Stories

November 15, 2015 - Army of ink Garden Grow

 

army of ink garden grow

How Does Your Garden Grow .

This little soldier discovered that even though the world seemed way too BIG for her – she could create a little room for herself.  And because it was just the right size, she could carry it with her so she could go all the way home wherever she went.   And because it fitted her so snugly, she had to choose very carefully who she opened up to.  And if they didn’t look after her things, they’d been shown nothing more than the door  .

Footnote:  A snail and turtle have the ability to tuck back into their shell to protect themselves – escape.   There are times when we wish we could just disappear – escape too.  Without a shell there are many other ways we can to this and so it’s good to make up your own ‘escape’ list.   And what if when we ‘escape’ we escape into things that help us feel good about ourselves.  Maybe call that list a, ‘How Does Your Garden Grow?’ list perhaps? What do you need to do to look after myself – which is not the same as selfishness by the way.  

(Reposted from 2009.  Original in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book.  Now in ‘Clunk & Jam, 2019 book)

September 30, 2015 - Army Of Ink Baring Souls

 

army of ink truth falling

baring souls text

baring souls

 

Footnote: It’s very important to be the pioneers of our own lives – and to be prospective about our possible future and future selves.  (Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book, now in Clunk & Jam 2019.  Handwriting by Mags).

August 26, 2015 - Girl Disappearing

 

 

“My self destructive side, had grown a mile wide.”

Documentary on Amy Winehouse.  The heart sinks watching this brilliant, sure footed, upright, gutsy young women disintegrate.  One question seem clear—where were all the good men?  Where were all the ‘good men’ within her management who said ‘No’ to her exploitation.  ‘No’ to the fans who wanted more when she had all but a thread of Amy left.  Said ‘No’ to the touring she was physically and mentally unfit to do.  Where were the good men in her band and in the audience who said ‘No, this is not right’ and saved her from the humiliation of being lobbed on stage only to crumble, unable to perform before adoring fans who perhaps also should have said ‘No’.  Where were the good men among the paparazzi who said, ‘No. We can’t continue to hunt her down like a pack of wild animals.’  Where were the good men (and women) who refused to buy the magazines that kept the paparazzi feeding on her.  May we learn from this to question and challenge popular culture and our part in it.   If only she could have been given the space, time and encouragement by those around her to find peace in life – and mend from all that fuelled her self destructive side.

 

May 15, 2015 - Army of Ink Sailing Still

army of ink sailing still

A time to go – place to stay.

On this particular day, something precious came to its end.  Two breaths became one.

Footnote:   A docked boat is one that has been taken out of a damaging environment for repair and restoration. It’s going nowhere right now, but it still has a place – and relevance.   Perhaps this ‘pulling up’ process is one we have to continually engage in – and make time for.   Time to restore ourselves.  To stabilise and question; ‘Where to from here?’   But the pace of life too often gets in the way.  Interrupts.  And doing ‘nothing’, taking time out for ourselves, isn’t something always viewed in a positive light.   So it’s the ‘stopping’ in the image that seems important.

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April 6, 2015 - Army of Ink Little Star

 

army of ink twinkle twinkle

Little Star .

When the lights go out I cannot see, but when I sit alone in the dark with the glow of real stars above, the warmth of the distance soothes the longing to be close.  Now, when I go out into the woods at night, it’s not a star that will grant me my wish -it will be my own candle glowing in the dark.

Footnote:   This little soldier is originally from the Rock The Boat handmade book.  Which is what often happens when you endeavor to make personal change.  Or when you tell the truth. It ‘rocks the boat’.  The small, feathery space where she sits calmly with a single lit candle might suggest a quiet, personal vigil.   One that reminds her to value herself and the small space and life she’s so painstakingly created.  A space that keeps her protected from harm – her world snugly contained.  Allows her to control when the ‘lights go out’ rather than the onset of darkness being manipulated by those around her.

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March 30, 2015 - Army of ink I Want To Get Off

 

 

DIARIES bike

STOP!  I want to get off! 

Sometimes I go around and around and around – just in case I’ve missed something.  This little girl was caught in a spin, going faster and faster fearing those waiting would lose faith in her ever finding her way.  But when she did finally get to where she was going, she realised it was she who needed the lift.  This discovery released her from the endlessness of the spin that nearly drove her mad and put the brakes on her frantic drive to continually deliver.

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