Hi all!
My name is Gary, and I used to be a regular on this list. I have a
job now working at the San Andreas Regional Center here in Central
Ca. Do to my job, and other oblagations I have to myself, (Phisical
Theripy doctors visits ect) I don't have the time
to partisapate on the list neary as much as I would like. But I lerk
ona simi regular basis, and try to keep up with all of you as much as
I can. I've been a part of this list since 95 I think, so my intro is
probably somewhere in the arkives.
So I just wanted to say congrads to you Mariana for getting in a
big-time Mag with your writing!! I've written a few things here and
there with no luck. That's why I finaly broke down and got a real
job!! HAHAHA
So to all my old friends from waaaay back, it's nice to know your
stillhanging out here To all my new friends, even though I don't say
much here these days,I hope to get toknow more of you as time goes on.
So keep it up Mariana. You goooo!!!
So my best to all here!-Gary
On Sat, 29 Jan2000, Mariana Ruybalid wrote:
> ATTENTION! Celebrate this victory with me!
>
> My poem, Body Electric, was just published in CALYX: A Journal of Art and
> Literature by Women Volume 19 No 1, Winter 1999/2000.
> It ia a victory to get published in a mainline magazine!
> Mariana Ruybalid
> PS Check out my webpage
> http://home.switchboard.com/MarianaRuybalid !
>
> Body Electric
>
> I
> .
> My body, a live wire,
> too much electricity charges through,
> power, power, power with no control.
> A muscle fires drawing left arm up, again,
> a hidden train conductor got stuck
> and goes over the same track,
> over and over. I know what I want to say,
> but my tongue is wrapped in thick felt,
> a warm blanket muffles my words
> leaving me frustrated seeing incomprehension
> in a stranger’s face. Da?
>
> I used to want to punish this wired body
> that never moved the way
> physical therapists wanted it to.
> I tried to remember to swallow
> but, concentrating on saying “perplexing”
> a blob of saliva runs down my chin.
> Never mind trying to walk,
> my right hip wants to flex
> when the left one bends,
> leaving me in a gravity defying crouch,
> for which no balance can compensate.
> After ten steps, a jolt of pain
> runs through my lower back and right hip,
> leaving me sweating, and oh so irritated!
>
> II.
>
> I go to Yoga with this live body.
> JoAnn, the teacher, reminds me to breathe.
> I giggle because I forgot again.
> Getting out of the electric wheelchair,
> I feel free and safe on the floor,
> I cannot fall because I’m already down.
> I cannot get any lower.
> From all fours, I straighten legs,
> I rise to downward facing dog,
> an upside down V,
> stretching my lower back.
> JoAnn, using belt around hips,
> pulls back weight to my heels.
> Sandbag on hands
> outweigh hidden train conductor’s
> control of old patterns.
> My shoulders extend
> with controlled power
> I actually feel graceful
> Stretched muscles get weary.
> I lower myself down.
>
> Later in rest pose,
> I lie down on my back and
> place feet on chair with knees bent
> to avoid right hip problem,
> arms spread, palms up,
> I remember to breathe
> as tired muscles grow quiet.
> I enjoy the paradox:
> a powerful woman
> with a disability.
> Electric flow slows.
> I lie still.
>
>
>
>
>
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