18
in other words/lcommunity
november8
2011
THE
By Lynn Berry
INKWELL
eye. For example, take notice of the range of eye
colors of the person you speak with next (we all have
This month I’m writing to all of you artists
more than one eye color). Notice the sweetness of
who have ceased creating art. We have our reasons,
the juice of the next apple you bite into. Listen and
many of them justified. Life gets busy--sometimes
reach for the furthest sounds occurring in your space.
very, very busy. I get it. It’s not like we “choose” not
Inspire yourself. When we practice using our artist’s
to create art. For some of us, the creative light within
awareness, we begin to crack away at the calcification
seems to fade into the background of our lives until
we have piled onto ourselves, and we then begin to
we no longer feel that creative force, leaving us feeling emerge and awaken----freeing ourselves to experience
somewhat numb or asleep and unconscious to the
the spice and the fullness of this rich and decadent
inspired.
thing we call life.
Fortunately, no matter how we crowd our
In her poem titled, “October,” local
lives, we can call on our creative selves anytime. It’s
resident, writer and poet, Diana Peach, exemplifies
only a practice of awareness. This is not an ideal; it’s a an intense and powerful experience of the artist’s eye
fact. For instance, it is a fact that if you are reading this and how this awareness connects us to the absolute
piece, your heart is beating; but most likely, your mind magnificence of life.
busy, disconnected from the body, you are unaware of
this fact. Now, for a moment, take a deep breath; be
still; close your eyes, and move your awareness towards October
your heart. Take only 30 seconds and listen to your
heart beating. Now feel your heart moving in your
If I drive off the road
chest and in your body. Do this now and come back
Know that I was distracted by
to finish reading.
the wilderness
If you actually took the 30 seconds or less,
Gazing for a moment at gilded
you feel differently than you did before this exercise
leaves
because you have re-connected with your heart and
Arched against jagged evergreen
your body. Similarly, artists can re-connect with their
Vine maple blazing in random rays
creative selves this easily and quickly, inspiring art
of sun
in either that moment or at a later time. You already
The woods wet, black branches
know what to do. Take moments, and I mean literally,
of the forest bending
only moments, and clear out the clutter in your mind,
Silhouetted by canopies of
and look at the universe around you with an artists
countless green
Transit Link Reopens at Westport
Columbia County Rider
Transportation and Sunset Empire
Transportation District has re-
establish bus connections at
Westport, Oregon, starting Tuesday,
November 1, 2011.
The service will run
Monday through Friday with two
trips per day. Rider pickup and
drop off in Westport is located at the
North side Bus stop on Highway 30
(just east of the Berry Patch).
Jay Flint, SETD’s new
Director stated that, “The SETD
Board of Commissioners is very
pleased to announce the return of
bus service along Highway 30 from
Warrenton to Westport, and to link
back up once again with the CC
Rider in Columbia County. This
will bring back some much needed
service to many of our east county
residents.”
“By re-opening of this
service riders can again ride from
Portland or Longview through
Columbia County to the Oregon
Coast once again,” said Janet
Wright, CCRider Director. “We are
very excited about re-opening this
service and encourage everyone to
try it out.”
For a schedule of times,
pickup points and fares riders can
contact CCRider dispatch at 503-
366-0159 or go to their website at
www.columbiacountyrider.com
. Riders can also get information
about the service from SETD’s
website at answers@ridethebus.
org or by calling 503-861-7433
(RIDE). For alerts and other
information riders can also connect
with CCRider on Twitter @rider_
cc.
Subscription Form
Vernonia’s Voice is published and distributed twice
each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
Subscription rates are $35 for one year (24 issues).
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SEND TO: Subscriptions, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064
Perhaps I beheld a quilted river of
fallen crimson and vermillion
Winding along the roadside
Or I gazed into the weave and
texture of leaves
Layers interlaced, sharp and
dense, against the sky
I glimpse fields of weed, browning
blade and drying seed
Blending into a tapestry of quiet
color before me
If I soar off the road of my life
And fail to rise
Know that my eyes brimmed with
beauty.
---------Diana Peach
---Writer’s Idea: Create a piece of art that reflects some
element of the Fall season and the human condition.
---Writer’s Tip: This month, play with descriptive
images in your thoughts, your writing, and artwork.
Write these images down somewhere, and re-visit
them to revive some creative energy or to use directly
in your work.
---Please send your original submissions to, (or if you
would like a copy of any of the published poems)
InkwellVernonia@gmail.com or by mail: PO Box 333
Vernonia, OR 97064. Please include your name and
contact information. Write—Express--Expand.
Lynn Berry holds an M.A. in English, specializing in
feminist literature and literary criticism. She has spent several
years teaching Literature, Composition, Poetry, Creative
Writing, and Critical Thinking at various school districts and
colleges, and occasionally provides writing workshops.
Vernonia’s Voice
is published twice
each month on the
2nd and 4th
Tuesday. Look for
our next issue
November 22nd.
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