Some creations come together like a tapestry woven of threads from different times and places… imagine a blanket with wool from all over the world.
My brain works like that. Add the influence of my muses to my Gemini mind, and sometimes I don’t even know where ideas come from. Words just flow out. But I can follow the strands. They often lead to surprising places.
The piece I wrote for the #celfchallenge contest last week was chosen as a finalist, one of five winners in the creative writing contest. I found out about @celfmagazine when @amymya gave a shout out in the @helpie discord server, drawing my attention to the @sndbox sponsored contest. What an honor to have my work featured! Yay! (Thank you!!!)
Part of the contest is to write about the inspiration behind the story. So here we go!
Image courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Fireflies in my Heart
The original post includes a prelude and a song. The intro has come to be known as “Fireflies in my Heart,” and was read by @enginewitty in his first Words with Witty show on @ramblingradio. What a treat!
Here's the beginning:
A dream sparks in several places at once, roots like lightning twining impossibilities together. Spanning time, space, and emotion, the dreamer’s feet waltz over moonlit grass and wet sand, spinning into sky a-twinkle with stars.
Rich night, painted with brilliant pricks of light, draws the dreamer, but earth pulls as powerfully as sky.
Fireflies lure a willing heart beneath the canopy of trees, and sighs blend with breeze. Wind tugs eyes closed, arms open wide, throat exposed in a breath of rapture.
The prose continues in a sensuous journey through nature, where freedom wins over fear.
I wrote it as a play between the dream and the dreamer, in an attempt to make the exchange intimate for the reader… easy to fall into the role of the dreamer. It draws from many experiences I’ve had with nature touching the essence of who I am.
It also invokes the collective yearning each spirit has for freedom. I hope, for those who read it, that the words remind you of the magic that exists within, that part of you that is so alive when in harmony with the natural world.
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Hands in my Hair
A song followed the prelude of “Fireflies in my Heart.”
This song was originally inspired by @enginewitty, who decided that week’s #artofmusic contest theme would be “Wind.” The first line sparked my poet’s mind, and the lyrics started flowing out.
The wind is like hands in my hair
The night breathes its song
The pull is so strong
I trip over fear as I dare
To follow the breeze
I run through the trees
Stars call brightly
I shine back shyly
But there’s no denying
I’m one of them
Fear-lies slide
Past my mind
I close my eyes
And give in
The fear bit was partially inspired by @buddyup’s #dropintheocean topic that week: Fear. I didn’t manage to make a Drop in the Ocean specific post in time, but was still inspired to weave some thoughts about overcoming fear into my writing.
In the #celfchallenge post, I shared Marianne Williamson’s “Our greatest fear” quote. This recognition and acceptance of self-worth has been something I’ve always struggled with.
I have yet to find the balance between humility and hiding. I want to shine, yet I’m shy. I know the Divine exists within all of us, yet I constantly doubt myself. I’ve been doing yoga for 17 years, but I’m not really great at relaxing.
Isn’t it ironic? ;)
“Hands in my Hair” is a romance between the dream and the dreamer, nature and human, and yet it’s more than that. It invites surrender, and reminds each of us that we’re stars in the same sky.
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The wind is like hands in my hair
The sea sings her song
The tide is so strong
I walk the sand feet and soul bare
The waves dance with me
The night sets me free
Nature is the ultimate muse.
While the fireflies recall my time in Tennessee, the ocean is a flashback to my first yoga teacher training, down in Baja, Mexico. For a month, I lived in a tent on the beach outside of Todos Santos, which incidentally is where you’ll find Hotel California.
One of the last nights of teacher training, we were out late drumming and chanting to Yemaya, the ocean goddess. After the sun went down, the sea began to glow with phosphorescence. It was amazing!
Stars and waves and sand—the night all glittered! Well, myself and a couple of yoga sisters stripped down and played in the waves, naked and shrieking from the cold of the water, singing praises to the ocean, and giggling all the while.
That kind of surrender, so in love with the world—to me this is the ultimate human experience.
Thanks for the inspiration, y'all!
I'm amazed how much inspiration I find from the people and communities I've connected with through Steemit and Discord. Thank you to each of you who inspire and encourage me.
Thanks for being you!
Whatever happens, keep singing your song!
Peace. @katrina-ariel
Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.
dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne
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This was beautiful @katrina-ariel. It was nice reading this and getting to know a little more about you. I love listening to your songs. You can put someone in a trance with the voice you have. Your words are so beautifully written as well.
I completely understand the shyness you have. It hasn't been easy for me to put myself out there and I still struggle in certain circles... but we'll break out of our shells one day. (I think)
But even through your shyness, your sparkle shines brightly through.
What a sweet comment, thank you! I think a lot of us are shy, but we’re here anyway, shining the best we can. Good to know we’re not alone. 💞
Hi @katrina-ariel, congratulations and thank you for participating in the CELF Writing Challenge!
Thanks so much for the opportunity and for selecting my work as one of the winners!
It is quite amazing how you are able to combine all these different pieces of work together, you have a fascinating way with words which makes your writing a delight to read and enjoy.
Now I know the inspiration behind the story - I better go and read it.
#thealliance #witness
Thank you so much! ((hugs))
Nature is always our greatest muse. Your words are lovely as always honey 💚💚💚