Jocelyn, your beautiful writing moved my heart in an unexpected way. Your gorgeous concrete details brought me to a place of longing of remembering when hours on the beach were all about just being, not about the surfing, or the swimming, just being. I really need this in my life right now so thank you for this gift.
Hello, friend. Thank you for the lovely, kind words, and as always for sharing your heart and how something I wrote moved you. I love knowing this brought back memories of just being with water and sand, with out bodies in nature. I've been thinking of you a lot lately. Just this morning on my run I was thinking about the great distances you run, the scenery, how you run in the heat of a So Cal summer, how you've had to learn a whole new life these past six months. I was also thinking about something you said in your writing about slowing your pace as you age, and letting that be okay. It's hot here now and humid, and I have to go so slowly, but it's meditative and there is something sacred about being in that space of slowness. I'm so glad to hear from you today, friend. ♥️🙏
I just love hearing that - I'm getting the idea that maybe the focus of my writing wants to be continually more on place and what it teaches me about the world and myself. And thank you for being one of the reasons I feel safe sharing my process. xoxox
What a beautiful piece! I love how you’ve captured the essence of the original, made it your own. The imagery, it was so clear to me. I love the whole section on girls who should be careful - oh the memories of life then. And being a tomboy then suddenly, dramatically not being a tomboy. Loved it. Thank you for sharing it unedited. I love seeing the raw essence of a piece and then how it can be changed later. Sometimes recognisable, sometimes not. It’s wonderful! Isn’t writing amazing?
Writing is so amazing, Karen! Thank for the lovely closer read. And this, "being a tomboy then suddenly, dramatically not being a tomboy." YES. Such a clear line of realizing what are bodies are capable of, what they draw to us, what we are gifted (and burdened) with.
I was partly interested because I’ve done one of Jeannine’s intensives recently and produced a poem which is my favourite yet, so I understand completely that feeling. I love closely reading the pieces she shares and then producing my own imitation of it. It’s good, like you say, to study these masters and figure out how they did it. I relate so much to this even though the experiences aren’t exactly the same as mine, and I didn’t grow up in a town, I moved far too much to say I grew up anywhere! I think that’s a sign of a really great piece.
Oh how fabulous. Did you publish the poem on Substack somewhere I could read it? I know, the way she shares and invites us to investigate form and function and mystery and play of language is powerful.
And you saying you relate to this piece, even though you moved so much you didn't grow up anywhere - wow, that means so much to me and it helps me know that I'm getting to the essence, the visceral-ness, of a thing. Thank you thank you for sharing that with me. ❤️
Brought me right back to my own teenage shenanigans shoulder-tapping at a little liquor store on the west side by the boardwalk. Everything about this prose is so juicy and delicious. It brought me home.
Best concert I’ve ever seen was Branford Marsalis playing in a quartet, I mean, just the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen in my life. How to get that good? Jazz and reading and writing go hand in hand for me, so I’m with you. I admit though I don’t know the trumpeter you mention so I’ll be listening to something new tomorrow morning with my coffee.
You already know how I feel about this writing of yours 💜
And apparently—I knew he toured with Marsalis—Sting toured with both of them in the 90s. Bring on the Night (Branford) and All This Time (Botti) are both great albums, too.
I knew Botti toured with other musicians, didn't know about Marsalis. Wow what a show that would have been. I did know about Sting. I used to love him as a teenager and 20 something.
Jocelyn, your beautiful writing moved my heart in an unexpected way. Your gorgeous concrete details brought me to a place of longing of remembering when hours on the beach were all about just being, not about the surfing, or the swimming, just being. I really need this in my life right now so thank you for this gift.
Hello, friend. Thank you for the lovely, kind words, and as always for sharing your heart and how something I wrote moved you. I love knowing this brought back memories of just being with water and sand, with out bodies in nature. I've been thinking of you a lot lately. Just this morning on my run I was thinking about the great distances you run, the scenery, how you run in the heat of a So Cal summer, how you've had to learn a whole new life these past six months. I was also thinking about something you said in your writing about slowing your pace as you age, and letting that be okay. It's hot here now and humid, and I have to go so slowly, but it's meditative and there is something sacred about being in that space of slowness. I'm so glad to hear from you today, friend. ♥️🙏
Exquisite Jocelyn! Your details paint the picture of this place so beautifully, I am there. And your last sentence - just wow, WOW!
I swear I replied to this. I think sometimes when I do it on my phone it doesn't take. Anyway, thank you!! thank you!! xo
You’re not crazy, you did! I also posted this response on your WITD post 😊
Ahhhh, okay! I'm so glad you clarified that for me! xoxoxo
There is something lovely about the process of creativity, thank you for sharing yours! Your love for the place oozes out of your writing. ❤️
I just love hearing that - I'm getting the idea that maybe the focus of my writing wants to be continually more on place and what it teaches me about the world and myself. And thank you for being one of the reasons I feel safe sharing my process. xoxox
❤️❤️❤️
What a beautiful piece! I love how you’ve captured the essence of the original, made it your own. The imagery, it was so clear to me. I love the whole section on girls who should be careful - oh the memories of life then. And being a tomboy then suddenly, dramatically not being a tomboy. Loved it. Thank you for sharing it unedited. I love seeing the raw essence of a piece and then how it can be changed later. Sometimes recognisable, sometimes not. It’s wonderful! Isn’t writing amazing?
Writing is so amazing, Karen! Thank for the lovely closer read. And this, "being a tomboy then suddenly, dramatically not being a tomboy." YES. Such a clear line of realizing what are bodies are capable of, what they draw to us, what we are gifted (and burdened) with.
I was partly interested because I’ve done one of Jeannine’s intensives recently and produced a poem which is my favourite yet, so I understand completely that feeling. I love closely reading the pieces she shares and then producing my own imitation of it. It’s good, like you say, to study these masters and figure out how they did it. I relate so much to this even though the experiences aren’t exactly the same as mine, and I didn’t grow up in a town, I moved far too much to say I grew up anywhere! I think that’s a sign of a really great piece.
Oh how fabulous. Did you publish the poem on Substack somewhere I could read it? I know, the way she shares and invites us to investigate form and function and mystery and play of language is powerful.
And you saying you relate to this piece, even though you moved so much you didn't grow up anywhere - wow, that means so much to me and it helps me know that I'm getting to the essence, the visceral-ness, of a thing. Thank you thank you for sharing that with me. ❤️
I haven’t but only because I’d like to get it published somewhere, that’s how proud of it I am 😁 maybe one day I will!
I definitely think you are, so well done! I loved it.
Thank you for saying so and I totally get keeping it for traditional publishing!
Brought me right back to my own teenage shenanigans shoulder-tapping at a little liquor store on the west side by the boardwalk. Everything about this prose is so juicy and delicious. It brought me home.
Wheee. I love that. "It brought me home" what a sacred thing for writing to do. Love you love you. ❤️❤️❤️
Best concert I’ve ever seen was Branford Marsalis playing in a quartet, I mean, just the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen in my life. How to get that good? Jazz and reading and writing go hand in hand for me, so I’m with you. I admit though I don’t know the trumpeter you mention so I’ll be listening to something new tomorrow morning with my coffee.
You already know how I feel about this writing of yours 💜
You make my heart happy. ❤️ Branford and that whole family. Sigh. Such magic. Oooh ooh oooh. I love anything Chris Botti does, but try When I Fall in Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJheZYZTVmE or Someone to Watch Over Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJHuTBevuIs or anything from his Night Sessions Album.
And me too: Jazz and reading (or really anything) go hand in hand. xoxoxo
And apparently—I knew he toured with Marsalis—Sting toured with both of them in the 90s. Bring on the Night (Branford) and All This Time (Botti) are both great albums, too.
I knew Botti toured with other musicians, didn't know about Marsalis. Wow what a show that would have been. I did know about Sting. I used to love him as a teenager and 20 something.
Santa Cruz/ Capitola ….perfect as written.🥰🙏🏽
Yes!! My heart home for sure. And I love that you recognize it!! ❤️❤️❤️
That town is intertwined in our hearts and our souls
It is my sweet, it truly is. ❤️❤️