Wow! This is such an amazing tool/exercise. I admit, it sounded confusing at first, but as I read through your instructions I came to understand the process and I can't wait to try it. And thank you for keeping the lesson short ... I can totally spare 10 minutes to mine a mountain of languages for creativity's sake.
OK - so I did it. I used the song "Me" by Paula Cole (mostly) with a little bit of "Crucify" by Tori Amos because both of these songs speak to the way we self-sabotage ourselves with unrealistic expectations. It's something that I, as an eternal perfectionist, struggle with constantly. I wound up using very little of the second song's translation because I loved the way the poem was shaping up with just the first song. Anyway ... here it is:
What Is Good?
On the bridge I walk
Err above the water
My trust I have stolen
But you cannot drown my mind
In my cave with a ring of wisdom and gold
I am my enemy
Watching me fight
The monsters I’m building
Like a mountain
I'll move on
But with wings
He asks what I love
And I am weak
For it is me
And I am the same
In my cave with a ring of wisdom and gold
I have loneliness in my mouth
Seeking salvation on rambled roads
Under stones the healers hide
My own enemy
I cross the bridge
O’er the water
Fear swimming below
But I know what is good
Thanks Hattie for this wonderful source of inspiration. I can see using this technique in my fiction writing as well <3
Oh, I love this poem! My favorite lines are probably "I am my enemy/Watching me fight" and "I have loneliness in my mouth." So glad you found it worthwhile!
Wow! This is such an amazing tool/exercise. I admit, it sounded confusing at first, but as I read through your instructions I came to understand the process and I can't wait to try it. And thank you for keeping the lesson short ... I can totally spare 10 minutes to mine a mountain of languages for creativity's sake.
OK - so I did it. I used the song "Me" by Paula Cole (mostly) with a little bit of "Crucify" by Tori Amos because both of these songs speak to the way we self-sabotage ourselves with unrealistic expectations. It's something that I, as an eternal perfectionist, struggle with constantly. I wound up using very little of the second song's translation because I loved the way the poem was shaping up with just the first song. Anyway ... here it is:
What Is Good?
On the bridge I walk
Err above the water
My trust I have stolen
But you cannot drown my mind
In my cave with a ring of wisdom and gold
I am my enemy
Watching me fight
The monsters I’m building
Like a mountain
I'll move on
But with wings
He asks what I love
And I am weak
For it is me
And I am the same
In my cave with a ring of wisdom and gold
I have loneliness in my mouth
Seeking salvation on rambled roads
Under stones the healers hide
My own enemy
I cross the bridge
O’er the water
Fear swimming below
But I know what is good
Thanks Hattie for this wonderful source of inspiration. I can see using this technique in my fiction writing as well <3
Oh, I love this poem! My favorite lines are probably "I am my enemy/Watching me fight" and "I have loneliness in my mouth." So glad you found it worthwhile!