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.

Break Over

I've taken a good, long break, but it's time to get back to blogging.

We had a wonderful Christmas with three of our four children here, along with five of the seven grands.

I can't remember what they were watching, but it was riveting!

And managed FaceTime with the Nigerian contingent.

Chili for Christmas. I may never cook a big Christmas dinner again. Simple, delicious, and fun!

This one breaking up the tomatoes!

I hurt my back on New Year's Eve, so I've begun the new year with some enforced quiet days and consistent exercising. I'll be sharing some tips for writers to maintain healthy backs in the next few posts.



I hope you have begun the new year well and wish you many productive words between now and another December!

Poetry Friday: Resolutions

I'm not making a long list of resolutions this year. Okay, I'll probably come up with a few. At least I'll take a look at what I want to achieve in the new year. But that's sort of my issue with resolutions right now. I'm not sure I want to achieve anything other than recapture my joy in my writing journey. So I have a few tentative ideas, but I don't even want to call them resolutions. Want to know why? Read on...

On New Year's Day
by Kenn Nesbitt

On New Year's Day a year ago,
I started off the year
by making resolutions
that were probably severe.

I said I'd save my money,
as this seemed so very wise.
I vowed I would improve my health.
I swore I'd exercise.

I stated I would do my homework
every single day.
I'd brush my teeth religiously
to ward off tooth decay.

I'd eat my fruits and vegetables
and keep my bedroom clean.
I'd treat my sister kindly
though she's often very mean.

My resolutions lasted me
about a half a day.
I promised I would keep them
but I broke them anyway.

So now I'm fat and penniless.
My homework's overdue.
My sister's mad. My teeth are bad.
My room is messy too.

And yet I think I may have found
the best of all solutions,
and this year I've resolved
to not make ANY resolutions.

Copyright © 2004 Kenn Nesbitt
All Rights Reserved
From www.poetry4kids.com


Julie Larios is hosting Poetry Friday over at the Drift Record.

Closing out the Old

The grandchildren have gone home. They left this morning. No more pillow fights or toys in the floor.

Fortunately they helped un-decorate and get everything Christmas back in the boxes for next year. Now on to getting myself ready for the new year. 

First challenge is reducing the piles on my desk,

  

the clutter in my office,

and weed some books from my shelves.

I hope you're having as much fun as I am!