A Blank Canvas Reimagined
by Elouise
I can’t get A Blank Canvas out of my mind. Sometimes, especially with distressing or puzzling dreams, I’ve written the next scene out as I imagine it might be. But this dream was different. Here’s what I’ve written instead–
No woman is an island….
Gentle swells of water
Calls from seabirds
The sounds of waves
Lap against my ears
Tree leaves rustle
The greatest adventure of my life
In the company of others
Keeping it simple
Floating in deep waters
Singing life with my words
I’ve created small lovely creeks –
Perhaps in Eaton Canyon
Or trickling through Savannah marshes
Or tumbling alongside roads
I travel daily
Trees and shrubs overhang banks
Drip ferns and mosses
Birds flit limb to limb
Water swims over and around
Rocks, boulders, small dams
Above and beneath this ocean
of past, present and future
God’s Spirit bears my voice
on wings of music and storms
Connecting my heart with yours
Thanks to Fran Macilvey for asking about the sketch above. I wasn’t sure whether to post it. But given the direction the dream has taken, I’m happy to share it with you. If you want to know more about the sketch, click here.
Thanks to each of you for being part of my life. I wouldn’t be where I am in my journey without your inspiration and encouragement.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 10 September 2016
Sketch of me by CF at a professional retreat 1984
Telling the Truth 
So beautiful these words you’ve conjured, and love the sketch too….had a chuckle for a moment thinking oh my, Elouise is drawing porn now…..sorry, still waking up and took a bit to focus but you’ve given me my first chuckle of the day (at my own thoughts of course) and the poem, it flows like the softest wind, and I love it, truly! Excellent work my friend and shout out to the perky Miss L too💜💕
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Oh my would be right, Kim! So glad you woke up and had a good chuckle… 😊 Thanks for your lovely comment about the poem. Miss Lucy liked it, too.❤️
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I am connecting with the words in the poetry and thinking about our ups and downs on the water as we swim through life.. I was pleased to read about your reference to God’s Spirit ❤
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Hi,Christy. Yes…God’s Spirit no matter what the weather…always life giving no matter what the circumstances. Thanks for commenting.🌞
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Thanks for the mention, Elouise, I really appreciate it.
I am intrigued by the sketch, and by my reactions to it. The first was, ‘my, what presumption, for the artiste to draw this in a lecture, about you, and then give it to you!’ Presbyterianism to the fore, all righteous indignation and tight bodices.
The second, on studying the drawing in its details, is more about acceptance, and about female power. You are so much bigger than all that is around you, which feels almost incidental, as if you have unlimited power despite your flattened position.
Intriguing what people think of us, isn’t it? In all your posts, I read articulate, almost covert brilliance, afraid to shine too bright, but also confident. It seems that no matter how we try, we contain contradictions. I know I do. 🙂 xxxx
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You’re welcome! Your inquiry got me thinking….always dangerous.😊 You hit the nail on the head–it’s about female power. Accepting it, using it, letting it become visible even though it makes us (and ‘them’) uncomfortable. Your own journey has had an impact on me. It’s about our bodies and so much more!
Elouise 💕
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