That is just a beautiful poem! And I love that you put the Monet painting there (or did Lisel Mueller?) What we admire in Monet we consider an affliction in our own sight. How wise to embrace what is given along with what is taken away.
So cool - I love the whole premise of this, Kimberly, and the execution. There's that Unfixed we're all appreciating so much more with your help. Thanks for sharing Lisel with us... xo
Isn't it stunning? When I stumbled upon something THIS ASTOUNDING, it gets printed out, screen-grabbed, quoted, shared, repeated... the only thing left I think is to tattoo it to my forehead.
How did Lisel Mueller come to rest inside the ecstatic part of my brain during seizures! Lol... she has them down to a tee! “Doctor, if only you could see how heaven pulls earth into its arms
and how infinitely the heart expands to claim this world, blue vapor without end.”
Oh, it's somewhat in the current comedic book, but I'm giving it the full rom-com treatment in the next--our lot deserves a Happily For Now. The seizures themselves don't re-traumatize--they're gorgeous. It's the aftermath of recovery that's brutal. xo
It was a bestseller in its tiny category of narrative medicine. Each seizure is like being trapped in a Van Gogh. The next book is a rom-com novel, "Ellery Allbright Goes Dark"... should come out in 2025. I just need more hours in the day :)
“Doctor, if only you could see how heaven pulls earth into its arms
and how infinitely the heart expands to claim this world, blue vapor without end.”
Thank you for introducing me to Lisel Mueller!
It seems for her, she carried her trauma long enough to find one spark from an ember , at the very end of a dark tunnel. It was there , she must have found her words.
She even went so far as to include Monet’s deteriorating eye site.
It is easy to get lost in that website ( and I have).
Her story is remarkable... and I think I read her first collection wasn't published until she was in her forties. So much life to live before we can turn all that pain into beauty.
What a gorgeous poem about Paris that hit me right when I needed it--and that includes Monet and my discovery of Lisel Mueller; I can't believe I didn't know her work. "... how infinitely the heart expands ..." Thank you, Kimberly!
That is just a beautiful poem! And I love that you put the Monet painting there (or did Lisel Mueller?) What we admire in Monet we consider an affliction in our own sight. How wise to embrace what is given along with what is taken away.
This is one of my alltime favorite poems... thank you for reminding me of it!
Don't mind me, just off to gorge myself of everything Lisel Mueller has ever written...
So cool - I love the whole premise of this, Kimberly, and the execution. There's that Unfixed we're all appreciating so much more with your help. Thanks for sharing Lisel with us... xo
Isn't it stunning? When I stumbled upon something THIS ASTOUNDING, it gets printed out, screen-grabbed, quoted, shared, repeated... the only thing left I think is to tattoo it to my forehead.
How did Lisel Mueller come to rest inside the ecstatic part of my brain during seizures! Lol... she has them down to a tee! “Doctor, if only you could see how heaven pulls earth into its arms
and how infinitely the heart expands to claim this world, blue vapor without end.”
Someday I would love to read, in visceral detail, what that experience is like for you. But only if it's not re-traumatizing. x
Oh, it's somewhat in the current comedic book, but I'm giving it the full rom-com treatment in the next--our lot deserves a Happily For Now. The seizures themselves don't re-traumatize--they're gorgeous. It's the aftermath of recovery that's brutal. xo
This is fascinating. Point me toward the current comedic book? Is this the one that will be out soon?
The comedic essays book, "Gotham Girl Interrupted" came out 2018... it's at Powells and B&N, but also on the dreaded... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623545285?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3NHEKFBRNZ66PFE0KEDF
It was a bestseller in its tiny category of narrative medicine. Each seizure is like being trapped in a Van Gogh. The next book is a rom-com novel, "Ellery Allbright Goes Dark"... should come out in 2025. I just need more hours in the day :)
Buying it now!
OMG... Thank you! I'd send you one, but I only have the original advanced reader copy left that I marked up for readings when I did the tour!
What a stunning poem. Thanks so much for sharing!
"I tell you it has taken me all my life
to arrive at the vision of gas lamps as angels"
wow.
We'll never look at them the same. ;)
“Doctor, if only you could see how heaven pulls earth into its arms
and how infinitely the heart expands to claim this world, blue vapor without end.”
Thank you for introducing me to Lisel Mueller!
It seems for her, she carried her trauma long enough to find one spark from an ember , at the very end of a dark tunnel. It was there , she must have found her words.
She even went so far as to include Monet’s deteriorating eye site.
It is easy to get lost in that website ( and I have).
Excellent and very appropriate choice of poems.
Her story is remarkable... and I think I read her first collection wasn't published until she was in her forties. So much life to live before we can turn all that pain into beauty.
Her words of how light dances color-to-color make me go off into joy...loved this poem!
I feel the same way Toni. Her phrases dance in me like twirling school girls. ;)
What a gorgeous poem about Paris that hit me right when I needed it--and that includes Monet and my discovery of Lisel Mueller; I can't believe I didn't know her work. "... how infinitely the heart expands ..." Thank you, Kimberly!
And I just bought her book! Blessings ... ~ Mary
Which one did you purchase? Alive Together is stunning.
That's the one I bought and I have it now!
Absolutely beautiful poem.
A lovely poem :)