I've begun with a Chumash, a compilation of the five books of Moses. Every day I choose a word or phrase that speaks to me from the text. I choose that word-seed, and strip it of its surrounding connotations, its old wineskins. I plant the word-seed in a bed, a womb, of paint, where it can emanate it's presence freely, and inspire me to grow it into pure poetry, prayer and verse on the facing page.
I began this project about a week ago, and although this is a very personal and intimate process, I've decided to share it in hopes of encouraging more of the same. I think it's important that each of us take full responsibility for what's written in our holy texts. If you choose to keep them as they are, that is your prerogative. But I do not believe in justifying crimes against peace and acts of un-love, or the injustice of silencing another's perspective based on a book that you could re-write with your own two hands if you wanted to. It does not own you. You have the freedom to re-create it.
This is the first word-seed, and the word is "flower".

What does it take for a flower to bloom?
It takes a little room.
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