love your self

black gouache, a big paintbrush & a creamy page from my sketchbook it's bold floral love - Susan Black

Love after love

The time will come 
when, with elation 
you will greet yourself arriving 
at your own door, in your own mirror 
and each will smile at the other's welcome, 

and say, sit here. Eat. 
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart 
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you 

all your life, whom you ignored 
for another, who knows you by heart. 
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, 

the photographs, the desperate notes, 
peel your own image from the mirror. 
Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott

sigh ... 

I just discovered Derek Walcott

I believe that time is coming, my time - it feels like it's nearly here - but maybe it always feels like it's nearly here, there ... everywhere. Change & growth in my life is happening so fast & furiously it makes me feel dizzy most of the time. Dizzy in that glorious, wonderful, amazed way like you've just rolled down a steep grassy hill and you feel so giddy you can't stand up and very occasionally it's dizzy and dazed  in that sickening shaming, worrying way - that icky, sticky feeling I now know and trust is not ever going to go away, uncomfortable is always going to bang on my door from time to time. I'm learning to invite her in, sit with her awhile and eventually she'll leave again, she'll be on her way - 'til next time.

I've actually had several hours today when I've felt like I was caught up with myself (my goals and action steps) for my current 18 brand new artwork, fabulous, freaky, wonderful, terrifying, just a little bit stressful (insert big wink here) project/opportunity - deadline Nov/08th eek. Caught up enough that I felt I could stop by here to my beloved blog ... say hello and show you one of my new current obsessions. Black & white (or cream in this instance). Check out my B&W pinterest board + neutrals hmmm, oh my I do so love me some ivory, cream & kraft ;-)

leaf swirl tiny daisy pattern - ink - Susan Black