Daily Chronicles – Page 328

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Jessica Dofflemyer

Exposed on the Cliffs of the Heart

BS_cliff_light — 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 December 20, 2010 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.