She’s no damsel in distress – in her upside down clown dress.
Nothing seemed to fit. Having tried on so many ways of being herself, she finally reached the exhausting conclusion that maybe all the things she was trying on were just way too big for her. And maybe she’d just have to tailor make her own little world where she could be her entirely unique, odd and small, good self.
Sometimes I Wish I Wasn’t Me .
This little soldier finally realised that being the fairest isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and looking up to stars can be dangerous – especially when they fall. And that ‘way up high’, ‘over the rainbow’ and ‘climbing the ladder’ are sometimes dangerous places to try and reach. And too far away to possibly get there on time.
Footnote: It’s such a competitive world. There’s a strong current drawing us up, up and away from who we are – or are comfortable and content being. Acceptance, popularity, success and fitting in, can feel so out of reach. It can feel impossible to meet the expectations of others. Until the question arises – what and who determines our worth? It’s also wise to question the notion that a sense of belonging exists somewhere outside ourselves. And that bigger and the better and more determines if we are – ‘enough’. It’s potentially a hothouse for discontent. Home? Home can be a building, a place, but it can also be a secure feeling within yourself.
The feather? Perhaps a reminder to hold tight and true to our uniqueness, strengths and even strangeness, despite the world’s mirror reflecting back little to support diversity and difference. (See the film, ‘Dumbo’, original movie trailer below. Tim Burton’s adaption was released in 2019). The pumpkin? Maybe that’s about Cinderella. Her tenacity and creativeness in getting to where she wants to be – on her own terms.
(Reposted from 2009. Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book, 2009. Handwriting by Mags. Now in Clunk & Jam book, 2019)
Rose took her life into her own hands .
Rose does things her own peculiar way, never relinquishing personal plans of the most unconventional type. She confidently makes unadvised decisions which often place her outside of all things mainstream. Rose fully embraces this difference, the unique directions she plots, and the independence her own decision making affords her. She works within a space-like time frame, creating objects galore that keep her safe and sound in mind – and well outside the orbit of others. Long Live Rose.
Footnote: ‘Taking her life into her own hands’ may be about not only about being self reliant but also keeping all the good things safe and close. Protecting those things from the tendency many of us have of self sabotaging and diminishing our own worth. Protecting all parts of ourselves from the horrible habit of comparison maybe? And within that small, precious space, setting our own limits. Being less our own enemy and dimmer of our potential.
(Clunk & Jam and Wisdoms of Rose books, 2019. Reposted from 2013).
Wisdoms of Rose pocket book is now available on-line from Browne Ink Studio and in bookstores listed below. Her stories you’ll find in the blog here.
. New Edition Bookshop, Fremantle. Fremantle Art Centre Found Giftshop. Crow Bookshop, Victoria Park. Planet Bookshop, Northbridge and Mount Lawley. Subiaco Bookshop, Rokeby Road, Subiaco. Beaufort Street Books, Mount Lawley. The Well Bookshop, Applecross. Collins Booksellers, Cottesloe. Diabolik Books & Records, Mt Hawthorn and Paper Bird Books, Fremantle.
Footnote: Not everyone is confident socially. And if you’re someone who is comfortable in their own company, often others aren’t comfortable with that. And a lot of kids get bullied because they don’t fit in too. The ultimate place to get to perhaps if you’re a ‘Bags the back seat’ person is being quietly confident, solidly grounded in your own place – despite the reactions and views of those around us.
Society generally looks down on the ‘loner’ too. Those who are different, those who live in their own quiet company. And for those who like all the attention, there’s something unsettling, almost threatening, about the quiet observer—one who looks on. Doesn’t join in. This ‘Ink’ also raises questions about position and status. What comes to mind are things like, ‘working your way to the top’, ‘climbing the ladder’, ‘securing the lead role’, being ‘top of the class’, ‘first over the line’, ‘making it to the top’ and ‘rising star’. And you’ll have more of your own to add. But the back seat has it’s advantages, particularly the seat on the isle – at least have the freedom to get up and leave.
(Reposted from 2009. Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ book, 2009. Now in Clunk & Jam book, 2019.)
I dance and spin in my lovely new dress. When I turn to smile, I see empty seats. Now I rise up on tippy toes to see where they don’t want me to go. Touch the sky without a hand. Dance wrapped in velvet. Curtsy to no applause .
Footnote: this ink has many layers but essentially it’s about the need for approval. Allowing others to define who we are. And who we are being defined by another’s definition of success, value or worth. It also speaks of oppression. Serves as a reminder to hold tight to self belief. And it reveals the often undetected partner in oppression. One where silence and inaction deliver equally powerful and crushing messages of disapproval. Ultimately, it suggests that striving to be independent and self reliant may reward us with a far greater sense of achievement, and sense of self, than being who others would like us to be – endlessly performing.
See also, ‘Bags The Back Seat’, ‘Rock Star’.
(Reposted from 2009. Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book, 2009, handwriting by Mags. Now in Clunk & Jam book, 2019.)
