Poem Accepted for Publication!

Poetry New Zealand has accepted my poem "Diary of an Ex-Online Gamer" for publication in their next forthcoming issue (issue #47). Sorry for the plug, but I am very excited about this. It has been a while since I have submitted poetry for publication, anywhere, as I have been very busy at work and on my business, as well as getting married (more on that later). The news came just as I made a commitment to myself to spend more time and energy on my creativity. Then I went to the mailbox and, presto!

Go check out the website for Poetry NZ -- they are a classy outfit and have been around for ages, publishing poetry from both the local and international scene.

The Human Voice

"Our voices are saturated with who we are, embodied in the rhythms, tonal variations, associations, images and other somato-sensory metaphors in addition to the content meaning of the words. Our voices are embodiments of ourselves, whether written or spoken. It is in times of extremity that we long to find words or hear another human voice letting us know we are not alone." - Robert Carrol 

Bursting Into Flames - the Horrific Short Life of a Phoenix

Interesting conversation yesterday.
I am walking past an earthquake-torn historic building and someone goes, "We in Christchurch will rise again - like the Phoenix!"
"What - bursting into flames?" I replied
"Well yes, but, wait, not like that - ok, maybe a bad example."
We laugh and walk away from each other.
Yeah, I get what they are saying. Phoenix dies and is reborn from the ash of it's former self.

Big deal.

There's got to be an easier way, me thinks.

When I learned that the Creative Every Day 2011 theme for the month of June was "metamorphosis", I groaned. I really, really did. Sometimes life feels like one painful unfolding of dry onion layer after dry onion layer. I've taken so many healing, Landmark, NLP, hypnosis, counselling, The Journey, yoga and flower essence classes that if I met Oprah on the street tomorrow - she probably would tell me I was doing too much "self-help" and needed to sit my ass down.

Everything has changed for me this year - everything. Where I live, my friends, my job, my university courses, my future. Not all bad changes, but they are big - and definitely take some getting used to. Living in a town that has been half-destroyed by earthquakes, it feels as though metamorphosis fills my every waking moment and every dream. Just down the street from me neo-gothic and historic buildings have crumbled to bits, and new buildings are already being erected to replace them.There are days, like today, when I just want the ground under my feet to (literally and figuratively) STOP moving.

 So, ok, you get the picture. Lots of changes.
Does that mean that I will jump up and down and not do the challenge?
Of course not.

The challenge of using the metamorphosis theme for creativity has actually prompted me to think about some positive, life affirming changes that I might like to make with my life and my art. Many changes I've experienced are those I have had no choice in - call them acts of god, they happen, and you just have to deal with them when they do. But what types and forms of metamorphosis might I like to explore that is actually of my choosing?

Good question.

And does all metamorphosis and change have to involve bone-breaking, flesh burning, soul tearing, cathartic stages of transformation?

God I hope not.

To explore this question I stayed up last night writing a series of poems based around the theme of metamorphosis, and I will be editing and posting them on here as the month progresses. Subjects included the way that books and reading stimulates changes within people, how old age changes people and their sense of self, how simple words and acts can render changes unto a relationship with a loved one forever.

The exercise was helpful, enabling me to write fast, loose, not worrying what came out, just moving from one poem to the next very quickly. It's a great way of shutting up the left-brain from analyzing too deeply, scrutinizing too hard, and just getting into the flow. By the end of the poetry jam session I slipped off into a contented,  creatively-satisfied slumber.

Metamorphosis happens all around us, every day. The seasons, the tide, the dresses of the moon - constant cycles of transformation and difference, always connected with a deeper, more natural balance.

That's the sort of personal metamorphosis I would like to invoke into my own life.

The Phoenix can keep it's dramatic catharsis and fiery death cries.
Some things, like writing, like life, can just be simple.

The New Zealand Earthquake

My apologies for the delays in updating and posting on this blog of recent, as my home in New Zealand has recently been hit with a series of devastating earthquakes.

Today is my first day back in my home and office, as well as my first day with running water and sewage. There is little damage to my home, but many are not so lucky. Some people have lost plates and dishes, others have lost everything. Aftershocks can still be heard, like bombs dropping in the distance. 

There is cleaning and rebuilding to do, and all the while life must go on, and I must continue to send out work in order to pay for the bills and the mortage. 

I have just posted the following on the e-zine, Wildberries, which I am editor for:

--
Hello and my apologies for the delays in releasing the second issue of Wildberries.

With the continuing earthquakes we have been experiencing here in New Zealand, in addition to family illness, this issue is very late indeed. With the most recent 6.3 earthquake on Friday, 22nd of February, there will unfortunately be even more delays. 

This national tragedy has claimed jobs, homes and lives of people close to me. My own job is now lost, as the health shop where I worked was brought down to rubble along with countless other buildings and businesses. It will take time and energy to rebuild, and even more time and energy to heal. 

Let me finish my saying that while these are dark times for New Zealand, my home, it is also a time when creativity, inspiration and hope are needed most. While Wildberries and other projects will take longer then originally planned, they will still go ahead, and like life, they will move on. 

My love to everyone out there, and my thanks for your support and understanding. I will be posting more regular updates on progress at my blog The Rabbit Hill. 

Joel Le Blanc

Editor 

P.S. If anyone can spare funds for a donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, please go to: http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php.  Thousands of families are still without clean water, electricity, sewage and shelter. Every little bit helps.

--

Once I have been able to catch up on more of the workload that is piling up around me, I will hopefully be able to catch up on personal projects, especially those concerning Wildberries and this blog as well. 

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement through this difficult period. 

All the best,

Joel Le Blanc

Everythings and Nothings, with lots of Somethings

Life is a fantastic mesh of messiness, laughter and food sometimes. It's strange when it's all so wonderful, so unexpected, yet you still feel stressed and nauseous from exhaustion, because it's all so fast, so whirlwindish. I wouldn't change anything about my life these days - except to take it off the fast-forward button. 

In two weeks all my classes begin once more and I will be sent reeling into a world of editing, writing and painting. This is good. Right? Yes. Absolutely. Other bohemians will look positively banker-ish compared to how bohemian I've become. I just desperately hope that I have enough spare time for my boyfriend, my dogs and my poor, poor vegetable patch. 

The other day I recieved a little bit of news. Apparently another one of my poems has been selected to be published in a book. I know very little about this book, except that it is an anthology of local poets and that the book launch is suprisingly soon. The poem that was selected is called "Hansel & Gretel" and was written halfway through last year following a university english paper I did on fairytales, mythology and folklore. 

Right now my beloved boyfriend is making up some breakfast for me. I can hear the complaining spittle of oil in the pan, and wafting tendrils of smokey aromas are finding me here at my computer. I had best go and investigate just what he is up to. 

Later this week I hope to upload some new content, including a few book reviews (I have been absolutely book crazy these last two weeks!) and a post on "Finding the Writer's Voice". 

Cocorosie

Just wanted to share this with everyone. Cocorosie is a band I have just recently discovered when my neice-in-law introduced me to them. I was sent a link to the song, "Werewolf", and was instantly plunged headfirst into icey fresh and strange lyrics, beautiful music and haunting story-telling like none I have come across in the world of music before. 

Finding Cocorosie is very exciting and hopefully in the next couple of days I will be sharing some of the new art and lyrics that have been inspired from their songs. 

Beach dreams and memories and clouds over hearts.

Yesterday there were cobwebs in my mind. Trying frantically to work and finish off some of my freelance projects, I was starting to feel desperate. All I really wanted to do was work on my art.

Sometimes it's as though my heart is trying to bulge out of my chest. If it did, would it bleed colors, and what would those colors be? 

I went for a long walk on the beach, asking the universe for a sign. How to reconcile my creative side with the need to pay the bills? The days melt away when I try to pin it down and make time to make art or poetry. 

I noticed flocks of birds out on the water. Hundres of birds black like magic, casting clouds over the bay. Moments later dozens of peacock-colored sardines wash up onto the seashore all around me, flipping fish dances in the white foam waves.

 

Before I know it, the sun comes out and gives water wings to fly upwards. I don't have any concrete answers, but some of the clouds in my heart gives way to the sunshine too. Whatever happens, the creative journey is never done. I'll be fine. 

Productive Day

Today, so far, is a good day. I have made time this morning to read a marvelous and inspiring book "Artist in the Office" by Summer Pierre, as well as write some new poetry and finish editing one of my latest short stories. I have sent the story, as well as a poem, to one of my tutors for critiquing. I can only hope she will be gentle!

Days like this make me feel as though the direction I am taking is worthwhile - as though I am not wasting my time completely. I need to earn some more money, true. I could really use a decent hair cut, sure. But I am producing, I am sending things off to the publishers, and people are enjoying my work! Real people. Not imaginary ones. Not family members who are forced to smile and nod approvingly as if my love depended on it. Real people!

Last night I opened up my email account to discover a poem is going to be published by an ezine "Very Bad Poetry". Funny name, eh? I suppose it's where a lot of my poetry belongs. And sure enough, the poem that they selected for publishing, in my opinion, was not one of my greatest. But it doesn't matter. People (out there!) will be reading it and it's one more thing for the CREATIVE RESUME. I mean, it's like painting, right? Whats the point of writing this stuff if it just sits on my hard drive. It might as well be out there (!) somewhere, where it might give people some measure of satisfaction or pleasure. I know it is a thrill and great feedback when people like your work enough to publish it.

The day is not over yet, however. Time to go prepare some lunch of some form, and then perhaps get to some of my other assignments. Who knows, maybe even those freelance articles that might pay my bills?