Transcendental Sonnet #1331:
How Spirit Can Soar When Flesh is Not Wasted

The ideal of transcendence beckons me
To rise above the petty and commonday
Actions and distractions of humanity
Yet I ought not must not cannot turn away
From my brothers and sisters of humankind

Denying my flesh is not good for my mind
Inasmuch as I am human I have needs
Which although long denied are destined to be
Pieces of my puzzle of thoughts words and deeds

A being not only of spirit am I
Nor is it natural for my flesh to die
Unfulfilled without ever having tasted
What it is like to be in love and to see
How spirit can soar when flesh is not wasted

+Steven Curtis Lance



Copyright MMV

You will surely find love once again Steven, believe in that fact.

Nikki

Beautiul words!!

Thanks, Nikki...

They were really hitting me hard on the boards today. It's good to read some kind words here again.

I am writing another poem just now; I hope you like it too. I was afraid maybe this one wasn't any good, that I was too drained from being attacked to write well today.

Your encouragement really means something to me, my friend and fellow poet.

Respect and solidarity always.

Love,

+Stevie

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

I do like the new poem. I always get lost in what you write. I am having trouble writing much of anything right now. It upsets and haunts me. My inspiration is fleeting and I am not quite sure how to get it back. I don't want to be lost without a voice again. I don't like that at all. Perhaps it will just hit me one day as this flood did. I will just have to be patient I suppose.

Nikki

Nikki, you know something you might try? Just take a pencil and paper and start doodling at writing, just writing down whatever comes into your mind, whatever is in your heart, without putting any pressure on yourself. Tell yourself you are just sketching. If you can't think of any words, just doodle shapes and lines. Feel free to cross out, erase, smudge, make a mess of the page. Be free. Your favorite music might help. Perhaps a favorite snack. Maybe even TV in the background, perhaps with the sound turned off, with the images flickering. Or take a quick walk around the block, see if you can see the moon or some stars tonight.

Don't get freaked-out by the blank page, just play with ideas, the sounds of words; imagine it's "automatic writing," you know? A message from beyond! In this case, beyond your conscious mind. There must be something which wants to be written... just relax, have a soothing environment, and don't put any pressure on yourself. If you can doodle out just the beginning of one idea, it will all unfold like the lotus. A flow experience. But you have to not think about it. Turn off your internal editor, the little voice which is so critical. Tell it to shut up.

I hope you don't mind the advice.

I just would like to be of service to you as you are to me.

Respect and solidarity to you, my friend and fellow poet.

Love,

+Stevie

Steven,

I will surely try all of those things you suggested. I am too uptight when it comes to writing. I have never been one that could just sit there and write until my fingers bled. I was shocked that the past couple weeks the words just seemed to flow right out of me like they weren't even mine. I had such enlightenment, such inspiration. In fact, I had a muse. He is long gone, but I don't want this thing to end. The best part of all of the sadness was that I was finally writing again. Advice, I take with open arms. I am still a novice at this whole poetry thing. I may have mentioned before, not sure, I have been writing for about 15 years. My 7th grade English teacher was the one that encouraged me to write out my thoughts. She was the first and only person that seemed to care about what I had to say. This is the first time in my life that I write and people have taken notice. It feels good that this is not all in vain. I thank you for your friendship and will try to maybe not take myself so seriously, which I tend to do from time to time. I thank you for your help. I told you that it was worth it to stick around. How could you think the world would be better off without your light in it? Not the case, I can atest to that.

Nikki

You really are a good poet; I think you're doing great.

Call me up anytime here at good old Studio Lance, at (714) 289-2892, if you have any questions or need anybody to talk to.

Yeah, let's just all hang on and live. It's like walking out of a movie; it might get better, who knows?

Actually, I feel pretty good tonight. All that slammin' earlier was just lame; it doesn't even affect me anymore. I really don't care. I feel kinda sorry for those people who seem to be so unhappy, but they're so mean to me it's hard to sustain much sympathy for them. May they find peace.

I'll try to write well. I really appreciate your replies.

Personally, I listen to music, like, right now, I'm listening to The Distillers. I love really hardcore, screamin' kinda punk.

It's really cool getting to know you. I'm so glad you like it here!

Love,

+Stevie

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

a deeper read with more serious meaning. it's great to see such diversity in your repertoire.