Happy November, Dear Ones! I have decided to try and do NaNo WriMo this month— after a three year hiatus. For me, it is a nudge and a community to encourage me to write more every day. I'll be drafting poems, working on revisions to some longer works-in-progress, and maybe writing some posts for my Medium page. Being a “NaNo Rebel,” in other words. What are you doing to keep yourself moving as this year glides to a close?

Today’s draft comes from early hotel room mornings and the unique challenges of drinking coffee while your cat tries to settle in your lap.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedHolding a steaming cup above her shoulder out of reach of her anxious Familiarwho purrs and scratches at her legs -- claws through thin pajama pants -- she breathes in sharply through her nosekeeping still in the dark-light morning.The cat settles, paws crossed,watching the sliver underneath the blackout blinds for signs of day.She sighs into the worn sofa cushion,drinks her bitter thin coffee,wishes for another hour to rest in sweet oblivion.

Art Supports Art

The best creative advice I ever heard was from Karim Nagi, talking to a room full of dancers. He said the best way an artist can support their art is to go and take in other art forms. Go to a museum. See a theater show. Listen to a brilliant symphony. Play.

This is why I love DANCEMandala. Immersing in music and movement supports my writing. And the deep meditative exploration helps me find new connections among images, ideas, emotions, and language. I’ll be offering regular sessions to support the writers of NaNo. I will also be offering regular sessions (at least twice a month) to all paid subscribers of this newsletter. I’ll be sending out November dates this week. Your support makes this all possible.