The Protective Part of Every Artist and Why You Need It
Sappho’s Feet
Sappho’s Feet
Sappho’s Feet were
Big and Black
That’s a hard fact.
Dainty Feet
You can pick up
Easy to misplace
But Not Easter Island Pedals
Enrooted
Firm in Place
White
You can Erase
It’s a Blank Slate
But Not Black
Solid Firmness
No space for Your place
I imagined Sappho’s feet
Big and Black
Because She deserved That.
I wrote this poem when I became discouraged about reading of the Greek poetess, Sappho. I began to feel that she had become a blank slate for the projections of others. This is risk that every artist takes. Others begin to try to take ownership of the creation.
I saw Sappho as a woman of creative genius being used by others. So many projected their own views upon her works, you wondered where “she” was in all of this. In my mind, her work became the white statue of Sappho. Being white, this statue could be written upon and written over. The statue could moved around from one perspective to another depending on the whims of those who read and analyzed her works. So I transformed my view of Sappho from small, white statue to huge, black, solid woman. In blackness, no one could write over her words or being. With big, firm feet, no one could misplace her or her meaning.
I think a primary risk for any artist, especially writers, is others stepping in and telling us what we our own words mean. I don’t think everyone understands every written word of another person, but most of us can let it go and move on. We respect that the artist in that moment in time created what he or she did and we respect the artist’s ownership of this creation.
In every artist, a place must remain in which you honor what you have created. Protect your own meaning, even if you are the only one who understands it at all! Your creation is enough. Your meaning of your art is more than enough. Don’t let others tell you what you mean or how you should use your creativity or not use it. Your greatest gift to the world is the finding of your own voice, whatever form that may take.
I liked reading your post, Kimberly. I think fear of judgement can be the biggest killer to creativity, if only we cared so much about our own beliefs.. ‘Your meaning of art is more than enough’- a great sentiment to remember, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for these great words of support. I know in my own creations that some of my communications are not that “clear”, but we can let that hold us back as artists. Even if we are the only one who understand what we were trying to convey, it’s perfectly o.k. Good luck!
Absolutely I couldn’t agree more. What’s the point in art being a ‘visual language’ if you need to stand next to it and speak over it. It should speak for itself, or let others take from it what they want. We all have different experiences and respond to everything differently based on that at the end of the day. Keep up the positivity, it’s a lovely breath of fresh air and refreshingly contagious. Well done
Yes! I love how you bring up differences in experience, etc. We all look at things from a different perspective. It does not always have to be so black and white. thank you.
I wrote the word silence , everyone that read , oohd and aahd , disappointed later , I think I should have just written please be quiet . I do like your take of writing on and over the statue of Sappho .The struggle for understanding another’s words is infinite . While I believe what I write is my creation , in reality i understand that translations that take place through the individual readers filter.will make another creation that I never saw or imagined . I hope that all this is not just too much said . I do understand the desire to protect the meaning of your writing . I do enjoy reading your work . . Thanks for reading mine …..
Thanks for the great comment. I agree with you about the translations between the creator of a piece and those who engage with the piece in a different manner. It’s always an exciting process. I have a soft part in my heart for Sappho. Let her work simply stand withou the projections . Good luck with your writing!
Cheers and Thanks !
I couldn’t agree more. We shouldn’t let others dictate to us what our words mean or what we feel, either. Excellent post, Kimberly.
Thanks! We all have to believe in our own acts of creation.
I understand your meaning.
Do you know about Hypatia? I believe the first female philosopher and astronomer, excellent movie about her 2009 ‘Agora’
I don’t know about Hypatia, but I am looking her up today! I always appreciate your insights!
her story is a tragic one,
my friend, the history professor told me about her, we actually write (type) long long letters. It takes months to get through our letters, email doesn’t do it for us, only occasionally there is so much to think through that email doesn’t work for us
I read about Hypatia last evening. Such an inspiring figure. I want to incorporate her into an art piece soon.
thank you.
I look forward to seeing what you do and with your permission I would like to then share it with my friend who told me about Hypatia
As a writer I respect every reader’s translation. The Muse is often greater than both writer and reader, infinite in inspiration! Excellent post, thank you for sharing!
I so agree with you! The Muse works its magic in the beautiful translation between us all.