Tuesday, February 19, 2008

For Shay

One of the best things about publishing Orange Mint and Honey is that I feel like I got to give a voice to these people I came to know and love. I actually cried for Shay (my main character) when Essence called her "talented" and "super smart." I know how much she would like that.

I'm polishing up Children of the Waters, so I'm reading poetry (it greatly helps with editing). Today, I ran across the poem "Dance in Your Blood" from Rumi and it made me think of her. So I post the last stanza for Shay:

Dance, when you're broken open.
Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.

5 comments:

Julie Kibler said...

Wow, more Timing for me with your post. :-O I love the Rumi verse.

I, personally, am still waiting to meet Shay. (C'mon Amazon, move it!) Heh.

Sherry said...

Oh yeah!!
And don't forget -- dance even if you got no rhythm, dance if you've got 2 left feet, dance if you look like a chicken, dance like no one is watching!!!!!

Lisa said...

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful character. I just love Shay. She's young, independent, driven and strong, yet she's got a vulnerability hidden down beneath the layers that makes you just want to hug her -- you'd have to earn it and make her let you of course :)

Carleen Brice said...

Julie, I think you're on to something!

Sherry, Can you dig it?

Lisa, You really get her!

Sustenance Scout said...

Carleen, I can just see Shay dancing. Love it! K.