For any interested knitters, this is Stephen West’s Starflake shawl pattern, a WIP
The world has been very heavy of late. Everyday we hear about the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, watch horrifying images plastered all over the internet, and read cruel justifications for murder. But then there’s waking up and taking my dog outside to pee. There’s showering and trying to learn how to use my new studio payment tracking dashboard. There’s figuring out what to make for lunch and when to clean the bathroom. Nothing stops for grief. It all keeps going while you try to eat enough protein and tell your friends you love them. Through this mess, I’ve been reading a lot of poetry and trying to notice moments of beauty. I came across this Ellen Bass poem a couple of weeks ago called Sous-Chef. To me, this piece represents the joy of giving yourself over to tasks involving precise instruction in a world that is often devastating and chaotic. She mixes gorgeous images of food preparation with pleas for direction:
“Give me peaches like burning clouds.
I’ll pare those globes until dawn”
“Tell me what to do. I’m free of will.”
“Show me how you want
the tart glazed. I still have opinions,
but I don’t believe in them”
This poem reminds me of why I knit and sew patterns. I may not be able to stop people from dying but I can fold fabric one quarter of an inch and press. I can’t know the future of my business but I can craft a two-color brioche section in my shawl. There can be joy in following precise instructions to create something specific, especially when so much of what we experience in life is out of our control.
Here is your prompt: What are some tasks you perform that give you a sense of joy and control? They don’t have to be art-related. They could be washing the dishes if that’s your thing. Talk about them and mix in your own pleas.
I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments <3
“With all that’s destroyed, look
how the world still yields a golden pear.” This line stands out to me this time around. If I read this poem again tomorrow (and I’ll be sure to!), a different line will strike me. That’s what I love about poetry.
Thanks for the prompt. Challenge accepted!
What a lovely post, Kate! Your words about grief and dealing with horrifying realities while also navigating our day-to-day landed just right tonight. I take pleasure in cooking/baking. When I prepare a meal, I will put on music and I swear that's like 3 hours of therapy right there. I let my hands to the work and completely forget myself. I also can control how often I see my friends and they have been a source of joy and relief these past weeks. How often I join Sustenance workshops and interacting with all sorts of lovely writers there (wink*wink) is also very soul-nourishing. I hope to see you there, soon!