Inspiration

I am in the process of preparing for a trip to Ireland (my first) and am reading a variety of books to prepare myself. One of the books I've read is Climbing Brandon by Chet Raymo. In it, the author quotes a version of the Song of Amergin, traditionally credited to be the first verse written in Ireland. I've read other versions, but I like this one best so I'm going to quote it here:

"I am the wind on the sea.
I am the ocean wave.
I am the sound of the billows.
I am the seven-horned stag.
I am the hawk on the cliff.
I am the dewdrop in sunlight.
I am the fairest of flowers.
I am the raging boar.
I am the salmon in the deep pool.
I am the lake on the plain.
I am the meaning of the poem.
I am the point of the spear.
I am the god that makes fire in the head.
Who levels the mountain?
Who speaks the age of the moon?
Who has been where the sun sleeps?
Who, if not I?"

My thoughts keep returning to these lines, thinking about their meaning, two lines in particular keep coming up in my thoughts, "I am the meaning of the poem" and "I am the god that makes fire in the head." Two lines that speak to the poet, and the writer, who lives in my soul. "I am the meaning of the poem," and the reason for the poem, and the reason we have poetry, but "I am the meaning." "I am the god that makes fire in the head," Mr. Raymo says the fire in the head are our "questions that fill the mind in the darkest hours of the night... the uncertainty, the perception of mystery," but I think it is also an accurate description of inspiration, the creative spark that gives life to poetry, and music, and all art, and science, and philosophy... That creative spark that gives life to the line "I am the meaning of the poem."

Waiting (Just keep waiting, just keep waiting...)

Okay, so I said I'd be able to wait until the beginning of August to hear if they want my book. But it's the middle of July and the waiting is driving me crazy (a short drive, and no longer very scenic). I'm almost to the point where even a no would be a relief (okay, and a big disappointment, but it would be an answer). I'm working on book two, and have started working on what might end up being an entirely different series (and am cross stitching bookmarks for my relay for life group), but none of these are distracting me from the big question hanging over me. In fact, the big question is starting to distract me from everything else. Sigh.

Tuesday's Top Ten

I am trying to make regular updates to my blog, and I am trying to make the Tuesday’s Top Ten a regular feature of my blog, but life has been conspiring against me. I was going to post a list of books that aren’t about writing that have helped me with my writing, but unfortunately it is allergy season and writing that list today is just beyond me. So I’ve come up with a list that is just about all I can handle today. Top Ten Picture Books. Next week I’ll try for something a little more challenging. Wish me luck.

10) Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester
9) Little Polar Bear & the Big Balloon by Hans De Beer
8) Wait No Paint- Bruce Whatley
7) Three Little Pigs- Steven Kellogg
6) Three Little Wolves & the Big Bad Pig- Eugenios Trivizas
5) Fluffy, Scourge of the Sea- Teresa Bateman
4) Pirate Girl- Cornelia Funke
3) Bear Snores On- Karma Wilson
2) A Splendid Friend Indeed- Suzanne Bloom
1) Good Knight Sleep Tight & The Kiss That Missed – David Melling