Do you tell ?
It’s big. And if it lands on you, you’ll be crushed. We’ll be crushed. They I say it. There. It’s out. And it doesn’t fall. It flies. And we watch it. And it’s beautiful – because it’s free.
Footnote: Be very careful who you tell. Tell only when you’re ready to tell. When it’s safe to tell. Question the intention of the telling. The possible fall out from the telling. Choose a medium or process that holds you (and your story) as you tell – words, song, poem, image. Consider who might be able to help you catch it if ends up being bigger than you thought? Or maybe the secret is better kept than free?
The Black Dog Project came to life in 2006 with a theme ‘What’s your secret…’. The Project featured stories from people who wanted to share their experience with others. Black Dog has since ceased this theme and role due to the complicated nature (and painful experience) of telling our truth – particularly so publicly through an on-line medium. It also lead to the withdrawal of the book, ‘In My Room’, a book within I told my truth, and in telling it so publicly – rocked the boat.
Black Peacemakers .
Black peacemakers of inner conflict emerge from the depths of innocent souls. Standing firmly in experience. Boots too big tripping up lies so old. Delivering poignant punches of universal truth that swell much bigger than the silence. Inky stamps of self approval, together we rise, a revolution of self .
( Art and book design by Harley Manifold. Page from book, In My Room, 2007).
Rock The Boat .
In the darkness little helpers gathered . spilling rich black ink into soft white sheets . tailoring picture books to fill empty spaces … a few lines from a poem. The poem comes to life through a very special little book. Special, because it’s been handwritten by a young soul and for the message the handwriting carries.
Many young people I meet don’t write because they believe or have been told their handwriting is too messy, spelling all wrong, stories too bad to tell; and no-one would want to hear them anyway. So I asked one of these young people if they’d like to hand write ‘Rock The Boat’ book. We’ve been meeting regularly for well over a year now. Papers shuffling back and forth across tables in parks, libraries, cafes and quiet nooks. I bring a supply of inky brush pens; paper soft and white; the Army of Ink drawings and stories. Each piece is published in its raw and authentic form, complete with scribbling out and spelling mistakes. We hope it will encourage others to put pen to paper too.
Rockin’ Pockets .
Sometimes I don’t know what to do … but I suppose I don’t have to know everything.
Little Black Duck .
Mary doesn’t go around anymore, preferring the swamp to the lake. Where one is not laced in ribbons and bows, or stood up like pretty maids all in a row. And ducks are not ugly because they wear black. Jacks can be Jills – Jills can be Jacks.
When Mary accepted she was different – she could get away with being herself … and even if she didn’t fit it – she still had a place.
(Clunk & Jam book, 2019)
Sometimes I can’t wait any longer – so I just have to go .
(Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book. Now in Clunk & Jam book 2019)
