Art, Photos, Music, some thoughts…
My father has died. I found out the night of my last post. I’m on bereavement leave right now, not looking forward to going back to work of any kind. Some family has reached out. With others, we’re out of sight-out of mind. No matter who is there though, this feels very lonely. I want closeness with those of us left, but our relationships are complicated. It doesn’t matter, but still does.
During a session I spoke about how I’ve felt like I’ve been flying above searching for a safe place to land. And as I grow tired, I’ll eventually drop from the sky to my death. This vision is what the lyrics are about. The piano arrangement came first and I sat it aside about 5 years until I finally worked it out with vocals.
I took flight a lifetime ago.
Through storm after storm and the impossible
With no question of my strength.
Survival I can’t shake, ever searching for home.
And if I reach, it will not be as I hoped.
And I will be no less here alone
Wandering loss of time.
Fail me, my wings may as well let me fall from the sky
As dim and dying light.
I only ever had the heart to try.
And if I reach, it will not be as I hoped
And I will be no less here alone.
I took flight a lifetime ago
Ever searching and searching for home.
I took flight a lifetime ago.
Ever searching for home.
My birthday came and went this year. It’s settled in just how much of an afterthought I am to others in this life. There has never been much of an effort to remember me. My 36th year will be for letting go, forgetting more, leaving behind what disturbs my soul too much and wrapping up my long term plans. We get tired of always needing a reason.
New watercolor paintings. I wanted to get back to using watercolor just for a change. I don’t control it well and feel clueless attempting the paint with it, but that is the point. Freehand paintings have a life of their own and I think watercolor goes well for when you don’t have a plan or want a plan. I just want feeling. Anything more, like making sense somehow, is nice too.
Several months it’s taken for me to understand this piece after finishing it. I see something of light and glory now weakened, wounded and burning out with nothing coming to save it. Exactly where I’ve found myself. Waiting to extinguish.
What is it like to grieve the better person you were and may have become? These songs were written while navigating a very difficult transition with much loss. I was changed in ways I wish I hadn’t been. This album is the sound of a soul healing with unsightly scars, but healing nonetheless.
Bandcamp: https://allysonmarie.bandcamp.com/album/the-taken-life
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/2Z2N5lC0L8bolkH7lAKDvK?si=clftE_6FS_S–ncBTiEtgg
“Into the woods, by the water, in the weeds.
Beneath a dark blanket of trees.
Soul is tired saving self…
Some lives here are worse than death.”
One of my trail photos. I feel welcome there most of all.
Original song mixed / mastered. My favorite from the next album of songs and so fitting for my current state and times.
Lyrics
Before stepping off the ledge,
Screams every moment was hell.
“Never give up!” didn’t save this one
If so little were enough.
The sordid goodwill of the rest.
Forget what better angel says.
Take ownership of the cruel intent.
You favor leaving all for dead.
Yes, we take what we can get.
No spill of blood carries regret.
Go too far – over your head,
But keep going. Devil knows best.
Possession – a wish for death.
Far better fit than human.
Deeper go cuts than bruises.
A use given to useless.
The sordid goodwill of the rest.
Forget what better angel says.
Take ownership of the cruel intent.
You favor leaving all for dead.
Before stepping off the ledge,
You scream every moment was hell.
“Never give up!” didn’t save this one.
So little is never enough.
The sordid goodwill of the rest.
Forget what better angel says.
Take ownership of the cruel intent.
You favor leaving all for dead.
Before stepping off the ledge,
Screams every moment was hell.
“Never give up!” didn’t save this one
So little is never enough.
I had to say goodbye to someone very important to me today. Didn’t expect it but knew I’d have to face a farewell eventually. It’s been nearly a decade and this hurts, but I dearly wish them well.
This year for me has been about wrapping up loose ends and finishing what I’ve spent enough time burdened by. A definite mission to live the way I need to in this time and space or not at all. There is enough courage for the risk. Move forward.
Allyson Marie Arts 