Thursday, January 26, 2012

Adrenaline

Cracks the stem,
removes breath
in waves of red,
nerves unpinch.
The cherry breaks
concrete thought,
loosens the band,
releases grip.


And so I attempt poetry again (don't laugh). As the tendon in my hand and wrist slowly heals (yes, it's a long, long journey), I've been going to great lengths to assist the natural process that will restore strength, and I wanted to share what's been working for me. Adrenaline, when focused properly helps, as does diet and meditation.

The first thing I've been doing is focusing my breath. One exercise I've found especially useful is the sixty second breath in which I sit comfortably and inhale slowly for twenty seconds, hold for twenty seconds, then exhale for twenty seconds. This exercise is a meditation in of itself.

I have also been  taking a variety of herbal and vitamin supplements that are said to help strengthen the tendons or reduce inflamation:
Tumeric
Cardamom
Glucosomine and Chondroitin
Vitamin B Complex

More: I've eliminated artifical sweeteners from my diet which is harder than it sounds because food manufacturing companies sneak Splenda and the like into a lot of products so that they can market processed foods as "healthy alternatives". Anyway, the point of this is that I've gone to great lengths to modify diet, along with a regimen of stretching, hand exercises, and ice/heat treatments. And, I've read that artificial sweeteners can actually build up in the joints. I don't want to take any chances.

I'm not sure which or if it all has helped, but, for what it's worth, the combination has done the trick. I'm on the mend. In fact, I'll be writing like a mad woman again soon. One thing I've learned about pain, in the meantime, is that it can be trumped. I've learned to see pain as a sort of blockage that can be loosened with perseverence and, more, patience. 


Sunday, January 8, 2012

2012: Literary Foursomes

A resolution I forgot to add: Get with the times, and collaborate more. So far, so good.

My first publication of 2012 is all about the collaborative nature of modern literature. Thanks to Meg Tuite, who contributed, edited and masterminded this beautiful anthology.

Each story in here is written by four authors, and there are lots of stories. So, 4 * Lots + Duces = 37 individual authors. Good authors. So many good authors I won't list them all.  Let's just say, some wild word concoctions in here. 

Chapbook release

"As our children walked in circles, their children shook their heads and made their way toward another life; new ghosts remained. And w...