Kendall Was Here!

For the last several years my partner Laurie and I have hosted a Storytelling - Pajama Party on New Years Day. We invite ten or so women friends for a potluck brunch, and each person brings a story, poem, essay, or song to share. Many of them do show up in pajamas! It has become one of my favorite days of the year.

This year our new friend Kendall was among the guests. Many of you know Kendall from her Blip journal, and I can tell you she's just as charming, witty and bright in person as she is in her journal (and probably moreso!). Kendall introduced me to Blipfoto and to some of you folks and your work. What a wonderful circle of communities.

The photo was taken during Kendall's reading of a stunning poem she wrote in November called "Instruction Manual for This Morning."


Instruction Manual for this Morning

Begin by listening to traffic hissing
on wet streets while yellow leaves collapse
in the gutter and embrace each other.
Note the number of crows calling light
into gray clouds. Slice apples, add butter
and cinnamon, bake and appreciate
the fragrance for at least half an hour
while drinking tea and taking notes.
Observe how raisins plump with sweetness
while walnuts harden and apples
go limp with pleasure.


Do not dress. Avoid pantyhose, tight shoes,
belts, bras, bands, all that binds or constricts.
Do not drive through rush hour listening to
the news, do not sit at a desk,
don't even consider prioritizing. Do not
identify target objectives. Make no attempt
to score a point, dazzle, or entertain.
Do not apply for prizes, grants
or awards; neither ask for nor write
recommendations of anyone for anything.
Make. No. Product.


In this moment, you are not
a disappointment. In this
moment, nothing is lacking,
all is at rest in its fullness,
fragrant of apples baking.
It is not necessary to want more sex,
do something with your hair, exercise,
lose weight, or buy something.
There is no looming deadline, no test
to pass. It is only necessary to ladle
buttery apple slices into a red glass bowl.
Add a dollop of yogurt. Hold the curve of
the bowl warm in the palm of the hand,
write it. This is the work of this morning.


November 3, 2011