Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Exposed on the Cliffs of the Heart

 

photo by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)

Exposed on the cliffs of the heart. Look, how tiny down
there,
look: the last village of words and, higher,
(but how tiny) still one last
farmhouse of feeling. Can you see it?
Exposed on the cliffs of the heart. Stoneground
under your hands. Even here, though,
something can bloom; on a silent cliff-edge
an unknowing plant blooms, singing, into the air.
But the one who knows? Ah, he began to know
and is quiet now, exposed on the cliffs of the heart.
While, with their full awareness,
many sure-footed mountain animals pass
or linger. And the great sheltered birds flies, slowly
circling, around the peak’s pure denial.–But
without a shelter, here on the cliffs of the heart…

~Rainer Maria Rilke

Translated by Stephen Mitchell

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Living Conduit

How to experience the profound in the mundane?  This has been my exploration over the past months here in the Archives.  I’ve tapped broken washing machines, fresh squeezed juice, faulty corkscrews and scant blog stats searching for a richness in the ordinary.  These simple moments have never let me down, always revealing a twinkle of life’s deep treasure in their seemingly common place.

Leaving the routine of my familiar life and traveling these past two weeks has been nothing short of remarkable.  Suddenly, my world is full of exciting experiences and revelations aplenty.

Rich inner transformations occurred during my  recent solo journey to California’s coastal lush.  Instead of  trying to glean some semblance of meaning from the everyday, I’m now attempting to assimilate the profound into my daily life.

photograph by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)

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Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Saving Naked for Later

As I sit crafting a piece that explores the literal and metaphorical experience of being publicly naked, I realize that maybe I could give my father a break.  He’s a strong supporter of the Archives but I know some of my candid retellings may be hard for a dad to read.  I think my last post, At the Threshold, pushed his own.

I believe there’s strength in vulnerability.  And I’m dedicated to an honest sharing despite what others may think.  It may not always be comfortable, but I’m lucky that I can share a laugh about it – especially with my father.

I’ll certainly keep working on my story of how stripping down with strangers somehow connects us through our vulnerability.  But for today, I think I’ll rest and keep it light.  Sometimes it’s enough just to post some pretty pictures.

 

photograph by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)
photograh by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)
photograph by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)
photograph by Jessica Dofflemyer (all rights reserved)