Paper Bricks for Pages Blank

On By Michele LeeIn nature, Verse, writing
Dog-eared corners
and worn spines
on thousands
I’ve stepped

One after another
a path of books
created a foundation
for me to
explore, learn, and connect

Along a path
of paper bricks
I’ve stepped

Into valleys
that attempt to turn
lost souls into prisoners
the words of others did
comfort and protect

Across stages
where dark robes flowed
above countless pages
devoured then turned
for those distinctions, earned

Along a path
of paper bricks
I invited others to join me

Some walked beside
some I pulled
others I carried
until that chapter ended

I exchanged
the sure footing
of paper bricks
for the uncertainty
of pages blank

A consumer and reader
of books
I will always be
but the paper bricks
that once rooted my path
now dance, twirl, and flow through me

After spending five days surrounded by Denver’s winter brown, I needed to feast on color. I found it, yesterday late afternoon, along a desert trail. The Sonoran Desert is vibrant with color this time of year, made more so by the rains we’ve had. Temps were near perfect for hiking (60 degrees F./15.5 C.). The strong chilly winds made it feel like 50 degrees. 🥶😆 I enjoyed every minute of the blustery day – Sunday is expected to be in the 90s. 😢 Thanks for visiting and reading. Be well. 🌵 Michele

If you have a few minutes to spare and you’re not familiar, I encourage you to give this song, Sometimes I by Rising Appalachia, a listen. The lyrics are beautiful. 🎶

Photos: my images, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Arizona

© 2023 MyInspiredLife

89 thoughts on “Paper Bricks for Pages Blank”

  1. A beautiful reminder, Michele, that our paper friends are in a class by themselves. I turn to look at my bound friends on the shelves lining the wall. I smile. They smile back, in their cosmic patience with my inadequate connection with them. When it finally happens, they do not complain. They open themselves up to me as a dear friend would and we proceed from there. A few really old friends maintain their words exactly as printed many decades ago, yet the messages and their impacts on me are not the same; as I have aged, their wisdom shifting accordingly. Sort of magical, isn’t it? Bordering on wisdom, I would say. How fortunate that we have such friends.

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    1. It is magical, Al and your insightful shares are greatly appreciated. 🙏🏻Books have offered me many things through the years, and sometimes demanded great things of me too. I will always be a reader, but I’ve greatly enjoyed the last three years… writing my own words and putting down the books to step into life. ✨

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      1. Al Bell

        Yes, the “demand” sides of the equation are important, too. They build mind muscle where it might otherwise go missing. I am so glad you have been able to share what your voice wants to say–and that I get to hear it.

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    1. Your affirming words show an awareness of my journey. Thank you very much for that, Terveen. 🙏🏻I am glad you enjoyed my photos – I thoroughly enjoyed my quiet time on the mountain. Just one afternoon spent there, until the next time. 😁

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    1. Thank you, Pat. 🙏🏻 I imagined all the books I’ve read lined up like a bridge, leading me to where I am now. All the authors, supporting my journey with their words. I am so grateful to them, for the many lessons learned. It feels good to put down the books and experience more of life. ✨

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  9. Michele my Belle, only you can make “paper bricks” sound so scholastic and magical! ✨🔮🎆 So my dear, as a reader and consumer of books, fill up those blank pages, before the sagebrush rolls in for the kill! LOL 🤣😝😂 You look like you had a delightful stroll through the paths of solitude!!! 🚶🏻‍♀️🌵🚶🏻‍♀️ I have a feeling those paper bricks are about to hit a brick wall!!! 🧱🧱🧱 Love this post of creativity my dear! 😍💖🥰

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    1. haha 🤓 I went through a few variations before I landed on “brick.” Didn’t hurt at all. 🙃 Punny and funny you! 🙌🏻😂 If the sagebrush doesn’t get you the Jumping Cholla will! 🌵 I had a wonderful time, strolling in solitude (minus a few hikers). 😊 Just another brick in the wall… Thank you very much, Kymbelina. 🌻 Congratulations on your poetry book making it to a university bookshelf! 👏🏻 Fantastic!

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      1. Awww, thanks so much my Dancing Queen. Being included in these libraries is more than I imagined. I am tickled pink, purple, and red! 🎀💜🎈 I appreciate your lightheartedness and humor. But girlfriend, just the mere mention of the “Jumping Cholla” makes me feel like I am being stuck with pins all over my body. UGH! 😝 But girlfriend, we have our share of nasty, prickly vegetation besides rose thorns, and they are the yucca trees I have in the backyard. I am able to snip the tips off though, but they are super painful to say the least! 😩

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      2. You are welcome. 😊 You deserve to be tickled proud! 📚💖 Prickly pins, indeed! I’ve never actually experienced that myself, but I’ve seen others suffer the wrath of that jumping cactus. Can ruin a perfectly good day! ☹️ Roses, yucca plants, lemon trees… beautiful plants with great weapons of defense!

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  11. Your painted desert, and the books that you’ve read – libraries of life, blooming bright up ahead. Be well, Michele, in all your flights – of desert trails, and mountain heights. I love your poetry & photography, dear friend ~ thanks for sharing. 🌞🌹

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    1. “Libraries of life” – lovely phrase! Thank you, Phil, for that and your other poetic thoughts. Life can be an unpredictable journey – it is enjoyable to capture beautiful scenes and share evolving thoughts. It is my joy to create and share – maybe add some color to someone’s day. 😊🙏🏻

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    1. haha La, la, la, la, la, la 🎶

      Wonderful! I love the flowers; the cacti I respect from a distance. 😁 I do appreciate the uniqueness of the Saguaro cacti and the visual of a landscape scattered with hundreds of them – no two alike. 🌵 Thank you!

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    1. It seems I have been for a few years. 😁 It is a delightful journey that continues to grow in authenticity and richness. 💖Like you, I will continue to treasure well-written books, but I am enjoying making space for movement and experience. ✨ Thank you, Brad.

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  16. Wonderful poem written by you dear friend ‘Paper Bricks for pages Blank’ Sometimes the deepest love
    unspoken and inspiring truth is that !! Photos of beautiful nature with your photo precious 🥰 the audio
    Song is awesome and sweet voice 🌹👏😊 You are a great Author✍️ and All The Best wishes 🌹🙏🥰

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    1. I am grateful for your support of my creative endeavors. I thought of your recently framed art collage when I was out yesterday… the mountainside of saguaro. 🌵 The strong wind almost blew me off the mountaintop. Kept me on my toes. haha At some point over the next few weeks, I will share more photos from yesterday along with your art. 😊

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      1. Your posts take me to your world. They are so beautifully eloquent and thoughtfully crafted with eye to every aspect of the story. I like the detailing that you so elegantly portray. ❤️

        Thank you 🤗

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      2. So honored to have you join me. 🙏🏻 We write poetry because our souls need to speak. Your talent and respect and understanding of the process are revered gifts for me. Thank you for sharing your heart and elevating this poetic experience. 💗

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      3. I am glad because something I love has brought me to you. Poetry has been a defining and cementing factor in our understanding of each other’s work. My poetic experience has been taken to another dimension because of your talent.

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  23. What a wonderful poem! I love books, I have 3-4 on the go at any one time. I remember reading a lot as a child and my son, thankfully, has also taken on that habit. Books are the doorways to many worlds and I can’t imagine a world without them. The photo is lovely as is the music! Enjoy your Easter weekend Michele!

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    1. Thank you! I am energized by your words and connection to my post. 🙏🏻I understand. Can’t have just one book going! 😁 Reading calms my mind at night. Like you, I was a voracious young reader. I was introduced to the classics by an incredible middle school teacher. I read as many as I could get my hands on. 🙌🏻 Thanks a million for listening to the song – a wonderful complement to my mountain mindset. Lots more photos to share from there. 🏜️ Have a beautiful weekend. 🌄

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  31. Pingback: Closer to the Sun – My Inspired Life

  32. I love the way this has me thinking about the ways in which I changed when I went from reader to writer and how my view of pages never was the same again. Truly those pages are with us writers and the words ever present within us. ❤

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