A Poem: Instructions for Painting

 Instructions for Painting

Immerse yourself in the dark

As it makes its appearance

that by nature absorbs all the light

Explore the dynamic

As it bleeds out its rivulets toward light

Let go, no need to control

Protecting the precious places

That sometimes conspire 

To be essential to the composition

But also stop the whole from reaching its potential.

So grieve the beauty that was there, 

declare it right 

For another and different painting

Go back in as much,

As often as you need/desire/explore/see differently

Expose another dimension,

Another aspect of your truth

When you hit the wall

Sit and rock, watching your painting, and ask

“If I were going to make one more mark, where would it be

What color,

What mark-making tool to use?”

When the answer emerges

Trust and do that

Do not be fooled by aspects of

elements that bug you

Nag you

Catch you up and lie unresolved,

There’s trickery in convincing you

they work

trickery that belies a truth.

Some part of it will continue

calling out for attention.

Eventually you will heed, 

What won’t be denied,

hear them telling you what 

They need. 

You will see a way toward resolution

And follow through.

Celebrate the moments

Adding into spans of time

As you spread the paint,

Making your mark.

Immerse yourself in the now,

Engage with what is,

Flow within spirit-canvas-paint

Exposing your truth.

Let yourself into the becoming

With All That IS, 

Has Been

Or Will Ever Be

Learn when to stop

when to begin again

when to start anew

Stay curious

Trust your process

Remember who you are doing this for

Maintain your integrity

Stay truthful

Keep doing it

Even when it seems absurd

Seems meaningless

Keep doing it

It saves your spirit

Redeems your life.

So live these instructions

For creating/

For life.

     --karen frances 10/21/2023