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Friday, January 9, 2015

One Little Word for 2015




Resolution


Yes, you heard me correctly. I don't mean resolution in the sense of making promises to change my ways. I tend to break those before the end of January. I am thinking of a different meaning. My definition of choice is way down the list of possible options.
5. the act or process of resolving or separating something into constituent
or elementary parts.
6.the resulting state.
Technically, this is talking about breaking down a chemical compound, but recently I've been feeling like I'm a chemical compound that needs a little breaking down, a little figuring out. What are those constituent parts?
I also like this one:
: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something
: an answer or solution to something
So, yeah. There are a few things I'd like to see find some resolution this year. One has been a serious, ongoing case of writer's block. I think perhaps I've had a few constituent parts out of place. I'm looking forward to reclaiming my joy in putting words on paper. Another is a shoulder injury that requires patience, persistence, and balance as I pursue resolution and healing. And there are probably a few others that we won't go into at the moment!

Then, there is this one:
d : the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance
Sometimes modulating from one key to another in a musical composition requires a period of dissonance before finding resolution in the new key. I recognize that my one little word for the year may cause some periodic dissonance, but I'm willing to risk it to get to the resolution.

Composing Life

I am the motif, the rif, the repeat.

I am the counterpoint of bass, bassoon,
or brassy cacophony that drowns gentler sound.

I am the movement, at once a skipping vivace,
the next a labored largo.
I am the dance.
I am the dirge.

I am the interpretation
formed in the mind of the maestro,
the transition, the modulation, the dissonant seventh,
seeking consonance.

I am the resolution.

                     © Doraine Bennett 2015

Below is a piece called "Resolution" composed by John Coltrane and performed by Musical Art Quintet. It's fairly long. If you don't have time to listen to the whole piece, slide through to the last 45-60 seconds and enjoy.




Join Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference for the Roundup today.

12 comments:

  1. I am the dance. I am the dirge. LOVE. Wishing you resolution this year, my sweet friend! xo

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  2. I enjoyed hearing all about your own interpretation of your OLW, Dori. Dissonance into Consonance sounds like something we all should be seeking. Your poem's words show that you are reclaiming that blank page! Happy New Year!

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    1. Yes, Linda, those words on the page did feel good.

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  3. I admire you for risking periodic dissonance to get your resolution! You, go, Dori! Like Irene, "I am the dance. I am the dirge" caught my eye. Also "labored largo." Good job. :-)

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  4. I think you did a wonderful job repurposing the word "resolution," Dori. This year, I'm focused on goals rather than all-or-nothing resolutions. As I've learned from yoga, each day we "meet ourselves where we are" and do only what we are capable of on that day.

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  5. Gorgeous poem! I love your take on your word!

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  6. Moving poem, Dori! The dance/dirge lines are quite powerful.

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  7. I love hearing the resolve in this poetry. Such strength of voice! :)

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  8. LOVE this. It's so thought provoking. Thanks for your warm welcome to Poetry Friday. I've been hanging around your blog. Love it here.

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  9. What a great word! Hope you have an equally great year!

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