“It’s always a question of beginnings”

On January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 By NW FilbertIn Journallings, TracesLeave a comment

Another year. The title of this post comes from Helene Cixous’ introduction to Clarice Lispector’s The Stream of Life, both books being part of the tight reliable necessities of each of my own repeated beginnings. No matter how I try otherwise, when the first of a calendrical year comes around with its socio-cultural aura-like atmospheric influence of the idea of new beginnings…I find myself tracking to the shelves for these few cellular texts like the body seeks to breathe. This has been my inalterable habit for so many years now, that I can not avoid recommending them (with the highest deepest forms of loving attachment), to all of you.

“evoking the incommunicable realms of the spirit,

where dream becomes thought,

where trace becomes existence…

I write you because I do not understand myself…

it is always a question of beginnings.”

“And for many years I have been writing,

borne by writing,

this book that book;

and now, suddenly, I sense it:

among all these books is the book I haven’t written;

haven’t ceased not to write.”

and additionally, today:

“What I mean is, if you have ink in your blood it’s hard to get it out of your hands…

Our reputation for excellence is unexcelled, in every part of the world.

And will be maintained until the destruction of our art in some other art which is just as good but which,

I am happy to say, has not yet been invented.”

“Samuel Beckett: Try again. Fail again. Fail better…

to conceive of writing as a possibility space where everything can and should be considered, attempted, and troubled.”

May your 2013 be filled with incredible texts and integral growth and development!

Inspiration Chains, or, Free Association

On December 23, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Journallings, Traces2 Comments

Prompts, shared. Whether images or music, language or film, it is delightful to hearken others’ cherished influences, themselves becoming common grounds, points of congruence for these virtual-seeming communities of blogosphere. Recursive and reciprocal correspondences, often represented via comments, but probably present in many less conspicuous ways, are, in my opinion, the likely meaning-manufacture points of this medium. Circlesunderstreetlights has passed on some lovely and instigative musical prompts over the past days, each of which I’d love to interact with via language, but haven’t found the coveted chain of moments that might allow for it. However today’s prompt from her:

tripped off a chain of evocative discoveries and resonances for me… including, but not limited to:

which led to a combo with one of my favoritest crooners:

leading onwards to more of Patrick Watson:

may these bring some moments of holiday PEACE and reflection

and perhaps even inspiration and production!

Cheer

A Prompt for all

On December 18, 2012December 18, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Traces20 Comments

This song compels me into verdant places imaginatively again and again…any and all who would like or be willing – it would intrigue me to see what you each might blog/create or what is evoked for any and all of you when you engage in this beautiful piece…

Very Inspiring

On December 11, 2012December 11, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Journallings, Traces7 Comments

In the space of three weeks I have received 3 nominations for the “Very Inspiring Blogger” award here on WordPress. I’m a little bit wordless. It feels in me that inspiration works like a system of waterfalls. Someone kicks the rock out of the way and the water flows, tumbles over one fall dislodging more obstructions, flowing on, saturate and soothing…on… “When it rains…” I am very thankful for these nominations / recommendations / kudos. It is very inspiring to be considered inspiring. Thank you: The Rag Tree, The Writer Site, and Words That Flow Like Water. So, essentially, the award bounces right back at you – for its bestowal is so inspiring in itself. To view my 7 things and the bloggers I nominate in kind, please visit my initial response: https://manoftheword.com/2012/11/23/reasons-for-thanks-inspiration/

Please take a look at my current blog roll as well – through these other bloggers I have come to follow many new blogs that promise to be quite inspiring, but don’t feel I’ve followed them long enough to contribute awards. I would like to point out a few bloggers who have newly inspired me by their contribution of comments to my posts:

Simon H Lilly

R. L. Culpeper

Elena Caravela – an explosion of creativity I have followed consistently

Mari Sanchez Cayuso – her tangles of words (and images!) always unraveling potent internal realities

Petrujviljoen – ever active and compelling

Biblioklept – consistently instigative tidbits

Literodditie – fantastic and curious and quirky

This Blog Needs a Title – I thoroughly enjoy what happens here

Appropriately Frayed

Brainsnorts – always thoughtful and genuine

Okay, so it isn’t difficult to compile lists of inspiring bloggers in our community – and the happiness it brings is the fulminating trajectory of ever discovering more through awards like these – THANK YOU ALL!

Underneath is the meaning that it is meaningful to each of us – however small or distant these contacts and connections – that we each are offering ourselves and our work and welcoming those of one another – thank goodness and human capacity.

To paraphrase Dave Eggers (writing about David Foster Wallace):

“Which is, after all and conveniently enough for the end of this introduction, what an author’s seeking when he sets out to write – anything, but particularly a blog like this, a blog that attempts to give so much, that requires sacrifice and dedication. Who would do such a thing if not for want of connection and thus of love?”

THANKS AGAIN – AND KEEP BLOGGING!

The Feeling of Today

On December 9, 2012 By NW FilbertIn TracesLeave a comment

Excerpt from the Book of the Dead – Jabes (replete with traces)

On December 5, 2012December 5, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Current Reading, TracesLeave a comment

Edmond Jabes - from "The Cut of Time" — Edmond Jabes – from “The Cut of Time”

“Why render that experience through fiction? First, because we are only fiction.

We are only the idea we have of ourselves.”

-Edmond Jabes-

Another Fragment…

On December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Current Reading, TracesLeave a comment

David Foster Wallace in conversation with Larry McCaffrey

Pieces from the Book of the Dead

On December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Current Reading, Traces1 Comment

David Foster Wallace, from Conversations with David Foster Wallace

Mythmapping

On December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 By NW FilbertIn Experimenctes, Traces, Writing8 Comments

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Were I to map my way. I would be able. By feel I would be able. Blind or no, an inner moisture, dark. We speak of eerie streets at night, that obscure mist. Even like that, lamp posts and all, in there, inner chambers, as if the heart were made of rooms, but inside out, in other words. A cavern of the outside, shrouded in nightmist, my dank heart. Without my glasses I am blind. These are the lights I speak of. Vague indeterminate orbs. Still I could map my way. Even now, were you to plague me, or stand me in a corner of the night’s cold rain, I have no doubts. For maps are made by walking. No one sees.

I can find you.