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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Naked Musings



Time, you’ve discovered, is an illusion; the past a blur, and happiness is as slippery as a river rock. And who dares to boast of their sure footedness, for feet do slip, and those slips may provide a nasty fall. Or is the fall nasty at all? Dare I judge my fall, or your fall, or any fall, for falls are falls and common to men—and ladies too. So lift your pretty skirts as you step from stone to stone with water rushing around, swirling with elegance like hand-blown glass, a blurry window to the bottom.

Lift them higher, lest you lose your step, and your white fluffy dressings get tangled around your delicate ankles. Step carefully, for the icy water moves with determination, and if you’re not careful you could be washed downstream—lost forever.

What’s this? You’re lifting your dress over your head, letting it fall to the ground—if a dress falls in the forest….

Your undergarments too? I see you’ve finally committed.

Your wintery skin is not used to being exposed to the glaring sun. Your toes grip at the rocks like greedy fingers, seeking surety and balance.

The river is restless and wide; but you keep your composure, for you see beyond the tumultuous waters, to the other side. Who is it that tempts you across the dangerous flow, for Jesus you’re not, but still you defy propriety and prudence, by persisting—moving along carefully, emboldened by the spring air. Your body prickles with goose flesh, yet you’re neither cold nor afraid; you’re drunk with determination and desire.

You’ve decided that your teachers were wrong. They said that you couldn’t do it, or shouldn’t do it—you can’t remember which it was, but what do they know anyway, for they sit and teach, eating donuts in the break-room, and marking red all over your soul.

They know nothing of true life, of walking along the stones in the springtime—naked. They know nothing of your desires, your perfumed flesh, now musky from effort, lips parted and glistening with intent. No, they know nothing of risk, and passion, for their folded arms prevent their hearts from admitting such hungers.

You close your eyes, feeling bolder still, stretching a blind toe forward, and searching the air for a sure place to land. You feel the thrill of not knowing, and must stop mid-air so you’ll never forget. You smile as you find the answer, that rock in the water whose smooth surface feels like cold velvet.

Each step is a pleasure when one pays attention to the moment.

No one can see you, or hear you—or judge, for this is your dance across the river; these are the stepping-stones to your journey. Your nakedness means nothing—and everything. You are like the trees and the river, you’re raw and free, and for once your nakedness doesn’t frighten you.

Just a few more steps until you reach the one who stirs your soul like a primitive witch’s brew. He is there, waiting, playing with a sprig of tender green as he watches you move closer. He’s smiling now, and rising—for you are near to the shore. Reaching out to you, he catches you as you lose your footing on that last wobbly stone. Together you fall backwards onto a bed of new grass, a lovers’ nest, startling and moist— together at last, like music and movement.

He feeds you ripe fruit, taking his time, admiring your beauty, the strength of your shoulders and the way they curve downward like steep white cliffs. He imagines himself diving from those cliffs, finally losing himself in your depths. You close your eyes, surrendering to his lavish affections. Never before have you felt so worthy and secure. Opening your eyes, you study his face; the sunlight dances in his eyes. He is deity.

You’ve no intention of leaving. Ever. Together you complete what was left undone—that thing that must be—the truest thing of all.






29 comments:

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

That was lovely, Leah.

JANU said...

Spell bound Leah...you certainly have a way with words..great imagery and a great post.

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Karen. I hope you're feeling better. Spring is here!
Hugs,
Leah

Leah Griffith said...

Janaki, thank you my dear. I'm so busy with preparing for my book launch that I wasn't sure I'd even have time to blog. But...this one was begging to come out;)

Marie Loerzel said...

So that was deity making me a little hot? Damn, must get me some..

Leah Griffith said...

Marie;)

Jayne said...

Oh my goodness, Leah, such lush imagery and imaginings! Simply divine.
I loved the little diversion to the schoolroom... "but what do they know anyway, for they sit and teach, eating donuts in the break-room, and marking red all over your soul." So true for so many, and so sad. Many of us must unlearn nearly everything we learned, or tried to learn, or resisted but acquiesced, at school.

Shoulders curving down like steep white cliffs... had to reread, and reread that--so beautiful. I feel better, refreshed now. :)

Ms. Faustus said...

My teachers were wrong. So wrong. I am blowing them all a raspberry and disappearing into the ether.

This may well have been your most powerful post for me, Leah. Thank you. I hope you are well.

Leah Griffith said...

Jan said: Wonderfully written. I loved it.

Thank you Jan. <3

Leah Griffith said...

Jayne, our little walks are proving to be quite refreshing. Sometimes it amazes me how words have the power to enter our beings and transport us.

Leah Griffith said...

Chris, I thought of you when it was complete. We do parallel.
I'm well. Thinking of you!!
Sending hugs.

Mary Hudak-Collins livingthescripture.com said...

How beautifully written Leah! This line especially caught me : 'Each step is a pleasure when one pays attention to the moment.' So very, very true!

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you so much Mary. Yeah...that line says it all.

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Leah, Mary beat me to my favorite line, too! :) To be truly awake and alive in the moment is everything!
Thank you for another dazzling reflection full of sumptuous imagery!
Blessings!

Jasmeine Moonsong said...

What a fantastic post!!! Wow! Not sure if you ever have but have you considered writing meditations?

Leah Griffith said...

Jasmeine, thank you for your generous words. I've never thought of writing meditations. Something to think about...
I appreciate your thoughts and comment. Have a wonderful weekend.

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Martha! I love writing like this. I've been doing it for many years...flowing and going and discovering all sorts of treasures.
XO

Tameka said...

I felt this in my soul girl! The music was a great pairing as well. I know what you are going through and I am thrilled to see you working poetically through to the other side. Damn those teachers and others who don't get it. Many do. Keep going mamita! Cheers!

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Tameka! I'm getting closer to the other side of the river! What's this? My goodness you're right there too;)
Sending love!
Leah

Anonymous said...

Hmm I need to find new teachers... the ones I have don't entice or invite me to dance naked in the forest!
Enjoyed it

Rimly said...

Oh god I just love the way you tell things. I could just imagine myself taking that walk, not caring, naked to reach the other side. Beautiful. Your writing is like a breath of fresh air Leah

Debbie Maxwell Allen said...

I love how I experience all the senses through your writing. Lovely!

~Debbie

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

Hi again, Leah!

I tagged you in the Lucky 7 meme, if you have time.

http://karenwojcikberner.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-7-challenge.html

Dangerous Linda said...

WoW! That story took an unexpected turn (or two, or three...) Just like life. Beautiful! Just like life. Thank you for taking the trouble to put this into words for us! XOXO

Leah Griffith said...

Saviragupta, so glad you enjoyed it. Time to get new teachers;)

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Rimly. We are all making that trek across the river—naked. It doesn't seem so scary when you focus on what's waiting on the other side.

Leah Griffith said...

Karen, I would love to join in but I'm buried right now. Thanks so much for the invite!

Leah Griffith said...

Yes Linda, life is full of twists and turns. I believe we would soon get bored without them. LOL!! Thank you for your thoughts. It's always nice to find your insightful comments on ELR.
XOXO

Melissa Tandoc said...

I wish I could feel as naked and free! You have a way with words and I truly like it. I could feel everything as you described it...

Bellissima!

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