1940s French advertising cards featuring illustrations of keys from various museums. From left, a clef en fer (key of iron) encrusted in gold with the names and titles of the Sultans of the Mamelouks, Egyptian, 14th century from the Musee du Louvre. The brown key is 16th-century German from the Musee de Dresde. The gold Clef de St-Hubert (at right) is from the Eglise Ste-Croix a Liege, 16th-century. The green key is "Gallo-Romaine" in bronze, discovered in the region of St-Bertrand-de-Comminges. It is currently on display at the Musee de Comminges. The blue key is 14th-century French, now on display at the Musee de Florence.
For the One Deep Breath prompt "process/craft," a series of haiku that should be read as one poem:
You talk about craft
but no magical mantras
persistence is key
Unlocking visions
beyond what is apparent
pay close attention
Dare to speak the truth:
another prefers silence;
each finds his own way
Words reflect knife's edge
joy, pain, sorrow multiplied
condensed in poems
Above all else, write:
keep striving; chances are good
you'll carve your own path
While the road ahead
remains hard, one understands
maps fashioned with words
Fragments of prayer
snatched from thin air and transformed
poetry for all
key is the prayer! beautiful sentiments Tara!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 27 January 2007 at 09:25
"persistence is key"
My goodness, I needed to hear that this week. Thanks for some inspiring haiku.
Posted by: G | 25 January 2007 at 23:03
"Maps fashioned with words..."
MMMMMmmmm....I *love* that! Brilliant poem. Love, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 25 January 2007 at 02:27
No magical mantras? But your haiku is just that...
Posted by: Novel Nymph | 24 January 2007 at 22:33
Lovely series! keep up the hard work!
Posted by: cloudscome | 24 January 2007 at 16:19
yes, nice work especially -
"You talk about craft
but no magical mantras
persistence is key"
Posted by: qazse | 24 January 2007 at 04:46
The whole collection was an inspiration to read. I especially loved "but no magical mantras persistence is key". Have a great week.
Posted by: Jone | 24 January 2007 at 04:02
True words about writing and life in general, Tara!
My favorite lines are these:
"keep striving; chances are good
you'll carve your own path"
Superb!
Posted by: Becca | 24 January 2007 at 03:33
Maps fashioned with words-- I really like that. The whole post is an inspiration.
Posted by: Sandy | 23 January 2007 at 22:37
You're very inspirational! Your haiku is so encouraging - motivating us, your readers, to continue carving our path. Love it! Thank you!!
Posted by: Madeline | 23 January 2007 at 22:27
They're all delightful, but the second one really spoke to me, I like that it expresses the insight one needs, but also to look beyond what we think we see. Very nice ku's!
Posted by: Get Zapped | 23 January 2007 at 21:11
You talk about craft
but no magical mantras
persistence is key
O-ho! For sure! Well put.
Would it be possible for me to use the photo at some time on one of my blogs? I think it might be perfect for my Tarot blog, as the Majors in the decks are often called keys. :-)
Posted by: Roswila (a/k/a Patricia) | 23 January 2007 at 20:32
"fragments of prayer" was a very cool thought. Your poem rocked! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 23 January 2007 at 19:48
This post intrigued me...I had a dream two nights ago about keys, that I thought I'd lost a key, but found it, and it was one of those big, metal, old-fashioned keys.
Maybe you've interpreted the dream for me: "persistence is the key"!!
xox
Posted by: Colette | 23 January 2007 at 18:41
"chances are good you'll carve your own path"
isn't that the truth? no one else is going to do it for you!
great poem.
Posted by: ally bean | 23 January 2007 at 17:40
your words are always so beautiful:)
TAG Your IT!
see my blog for details and play along if you wish:) xoxoxoxox
Posted by: amy | 23 January 2007 at 17:27
just wonderful Tara! you inspire me xo
Posted by: miss*R | 23 January 2007 at 10:00
I agree - the pairing of the keys and the prose is soooo.. mysterious and beautiful. And I would like the second Donna's comment. You do such a wonderful job of sharing your beautiful world with us. It really brightens my day. And that deserves a word of thanks more than just once.
So if I haven't said it before - thank you.
Posted by: Holli | 23 January 2007 at 09:46
I really like "above all else write," etc. too. Nice stuff.
Posted by: sarala | 23 January 2007 at 05:43
I ~LoVe~ your written words and I appreciate you sharing all your treasure finds with us! thank you Tara! hugs NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 23 January 2007 at 05:31
I really enjoyed your "keys". I love French antiques. I am a sucker for all of the old antique chandelier illustrations. Do you unearth most of your treasures in Paris?
Posted by: robin | 23 January 2007 at 03:03
Tara,
Those keys are magnificent and are the perfect lead in to your haiku series.
"Above all else, write:
keep striving; chances are good
you'll carve your own path"
Thank you,
rel
Posted by: rel | 23 January 2007 at 02:28
Amazing, beautiful - each complete, yet seamlessly belonging with the others. Made me a bit verklempt, they did.
The keys are wonderful, too - some kind of powerful key mojo must be afoot in the Universe lately.
Posted by: Neasa | 22 January 2007 at 21:13
i love these haiku. very beautiful.
Posted by: leonie | 22 January 2007 at 21:11
Very wise thoughts!
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 22 January 2007 at 20:43
This was beautiful... each stanza really spoke to me. Thanks, Tara...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 22 January 2007 at 20:40
What a beautiful series of connected yet individual thoughts making a marvelous whole.
Posted by: annieelf | 22 January 2007 at 19:47
I don't know how you find the time to find these treasures, never mind share them with us, but I am eternally grateful.
Posted by: Donna | 22 January 2007 at 19:25
Beautiful craft and prose Paris. Thanks for working so hard at sharing your world. :)
Posted by: Brian | 22 January 2007 at 18:26
How Wonderful! Thank you!
Posted by: footpad | 22 January 2007 at 17:32
So clever and true...I love the key analogy (and cards!).
Posted by: susan | 22 January 2007 at 17:11