Daily Nourishment for May 8: Undercurrents of Sorrow in Art with Guidance from Words by Nick Ripatrazone and Jessica Powers
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 35 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“Writing is real, physical work is a necessary step in becoming an author. I love the word ‘manuscript,’ because it reminds me that there is a manual component to this art form: A book is made by many hands.” - Nick Ripatrazone
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale while reading this poem by Jessica Powers.
Prompt.
Read this quote from The Habit of Poetry by Nick Ripatrazone:
“‘We need that dimension of sadness in our lives, don’t we?’ It was a statement of truth given the gentle lift of a question—a turn of syntax appropriate for a poet. Jessica Powers wrote those words in 1986, near the end of her life. She pondered how ‘the best literature and art has that undercurrent of sorrow.’ Although it was nearly a lifetime separated from her many years as a nun, Powers turned to her years in New York. There, in the bustling city, ‘I could hardly bear the beautiful music that drifted up to me from a lower apartment.’ Although delivered in prose, it is a poetic rendering: a recognition that even though beautifully alive, the world must sometimes be stilled in order for the artist to create.”
Practice.
After reading the poem and quote above, set a timer for 10 minutes and journal or take notes in response. Consider the questions below, if you like:
What do you know about church bells? What do you want to know about church bells?
What are some of your favorite sad songs?
How does your creative work help others navigate sadness or other difficult feelings?
Which art, books, music, poems, shows, films do you return to again and again to process your own sadness and other difficult feelings?
How must the world be stilled for you to create?
Want More?
Read The Habit of Poetry by Nick Ripatrazone
Return to the May 1 Daily Nourishment featuring Nick Ripatrazone.
Nick Ripatrazone is one of the workshop facilitators at this year’s Glen Workshop.
If you are attending this year’s Glen Workshop, may you find more of your people there. People who help you feel less alone in your faith. People who nourish your creative soul. If you aren’t attending the Glen Workshop this year, may you find more of your people wherever you may be.
I look forward to being at the Glen this year. I’ll be providing group spiritual direction to any participants interested in this offering. For the several days during the month of May, Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment will feature Glen Workshop facilitators and other Glen-ish people, places, and things. Enjoy!
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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