Tomorrow, noon, is the deadline for The Writer’s Desk – A contest Giveaway sponsored by the delightful Nancy over at Spirit Lights the Way. The challenge: Write a short essay or poem (between 33 and 100 words) about your writing desk, your writing rituals, why you write, how you write, how you stop writing, or . . . surprise us with a tantalizing tidbit about your writing life. And we were to include a picture which, of course, adds a thousand words to the entry!
I write in many places – on napkins at restaurants, on the back of receipts while a passenger in the car, on the back blank pages of other author’s books, in my journal, on lavender coloured legal pads, in small notebooks I carry hither and yon. My favourite place to write, and I mostly write longhand, especially poetry, is in my comfy armchair behind which sits a sign my wonderful daughter made for my birthday a few year’s ago.
So here is my one hundred word entry which begins with my thousand word picture!
Writing is time
when the mind is quiet
and words flow
from the heart.
Wisdom comes from
within and draws
from all that I am
and have known.
The flow of words
on paper reveals
to me the beauty
and grace that resides within.
Words that cannot
be spoken are allowed
freedom through paper
and ink.
Sometimes a chuckle,
sometimes a tear will flow
as revelation, inspiration
and truth become known.
Setting aside ego,
leaving self at the door
sinking into the knowing
of language beyond my own.
Listening to the voice
that moves beyond all
sound and whispers
truth.
~Joss Burnel / She Who Walks in Beauty


Feb 02, 2013 @ 08:14:26
Jan 26, 2013 @ 09:06:19
I think EVERYONE needs a “Thotful Spot”!
Jan 26, 2013 @ 09:42:11
Another Pooh fan, yay.
Jan 25, 2013 @ 22:20:57
I’m like you – I’ll write on any scrap of tree I can find. Since my memory stinks, I have to capture the words that come to me as soon as they arrive! (Or else they will be lost for a while, possibly forever…)
Jan 25, 2013 @ 12:36:23
Great poem! I like the idea that writing is when the mind is quiet and the heart speaks. I have felt that many times, but many other times I am trying to work from my find. That is when the writing is dull and lifeless, and very boring to both read and write!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 09:49:55
Wonderful thoughts, Joss! Glad you made it in before the buzzer sounds.
Jan 25, 2013 @ 09:52:04
me too, for some reason I thought I had another week and my poem was gathering dust on my laptop screen. thanks for the nudge yesterday!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 09:31:02
Bravo!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 05:54:03
you are right, writers, write – here, there and everywhere. Loved the poem as usual.
Jan 25, 2013 @ 05:20:10
With a chair like that, you just have to produce good stuff! I love your sign, too!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 04:11:37
Brilliant! You have a well-trained pen. When I demand profundity from mine, all I get is levity!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 01:48:05
Sounds like a winner to me….Best of luck!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 01:45:00
I’m touched by your poem. You win the prize in MY book!
Jan 25, 2013 @ 01:02:50
hi Joss,
This poem is so beautiful. And really says it all for me. I can understand what drives your soul to put down the written word. It sounds/feels a bit like why i paint! xox oh, and love your chair!!