We want you to take from us. We want you, at first to steal from us, because you can’t steal. You will take what we give you and you will put it in your own voice and that’s how you will find your voice. And that’s how you begin. And then one day someone will steal from you.
~Francis Ford Coppola
***
We head off into the woods. It’s dark. Ink dark. We drag in large powerful lights to blast away the darkness. But still pockets remain. We are told not to venture there. But in the dark we whisper. To survive.
We are just in case hunting. We hunt alone.
Out there are a handful of prey (or so they tell us…we are not certain of this) we must try to acquire. The tools we have or do not have are unimportant. Acquire the prey…how is not relevant.
NOW.
we run, we scatter, whispering over
The hunter who gets the most prey will be rewarded. Praise, riches and glory will be lavished upon this talented person who is able in this time of scarcity, to take control. To win and to be.
The winner.
Why?
We head off into the woods. It’s dark. Ink dark. Darker than ink. We no longer hunt. The prey are numerous we don’t need to hunt them. We take what we need when we need it.
Instead we are learning to navigate the dark. Together.
Why Not?
I am heading off into the dark. Ink dark and full of uncertainty. I am scared. I am not sure how to navigate this uncharted terrain. I know I can’t do it alone. I know I can’t remain in the artificial light any longer.
So here goes.
A Fine Balance 
[…] disruptive creativity will cause hostility. like in this quote of ~Margaret Wheatley: Of course it’s scary to give up what we know, but the abyss is where newness […]
Rich poetic capture of the evolution of seeking. I especially like your line ” we are learning to navigate the dark. Together.”
Thanks Jim, I know it was a bit obscure but was working through my feelings before I got to my thoughts.
Ok, miss bio, how come poetry? Lovely effort. I’m impressed. Renaissance gal! Need it feels dark and scary sometimes when we wonder about changing things up. It gets better- relax. As an old guy still full of passion ( thx Lord) you begin to fear risk less and innovation actually becomes easier not harder. That dark moment of panic when when you think ‘you have know idea what you are doing’ become rare occasions but remain. The only solace really is faith- that someone, like yourself, will understand and help reassure that navigation in the dark is intended only for brave souls and that maybe we are both just that… Thx
Thanks for your insightful comment Al! I think there is ebb and flow over the course of a life…I am thrilled to be at this exciting point in education when we are on he brink of so much uncertainty…ours to explore.
Your first lines stirred up a memory, though of a very different sort than your hunters. Here it is: http://atreebythestream.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/small-stones-day-25-a-memory/
Good post. I like the ending; I can make all kinds of connections to the notion of the “artificial light” that shapes so much of a teacher’s work day now.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for sharing your lovely delicate poetry with me, love the image you created! And the smell of sawdust…
Yes artificial light might work in small doses but probably not adequate to grow a thriving forest.