"Some days, the walking paths were a sea of sharp, clustered umbrellas, each fighting for the space to exist. Other days, threatening obstructions would jump into her path, breaking the consistent and predictable flow of human foot traffic. An asynchronous workman, a woman pulling heaps of newspapers, even a missing brick…colour blocks of yellow and grey as well as negative space…expected patterns were broken in her brain." Brilliant. You capture the experience of walking along a street in Hong Kong so well! I'm visiting there next week, so reading this was a good warm up. 😊
Reading how Ivy creates her little safe space, ritual of cooking, the need to feel safe, I thought, she is going to observe from her little safe space, and two lines later she's the observer. It's great when prose flows like this. And re: plants... they die, they always die.
I love how Ivy's mind and body move through the city as if there is no separation between her and it. You paint these images so beautifully while continuing to steer the narrative of her coping with loss. Lovely.
Dec 9, 2023·edited Dec 9, 2023Liked by Dr. Kathleen Waller
“She would leave feeling lighter, alone but one with the world.” - Wisdom of the day! I love looking at people. It is indeed like observing portraits and paintings coming alive. Everyone is so interesting and unique.
Yes, I'll echo other people's comments about leaning out the window. "A part of the painting, like a portraitist who includes themselves in the corner." Love that image - observing the bustle of a city can be as meditative as sitting in nature.
"...the undulations near your collarbone can mend a relationship if someone takes the time to touch them." Sublime 🥰
I echo all the sentiments expressed here in the comments. As a reader, you really embody Ivy and the motions and routine she is giving in to. Another moving continuation of Ivy's story.
"Some days, the walking paths were a sea of sharp, clustered umbrellas, each fighting for the space to exist. Other days, threatening obstructions would jump into her path, breaking the consistent and predictable flow of human foot traffic. An asynchronous workman, a woman pulling heaps of newspapers, even a missing brick…colour blocks of yellow and grey as well as negative space…expected patterns were broken in her brain." Brilliant. You capture the experience of walking along a street in Hong Kong so well! I'm visiting there next week, so reading this was a good warm up. 😊
So great to hear when my vision of HK resonates with yours! I'm so jealous you are going soon! Have a wonderful time.
Thank you!
Reading how Ivy creates her little safe space, ritual of cooking, the need to feel safe, I thought, she is going to observe from her little safe space, and two lines later she's the observer. It's great when prose flows like this. And re: plants... they die, they always die.
My plants die 😂
Thanks for the comment, Alexander! Very cool that it was flowing like that there.
I love how Ivy's mind and body move through the city as if there is no separation between her and it. You paint these images so beautifully while continuing to steer the narrative of her coping with loss. Lovely.
Thanks so much, Ben. So fun to investigate the city in this way ☺️
“She would leave feeling lighter, alone but one with the world.” - Wisdom of the day! I love looking at people. It is indeed like observing portraits and paintings coming alive. Everyone is so interesting and unique.
I just went to see a portrait show and felt the same 🤗 so much to learn by observation! Thanks Nadia.
That sounds so cool! I hope you had a lovely time.
“They practice dying. They practice dying every time they take savasana at the end of the practice.” - This part echoed in my soul!
Yeah, same. I had to stop and pause from those words.
Thanks so much, Corie 🙏🏽 the crossroads with my other project!
Love this one, Kate!
Thanks Mike! ☺️
Yes, I'll echo other people's comments about leaning out the window. "A part of the painting, like a portraitist who includes themselves in the corner." Love that image - observing the bustle of a city can be as meditative as sitting in nature.
Thanks Troy 💜 agree there is a lot of natural in urban that is sometimes invisible if we just see the transportation and large buildings.
"...the undulations near your collarbone can mend a relationship if someone takes the time to touch them." Sublime 🥰
I echo all the sentiments expressed here in the comments. As a reader, you really embody Ivy and the motions and routine she is giving in to. Another moving continuation of Ivy's story.
Thanks Nathan ☺️
I liked that line, too! Maybe I should have said clavicle. Good word.
Hehe, clavicle is an excellent word. Certainly not used enough in everyday life 😄