Multitudes (Week 0, LJ Idol 20th Anniversary)

[wolfden]

I am barefoot, short hair still tousled by the breeze, running in the grass, picking dandelions.

I am smart but awkward, too much of a know-it-all, and yet always wanting to know more.

I am terrified, leaving home for the first time, not ready but going anyway.

I am “Yes ma’am, how can I help you?” “Will that be cash or charge?” “Let me get you the manager.”

I am disappointment, the white hot pain and shame of being ill, of failing to finish what I started.

I am transplanted, leaving one place and one life behind, for a new fresh start.

I am “stay-late, come-early,” “ Whatever you need, I’ll be there.”

I am cherished, cared for, full of hope, “I do.”

I am young and unprepared but capable and proud. I don’t die. A new life feeds off mine.

I am responsible for all of it, exhausted, holding everything together for young and old.

I am confined, in pain, loss surrounds me, seeking answers and finding none.

I am trapped, searching for a new path, yearning for a new choice.

I am compassion, shelter for the strays, rescuer of the wild and tame, animal and human alike. “Put the bunny back. Leave the fledgeling be.”

I am a lover, bone-weary, juggling everything, smiling through tears.

I am conflicted, one child leaving when the other arrives. “Goodnight bears…” “What time is your flight?” “...and goodnight chairs…” “I know you’re going to soar.” “ Goodnight noises everywhere.” “Text me when you get there.”

I am isolated, terrified, together alone, the world shuts down and holds its breath.

I am heartbroken, an orphan, my loss multiplied by circumstance and perfidy, tears wash my face.

I am concussed, the world shifts, parts are lost.

I am creative, artist, writer, maker of things, working hard, erasing line after line until it is right.

I am carer and caring, parent and partner, wearing weariness with love and pride.

I am convalescent, test after test, shortness of breath, cancelling trips, missing myself, longing to be made whole.

I am balance. I am chaos. I am multitudes.

Comments

[hafnia]

This is lovely! 💜

[wolfden]

Thanks.

[thephantomq]

I am conflicted, one child leaving when the other arrives. “Goodnight bears…” “What time is your flight?” “...and goodnight chairs…” “I know you’re going to soar.” “ Goodnight noises everywhere.” “Text me when you get there.”

I really loved the image this part in particular gave me. The difference between the children are so stark, and it really stuck out.

Good luck this season! <3

[wolfden]

Thank you. Good luck to you as well.

[bleodswean]

Image after image after image - great visual writing here!

[wolfden]

Thank you.

[adoptedwriter]

Hugs. Glad you’re here.

[wolfden]

Thanks.

[lapis_lazuli615]

And I am looking forward to reading more from you!

Laz

[wolfden]

Thank you.

[bsgsix]

Oh, friend, do I feel this - and how right Whitman is, that we cannot be defined by one thing, for we contain multitudes.

You are a person whose writing excites and enchants me, and I'm happy to know more about you, even when the "more" isn't always happy. But it's real, and authentic, much like you are.

I'm looking forward to more this season. And I'm glad you're here, in all your perfectly imperfect balanced chaotic multitudes. <3

[wolfden]

I am glad to see you back. Thank you.

[ofearthandstars]

I am compassion, shelter for the strays, rescuer of the wild and tame, animal and human alike. ♥

I have never forgotten how you were there for me when I was so broken. I know that time slips and years force their way in between, but I hope you know that I am here for you.

[wolfden]

I do know. Thank you. ❤️

I am glad you get to Idol again this season. It’s your fault (lol) I ever started doing this.

[ofearthandstars]

Lol, oh no! Well, in my defense it did work out because it gave me a chance to read more of your beautiful writing.

[adpazd]

Just.... wow. This was such wonderful snapshots of points through your life. Some I could visualize through my own experiences, while others I could visualize because you wrote it in a way to make it impossible to do anything else.

I can't wait to see what you bring for the rest of the competition.

[wolfden]

Thank you so much.

Good luck this season.

[chasing_silver]

I love this.

[wolfden]

Thanks.

[muchtooarrogant]

Fantastic, I loved the structure of this, and the myriad experiences it related. Really well done, and I can't wait to read more from you!

Dan

[wolfden]

Thank you so much.

I am looking forward to this season. Good luck.

[murielle]

Beautiful!
I am filled with awe and an overwhelming urge to hug. (Unused maternal instinct.)

Your user name seems so familiar. Have we crossed the Idol paths before?

With this teaser of your talent I look forward to a fantastic season of reading you. 😊
M

[wolfden]

We have crossed Idol Paths before. I have done a few seasons. Here and there.

Have a good season.

[goldmourn]

"missing myself"

yes... but I love this - you going beyond not merely containing multitudes, but you are multitudes.

[wolfden]

Thank you so much.

[miintikwa]

Wow, love it. Thanks so much!

[purplepetrichor]

I love this format!

Good luck to you this season! I’m looking forward to reading more from you!

[penpusher]

Yes, very much so. And at heart, we are recorders, living then sharing our tales of life, as only we can.

Great to have you here!

[drippedonpaper]

This is just beautiful. I especially love "I am balance, I am chaos"

<3

[humanbeansradio]

Hey there! LilMissMagic71 here, under a different name! Happy to see you again! :)

[halfshellvenus]

I liked this very much-- the contrasts, the complexities. We are all so much more than we seem.