Fireflies

I have had an interesting relationship with editing. I like my art to feel pure, true, and in the moment. When I was younger, whatever I caught on the page in that one sitting was all I would get for that poem. I rarely made edits or changes once I left that moment. As I have gotten older and looked to put writing collections together, I have found my little red pen. But I still find myself reluctant to change too much. And to be honest, I still do not edit my photos. Either I captured it the way I wanted, or I did not.

I think this comes from the feeling I get in the moment of writing or capturing photography. It is free and playful. Like catching fireflies at dusk.

So, although when I am later crafting something, a collection, or a collage, or video montage, I dig into my more technical side, I try to keep the moment of capture pure. Almost as though it were mystical or by chance. I keep the feelings separate – crafting vs capture. One is heart focused, and one is head focused. Both I find artful and skillful, but they tap different energies in me.

As I grow, and perhaps even learn some ways of editing, I may find space for it in my creative process, but there still may be some sense of separation. As in not thinking about the edit in the capture of a poem or a photo. But maybe building out separate space and time where I refine work to make it its best, if not something completely new.

As for now, I’ll keep chasing my fireflies. Pure. True. Free.