I'm the middle child
a leo
one of three girls
who tends to see grey
instead of black and white
~~
I believe in love
no matter where it comes from
lesbian
gay
straight
why do we need titles
?
we're all the same
~~
I grew up going to church
but I don't attend one now regularly
and
I believe in a god that might not be the same as your god
but I believe all of our prayers are heard
~~
beautiful skin color
fascinates me with my own jealousy
along with perfectly slanted eyes or an afro or an accent that forces me to concentrate on your lips when you speak
~~
I like life
outside the box
where I can make new footprints instead of walking in those that belong to others
~~
children and babies
stop me in my tracks
as I always need a second look at the innocence and beauty only they possess
~~
a field of wild flowers
can take my breath away
along with a whisper in my ear or a warm hand on my back
~~
half of my summer clothes haven't been worn this summer
but the rest of them have truly been lived in and if you wanted my favorite shirt
I'd give it to you
~~
I get up every morning with the attitude that today will not be wasted or forgotten or ruined by little things that need to be ignored or filled with ugly words or thoughts that make me think staying in bed would have been a better option
~~
I hug
often
here in my middle place
*
Your writing and illustration with the clothespins are fascinating and beautiful...wow!
ReplyDeletebeth, you are a beautiful human being. i too am a middle child; one of three girls. i have a strong belief in god, although people who dont know me well may think that i am not particularly religious - i believe faith is a personal thing and not one to be flaunted. my skin in brown and english not being my native language is spoken with an accent - which i wish i can get rid of. like you, i too can give away clothes and other material things in an instant.
ReplyDeleteBeth this is really a lovely read today. But, that's why I love coming here.
ReplyDeleteTo Kamana: Please don't wish for your English to be spoken without your accent. It is what makes you, you to us. With your brown skin and all the other parts of you, it is what makes you the only Kamana that there is. And, she's a wonder, just as we all are.
this is beautiful, my friend. and i am so honored to know some of these things about you, through friendship. ; )
ReplyDeletebeautiful, beautiful shot beth!!!
ReplyDeleteWith your words and images, you have such a beautiful way of welcoming people to your soul. And what a wonderful soul it is.
ReplyDeleteTHIS is the kind of empathetic embrace of humanity in all our diversity, originality, uniqueness, specialness, FABULOUSNESS that needs to be distilled into a vaccine and given as free dosages on street corners worldwide. Welcoming differences with such a poetic soul-filled heart and eye is the necessary beginning antidote to racism, discrimination, cultural division ... [Kamana, I'm 100% in agreement with Holly: accents are SPECTACULAR. And when I was in England I loved that I (ME) was the one considered having the accent!!!]
ReplyDeleteReading this has given me a really fresh outlook on 'life' this morning. It's lovely, so simple, so vivid.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
This middle place is a lovely place, no wonder a beautiful heart such as your resides there...
ReplyDelete:-)
(((hugs))),
love,
me
This is a sweet, loving post, Beth. So wonderful to see the inner you in this word for that we out here may know you. :o)
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Lovey. And if you'd give me some feedback on my post today, I'd be ever so grateful.
ReplyDeleteVisiting your blog daily is like taking in a deep breath of fresh cleansing air!
ReplyDeleteBeth you are a beautiful soul. I am the middle of 3 girls, have always lived outside the box, I am happy in my middle world too. To Kamana, to me there is nothing sexier than an accent, plus it makes you you. Take care.
ReplyDeleteand this is why i have come to appreciate you as much as i have.
ReplyDeleteyour photo would be hanging on a special wall in my home if it was a print that i could buy.
This is a fabulous self-portrait, and all the things you include are all the reasons why I just wish you were my local friend as well as my online one!
ReplyDeleteA good post to remember that it isn't what's on the outside, it's what comes from the inside...love it!
ReplyDeleteAhmmm...your middle place is so beautiful. I am so very very glad you share it so openly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this moment, beautiful, beautiful beth.
The clothespin picture is stunning. so is your writing. THANK YOU
ReplyDeletebeautiful image and beautiful words..
ReplyDeleteI'm the oldest...but dwell in the middle...
~love~
I think the middle place is a beautiful place to be...
ReplyDeleteSometimes your posts take my breath away...and today was one of those days...
I am near the top of the heap ... the 2nd of 7 but I feel so akin to your words that if that describes "the middle place" then I reside there too. Thank you for opening up and revealing yourself and putting this into words and bravely sending it out into this blogoshere. I can't imagine that there is a soul reading this that doesn't want to move in next door!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts and feelings, beautifully expressed in words and image (as always!)
ReplyDeleteoh..
ReplyDeletethat would me me...
catching my....
breath...
hugs...
elk
Beth, you make me want to be a better person. I believe in a little self-improvement every day. My motto (one of them) is: Do Good, Feel Good. Got that from Gretchen at the Happiness Project. I'm also teaching it to my grandson, hopefully by example. Thanks for the lovely post.
ReplyDeletebeautiful, beautiful, beautiful, so very beautiful you are!
ReplyDeleteif only you could teach everyone to be just like you, the world would be an even more amazing place...
i am in pa.... home, not home... does that make any sense? it does. ;)
xo
beth, this photo is amazing. i have a huge collection of my own clothesline photos. it really gets me. and then your writing. oh I am typeless. nuff said
ReplyDeleteeeek, this picture of yours is one of my favs! way to rock the DOF. your words really resonate with me. thanks for such a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo, love it!!!! REALLY!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love getting to know more about you!
Great post!
Perfect picture with the words
Shell
A lovely, introspective post that lets us see more of you. Beautiful shot of the clothes pegs. I'm going to go and jump for all the good things happening in my life right now. Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeletelove the shallow depth of field...makes this shot so special
ReplyDeleteanother great capture. i love reading and learning more about you. your words are truly captivating.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteThose pegs are timeless and the words are pretty good too!