*Note:  The drawing was in response to a feeling I had inside me around claiming my essence as an artist.  At the time, I was working with a part that was keeping me from fully inhabiting my passion. But shortly after, I made a decision to leave my current culture and move to Mexico with Jillian and Wayne.  This triggered something in me that seemed to also be reflected in the drawing.  It took on a new meaning for me so I began to journal with the picture and this poem emerged.

My soul draws, but does not tug

It calls, it aches, it desires

To feel, express, experience, and love.

But there is a pull, a grasp,

A spaghetti pretzel of fears, doubts, and deafening critical voices

Of social, familial, and cultural conditioning

But that does not bring me closer

To what I feel I am or can be, do you see?

I am born of life and life is change

And change is risk and risk is unknown.

I feel your concern, your love, your genuine protection

Your need to encase me in bubble-wrapped isolation.

But it enslaves me, and does not save me

From a life of restless deadness, can you see?

I will need you on the next phase of my journey

Your awareness, your sight, your vision, and might.

I wish to bring you with me, not leave you behind

For without you I am reckless abandon in the shadow of the blind

That is all that I ask for you now to see
How one day we both can be fearless and free