Hot heat simmers from the lines on my palms
I breathe in the pain, the fire, the steam
Exhaling comfort, I extend out my arms
I’m here
Bonded together in the rain
We raise our hearts to the black tar sky
A hum, a glow, under our furrowed brows
It comes in waves
A beaten rhythm of protests past
Not alone, we cry
Hope. Carried over oceans with a sigh
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Have been feeling a lot of ocean imagery this month in all my creative writing, here’s a teeny snippet. Photo credit @sergeebee
Ria Xx
Just a over halfway through January fam! Still feeling inspired? Or are you flagging a bit? Never fear, here’s my quick fix recommendation. Pick up one of these four non-fiction books to help give you a boot up the backside and get that ‘New Year, New Me’ feeling back again.
This was my 2017 ‘get your head in the game’ January read, so the inspiration it’s given me is very much fresh in my head. Elizabeth Gilbert, likely most famous to most as the author Eat Pray Love, tackles creativity in her latest dive into self-help. The book is mostly about harnessing and embracing creativity, with a spiritual and mindful approach. To be honest some of it does get a bit too spiritual for my liking, but some of the ideas presented about creativity being more of a sentient being than a personal characteristic is definitely interesting.
You may remember my review/follow up post on this one last year, but if you’re perhaps struggling with your single status this one is for you. It provided me with a nice reminder that our self worth should not be measure in romantic entanglements and that plenty of women have flown whilst in and out of relationships. The of the point being we should embrace our wonderful, individual lives.
Classified under one under one of the books that changed my life. I reviewed this one eons ago, and even though I identify more as an extroverted introvert nowadays it’s a nice one to flick back to every so often. Useful for both introverts and extroverts alike, Quiet so eloquently restores faith in the idea that introversion is your biggest strength, not a crutch.
I love a good essay collection and The Good Immigrant is certainly one of the most thought provoking I’ve read in a while. The stories and personal essays are all written by BAME authors, artists, and actors on race and diversity. Some are serious, some humourous, but they’re all insightful and wonderfully written. It’s particularly great to hear experiences from minorities living in the UK, as often conversations about race tend to focus more on the US narrative.
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Have any of these pick already inspired you? Are there any that I have missed off the list that you think I should read?
Ria Xx
I. Write
Tell tales of a Brave New World
less damaged than our own
fragmented universe
Or else, allow us to escape
into a tangled narrative of imagination
II. Fight
Like a girl. Like a boy. Like them.
Like you, for them
Bite bullets with a passion so loud
it seals your imperfect skin
from the burn of a thousand suns
III. Rise
among the voices.
Among the trauma, the hurt,
the gut wrenching loss
Together we a stronger,
but you must first feel the call
Can you hear now?
IV. Rinse, clean
And repeat.
– R. Cagampang (5.1.17)
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A little ditty inspired by my personal feminist work ethic for the coming year. Enjoy.
Ria Xx