC

Corie Feiner's avatar

I love reading the poems here!

Kristin Pedemonti's avatar

Oh Amy, such exquisite, gorgeous layered, honest, loving tributes you've written to your thighs, your belly. Beautiful! The layered images, the celebration and the letting go, too. Wow, wow, wow!!!! Please continue writing poems! I've had a layered relationship with my body having had a 20 year journey with disordered (not) eating/dysmorphia. I've come to deeply appreciate that my body functions! Aging is an 'interesting' thing too. Oy! PS. I Love, and have loved Sing the Body Electric ever since I first heard it in the movie Fame. I think I was in 6th or 7th grade. The TV series Fame was also deeply important for me. They spoke to real issues facing teens and there weren't always happy endings. I appreciated that.

Amy Brown's avatar

Kristin, your encouragement means the world to me, thank you! I understand how layered our relationship to our bodies can be. Witnessing that, and appreciating beautiful you!

Corie Feiner's avatar

They are exquisite! When I have a free sample workshop I would love for you to come!

Imola's avatar

Amy, I’m so so happy to hear that you now see your body with a poetic look! I loved what your poetry. Many fantastic lines, but especially this one: “We long to be

exactly who we are.” Yes, no squeezing, moulding, forcing. Accepting. I’m so encouraged by reading your journey. Every week you seem stronger and more confident(also your writing!) You are my role model!

Amy Brown's avatar

Thank you Imola! I

Appreciate that & look forward to becoming more active in your poetry circles, too💗now that I have my wings!

Imola's avatar

Amazing! I can’t read more of you!

Tina Day's avatar

What beautiful offerings, what tender shoots, and already blossoming. Such a lovely way to re-find parts of yourself. Sigh.

I have not written poetry in years, but I miss it reading yours. I will have to try seeing my body with tenderness…I often see it as a workhorse or an inconvenience, not a companion. And yes, so much shame and complex emotions binding our bodies. So much we are handed that is not ours, but becomes who we are.

Amy Brown's avatar

Tina, your kind and encouraging words mean so much to me. I have never written poetry before. I am a prose writer, journalist, essayist, novelist. But I am loving this adventure in poetry, especially its focus on body parts in Corie’s amazing workshop that blends somatic practice with craft awareness, writing and sharing of poetry in a close-knit, encouraging group of women. I hope you will return to poetry and show your body some love.💕

Corie Feiner's avatar

And you are so much part of it.

Megan Boegman's avatar

I love both your poems, it's been so special to witness their becoming!

I vote for more poetry from Amy.

Corie Feiner's avatar

Yes, it has. And to witness yours, too!

Amy Brown's avatar

Thank you Megan! Your support has been so special to me & it’s been a pleasure to make a new friend with whom to safely and joyfully explore poetry.💗