Poem by Martha Graham to inspire your creativity

[Tracy Anne]

This poem was passed onto me by my Mother In Law who is my art teacher/mentor (yeah lucky I have a great MNL). The words in this poem just blew me away and I found it so inspirational that I want to share it with Fourm members. Even though Martha Graham was an extraordinary creative force in the dancing world for over 70 years, these words can be applied to anything you want to achieve or create in your life. Hope you all enjoy it!


There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that
is translated through you into action and
because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.

And if you block it, it will never exist through an
other medium and will be lost. The world will not
have it. It is not your business to determine how
good it is nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares
with other expressions
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and
directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or
your work. You have to keep open and aware
directly to the urges the motivate YOU.

Keep the channel open.....
No artist is pleased......

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a
blessed unrest that keeps us marching and
makes us more alive than the others.

Poem written to Agnes de Ville
by Martha Graham (1894 - 1991)

 

[3DStudent]

Nice poem, thanks for sharing. Sounds like it's saying you can be a channel for the creative energies of the Universe. And that the Work is an ongoing process.

directly to the urges the motivate YOU.

the should be changed to that?

 

[osher]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Tracy Anne]

Nice poem, thanks for sharing. Sounds like it's saying you can be a channel for the creative energies of the Universe. And that the Work is an ongoing process.

directly to the urges the motivate YOU.

the should be changed to that?

....woopsy thanks for pointing out that typo error osher. I wonder how I can change it.

Yes a channel for the creative energies of the universe....which is available to us although the challenge is to be in the right space to let it flow naturally. When you do the results can be amazing.

 

[Tracy Anne]

Nice poem, thanks for sharing. Sounds like it's saying you can be a channel for the creative energies of the Universe. And that the Work is an ongoing process.

directly to the urges the motivate YOU.

the should be changed to that?

....woopsy thanks for pointing out that typo error osher. I wonder how I can change it.

Yes a channel for the creative energies of the universe....which is available to us although the challenge is to be in the right space to let it flow naturally. When you do the results can be amazing.

....sorry that wasnt osher.....I meant to write thanks to 3D Student! My apologies!

 

[Muxel]

Marvelous poem. I thought it captured what creativity is so well, and in ways I had not thought about. Indeed it is a dissatisfaction, an unrest, that drives the creative one!

 

[loreta]

This is a beautiful poem. Thanks to share it. Reading it it gives energy.

 

[l apprenti de forgeron]

Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing, French Marigold.

Marvelous poem. I thought it captured what creativity is so well, and in ways I had not thought about. Indeed it is a dissatisfaction, an unrest, that drives the creative one!

Yes, it is very true. Maybe dissatisfaction is a call to grow and change. The issue is to discern to which paths of learnings we should pay attention to be creative and not be fooled by false illusions and hopes, roads leading to deadly disappointments.
Feel incomplete and unfulfilled could be like a objective sign that gives us life. And perhaps life herself, the multidimensional, infinite and eternal needs some "dissatisfaction" in her souls / experiences to create forever. A satisfied light playing with dissatisfaction. As the fire of Heraclitus, creating and destroying worlds forever. Forever expanding and returning to herself, cyclically.

 

[Gary]

Lovely poem, thank you for sharing :)

There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a
blessed unrest that keeps us marching and
makes us more alive than the others.

Creative expressions can be a very healthy outlet, and sharing them can inspire, and teach others. It can be a cathartic or joyful experience I feel, depending on the intent behind it. I would say that the "blessed unrest" is a feeling alot of us encounter, when we 'know' we could share more, DO more. By not finding a creative expression, be that a poem, forum post, SOTT article etc, means as well as depriving ourselves of a natural, healing, giving opportunity - we are also depriving other folk potentially of moving up a step behind us.

I have witnessed many new art students rigid with fear when faced with a blank sheet of paper. The fear of making a mistake as they perceived it, of being judged was a big barrier to overcome. Most tutors, would encourage them to take away the 'whiteness' by colouring the background or start at the edges and move in. In others words, take small steps and let the creative juices flow thereafter.

It has taken me a while to conquer my fear of posting etc. Taking small steps from a familiar, yet stagnant position builds momentum :)

 

[Esoterica]

I have witnessed many new art students rigid with fear when faced with a blank sheet of paper. The fear of making a mistake as they perceived it, of being judged was a big barrier to overcome. Most tutors, would encourage them to take away the 'whiteness' by colouring the background or start at the edges and move in. In others words, take small steps and let the creative juices flow thereafter.

It has taken me a while to conquer my fear of posting etc. Taking small steps from a familiar, yet stagnant position builds momentum :)

This really resonates with me Anam Cara, sometimes it feels like being between a rock and a hard place, the fear of being judged for posting (saying something dumb) and the fear of not contributing enough and being judged (not doing the work).

I personally find it difficult to relate through electronic media not being into Twitter, Facebook and being an intensely private person, one is never sure who one is dealing with as you cant see 'the whites of their eyes'

 

[Gary]

This really resonates with me Anam Cara, sometimes it feels like being between a rock and a hard place, the fear of being judged for posting (saying something dumb) and the fear of not contributing enough and being judged (not doing the work).

Yes, I know what you mean Esoterica. Personally, I could trace my fear of posting for "saying something dumb" to my early 'educational' experiences. Rather than speak up in class, facing possible ridicule from teachers and/or fellow pupils - I learned it was safer to stay quiet. Upon reflection, this inability or suppression of vocal expression probably led to a developing stammer I had as a child. So, it has taken a while to develop a level of Trust here, to feel comfortable of speaking freely - as I know it is a safe place to learn. The moderators do an excellent job of providing this environment for learning/sharing/giving. Whereas I used to almost physically wince when receiving a reply, especially from the more experienced folk here, it suddenly dawned on me one day - I am here to learn, and I am receiving many lessons, some quite painful. Replies are given with sincerely and objectivity to assist our learning. I am very grateful to have found this 'compassionate school / community'.

The other fear you mentioned of being judged on here for "not contributing enough" I have felt too. The Parable of the Widows Mite means a lot to me; essentially it is about giving whatever you have. We all have something to contribute, such are our diverse experiences/skills.

So posting really is a WIN-WIN situation, as well as giving an opportunity to learn our own lessons, it invariably helps those who read them - helping those who may be on a step behind perhaps.

I personally find it difficult to relate through electronic media not being into Twitter, Facebook and being an intensely private person, one is never sure who one is dealing with as you cant see 'the whites of their eyes'.

Again, I am much happier to communicate face to face. But the reality is, we need to use this useful tool, the internet, to exchange information on the forum, to make SOTT articles available for those who are seeking unbiased news etc. Personally, I have chosen not to use Twitter or Facebook, but perhaps that will change. Although we can't see 'the whites of their eyes', we can all identify various personality types by the way they write - but essentially, the important point is to obtain clear, objective feedback - to 'network' - so as to learn our lessons and thereby be able to share with others. :)

 

[Esoterica]

Thank you Anam Cara, so good to hear how you have overcome these issues, interesting that you could relate it back to your school days, I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense as I was also from the 'keeping my head below the parapet' school of thought.

I guess it is to do with overcoming programming and working on oneself, to step outside of your comfort zone is where real progress can be made.

I am running the risk of hijacking this thread so back to French Marigold's poem the verse that resonates with me is

'It is not your business to determine how
good it is nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares
with other expressions
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and
directly, to keep the channel open.'

With that in mind I think I have been a 'disturbance in the force' for far too long, so onwards and upwards ;)

 

[Jenn]

Hi I just wanted to say Thank you so much for sharing this poem it has given me more confidence to use and practice the talent I have. I have since shown others around me because I find it so encouraging, it perfectly describes the process which can be so self-destructive sometimes.

I have witnessed many new art students rigid with fear when faced with a blank sheet of paper. The fear of making a mistake as they perceived it, of being judged was a big barrier to overcome. Most tutors, would encourage them to take away the 'whiteness' by colouring the background or start at the edges and move in. In others words, take small steps and let the creative juices flow thereafter.

I tried the method you mentioned while painting last night, taking it step-by-step and found it much more relaxing, it is definitely fear of making mistake and not being good enough, which as you have all mentioned effects all parts of our lives. You could apply the technique of 'taking small steps and letting creative juices flow' to any task at hand, which is revitalizing!! After all not using your talent is almost like saying, thanks Divine Cosmic Mind but no thanks...

 

[Tracy Anne]

Hi Thorn

Thats great that the poem inspired you. I wish that I had had that poem when I first starting painting....it was very nerve wracking and I remember that feeling of "am I good enough"? I still have it, though to a lesser degree.

After all not using your talent is almost like saying, thanks Divine Cosmic Mind but no thanks... (quote from Thorn)

Yes Thorn I agree with that statement totally. When I get an idea I think exactly like that.....and I really push myself to do it. The universe likes it and it does energise me.

My next step is to put some of my art work on the Fourm ....dont know if Im ready! ha...ha....

Also I remember that making a mistake can result in a fantastic piece of artwork or change your direction of what you are painting. As you said it can be applied to other areas in your life. We make a plan but it has to change because of a decision we have made.

 

[Jenn]

That would be brilliant (a step for you, and also for us to see your creations) if you could post some of your artwork.

Another step for me to overcome is the idea of what I think art is or should be, constantly judging 'i could do that' 'to me art is...' but in reality that's blocking the flow of other people's and my own creativity, thinking that art has to fit rules and regulations, it's so restrictive.

Also I think it links to narcissism, 'I could do that if i wanted to' but instead of taking the bull by the horns so to speak, just put it off so that you never 'fail', it's comfier to have an idea you can do something but instead of doing it, just thinking you could do it if you tried- less painful... so self importance too I guess.

Yes sometimes it's funny and fantastic to see the universe in action as you get so set on something and then something else comes up and it just reminds you you're not in control of this! That you are even blocking this by being so set-anticipation.....

Thanks again, would love to see your artwork.