I have been making a lot of leaves - crocheting, knitting, drawing. First, I thought it was my way of connecting with nature in my house-bound(me/CFS) state. It is, in a way. The larger perspective clicked only when I came across Naomi Shihab Nye'e poem The Art of Disappearing
"Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time."
Then I realised that I have been surrounding myself with leaves for the last two years. It began with choosing a curtain of leaves for the home I was trying to build alone. Then they slowly and unconsciously spread around me until it made me pause and pay attention to what is happening. My therapist told me that my crafting is an escape mechanism, but reading your piece reaffirmed my belief that it is not. There is something bigger happening when I am immersed in my crafts. Thank you for this essay! I will share it with my therapist ♥️
Thank you for sharing your weaving and your words Wendy. They’re both so beautiful, and poignant. I too find autumn a time of reflection and a constant reminder of the beauty and the impermanence of it all. And how they’re so connected too. I found myself thinking of that quote by Rilke whilst reading, as I often do at this time: “Is not impermanence the very fragrance of our days?”. It also felt very therapeutic to me to read the meaning behind your weaving and this specific design. A little like being a fly on the wall of an art psychotherapy session or something! So much of it landed for me on your list of what you’re letting go of… I’m going to have to read it again I think. 🍂🍁
The insights woven into this hands and mind work of yours are sinking in for me. I’ve read this twice, realizing I am trying to compost these things too – all of them. I know from talking with friends how we often share a few things we want to let go (compost is a much richer way of seeing this) but until now didn’t imagine there may be many, many of us who resonate with all or nearly all of the dozen you listed. This is a wise and useful list. A wise way of letting go with wool and close attention and grace.
Laura, thank you! I suspect many of us are doing this work, especially women of a certain age. It gives me hope and I'm pleased to have given you another way of looking at it.
I have been making a lot of leaves - crocheting, knitting, drawing. First, I thought it was my way of connecting with nature in my house-bound(me/CFS) state. It is, in a way. The larger perspective clicked only when I came across Naomi Shihab Nye'e poem The Art of Disappearing
"Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time."
Then I realised that I have been surrounding myself with leaves for the last two years. It began with choosing a curtain of leaves for the home I was trying to build alone. Then they slowly and unconsciously spread around me until it made me pause and pay attention to what is happening. My therapist told me that my crafting is an escape mechanism, but reading your piece reaffirmed my belief that it is not. There is something bigger happening when I am immersed in my crafts. Thank you for this essay! I will share it with my therapist ♥️
Thanks for your comments. I believe that we usually know, often intuitively, what's best for us.
Absolutely beautiful weaving and words Wendy. Thank you for sharing your art 🍂
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed this piece.
Thank you for sharing your weaving and your words Wendy. They’re both so beautiful, and poignant. I too find autumn a time of reflection and a constant reminder of the beauty and the impermanence of it all. And how they’re so connected too. I found myself thinking of that quote by Rilke whilst reading, as I often do at this time: “Is not impermanence the very fragrance of our days?”. It also felt very therapeutic to me to read the meaning behind your weaving and this specific design. A little like being a fly on the wall of an art psychotherapy session or something! So much of it landed for me on your list of what you’re letting go of… I’m going to have to read it again I think. 🍂🍁
Thank you for this, Emma. Art is definitely therapy and autumn signals impermanence!
Wow, so many of the things on your list would be on mine too! I love the tapestry too.
Beautiful -- wonderful metaphor and gorgeous weaving
Thank you so much, Jan.
The insights woven into this hands and mind work of yours are sinking in for me. I’ve read this twice, realizing I am trying to compost these things too – all of them. I know from talking with friends how we often share a few things we want to let go (compost is a much richer way of seeing this) but until now didn’t imagine there may be many, many of us who resonate with all or nearly all of the dozen you listed. This is a wise and useful list. A wise way of letting go with wool and close attention and grace.
Laura, thank you! I suspect many of us are doing this work, especially women of a certain age. It gives me hope and I'm pleased to have given you another way of looking at it.
I love your weaveing *and* your writing, Wendy.
Thanks, Tia. I don't think I'm in any danger of stopping either any time soon!
Thanks for this reminder about the importance of letting go, Wendy.
I think in times like these many of us hold onto things that we'd best let go!
Today on this very day of atonement and deep contemplation in the Jewish calendar you’ve truly struck a chord within me.