Monday, November 28, 2005

The Dumbbell Nebula

Do you think if I hold myself still enough, go inside far enough, that I might fly out past the stars to the dumbbell nebula?

I wouldn’t mind if I had to leave my body here. But could I take my mind, and my mind’s eye, and my ability to feel? Just for once I’d like to see for real the things I see in photographs—the things that even this imagination can’t spread wide enough to grasp.

I just know that if I could float around the Milky Way, my hands, my heart would understand it. If I saw just one black hole, I’d know the cause of fear. Laying in the cradle of the dumbbell nebula, I would feel the pain of every child in the universe. If I could see a star be born, I’m certain I’d be wise. For I would be in the presence of the heart of God. I want to bring that knowledge back to give to everyone.

I hear fears when people talk and see sadness in their eyes. In my dreams we’re whole again. I take them in my arms and tell them everything’s all right. That’s why I walk alone at night and look up at the sky. That’s why I write these stories so they’ll remember how to be a child.

There seems to be so much light waiting up beyond the stars, so much potential there. If I could find a way to touch it, I could share it here.
—me strauss Letting me be

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Liz,
you have such an amazing heart and soul, your writing, and you, are beautiful (hugs)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Thanks. mergrl,
I wanted to say something special tonight. It's been very quiet this weekend.
smiles,
liz

Anonymous said...

My feelings exactly. It would be a fantastic voyage, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

It reminds me of a song--but, then again, what doesn't?

Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Lane,
It would be a fantastic vouage wouldn't it? If I figure out how to go, I'll bring you with.
smiles,
liz

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Patrick,
How nice to have you singing to me so early this morning. This writing gig has it's payoffs after all. Thank you.
Liz

Anonymous said...

That would be one amazing trip! Sometimes if I close my eyes and let reality disappear I can't catch a glimps of it all...but it never last quite long enough.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Good morning, Jennifer,
Here's your juice, I got it on Jupiter. Hope you like it. The trip was grand and quite enlightening.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Awesome imagry...
But wait..are you talking about me (re: dumbell nebula)? I mean, I fixed the problem with my comments over at my blog, thanks to you...

Seriously though, some days I feel like a colassal dumbell, several light years in diameter...

Anonymous said...

Man! This is the best tasting juice I've ever had from another planet. It's like a mix of a little orange, some pinapple, possible mango and some unknown sparkling substance that makes the imagination run wild. Thank you so much for sharing.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Sharin? I got it for you.
Take it with to work.
Just don't say where you got it.
Can't have a bunch of architects bothering me. :)
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! Aren't I special :)

I'll bring you something back from my next trip...where ever it might be. I was thinking a trip to the darkest parts of the ocean. I swear there's a secret unknown life that goes on down there in the dark where you can only use your imagination because you're eyes don't work.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey Jennifer,
That sounds fantastic! In every sense of the word . . .
Smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

And that same light is relfected deep in our hearts, if we care to open up our armor and let it shine. ghl

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Garnet,
You are so right, because people and stars are made of the same stuff. Only stars don't get jealous when another star shines.

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

I can stare at photos of nebulae all day long. I hope crossed eyes can pass for wisdom.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Doug, in your case, cf course they do.

You are wise if your eyes are closed, open, crossed, or in back of you.

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Liz, please tell me you have a mean streak somewhere.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Doug,
I can't tell you that.
But I could point you to some people who'd be happy to.
smiles,
Liz

Trée said...

Liz, can I borrow your imagination. Promise to return it soon. Wonderful essay. Is there room for me and my chair on this journey. :-)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Tree,
Of course you can borrow it. But I think it's big enough and still growing, so I could just give you a piece and you could have it to keep. Either way works for me. And yes the chair is light and you always welcome.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's amazing. Very touching and so so deep!

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Thanks Dawn,

It was a fun trip to take in my mind.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

I’m thinking that I would enjoy going along with you on your walks at night.

I’m thinking it would be a pleasure to actually talk with you.

I’m also thinking that you are a sincerely kind, generous and caring person, with mega amounts of creativity.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Lori,
Talking!
Gosh yeah, wouldn't that be fun!
Imagine all of the things we would have to talk about. I bet we'd go through a case of wine or something before we came up for air. Cool.
Everyone to Chicago this spring.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Dumbbell is such an inappropriate name. It reminds me of the old quip at school...well? dumbbell!

The Barbell Nebula has a much better ring to it.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Cube,
Nice to see you around here again.
Yeah, I would have named it the Barbell too. But they didn't call me. Can you believe that?

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Ah, jealousy, I've been thinking about it, and noticing it's little tentacles tickling me when I least expect it. They grow fast don't they.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Sweet man,
I don't see any tentacles near you. You are a kind and generous soul who worries sonetimes. You are a blessing is what you are.
Me? I just miss you sometimes

smiles,
liz

Tell No One said...

I've only read this now for the first time. I didn't go backwards when I first came here.
How ironic we are who we are. I didn't realize just how close are hearts were but I'll bet you did :)
I will share my words with you, the ones I wrote by hand when I realized what I was to do and where I was to go. Though they are clumsy, I know they'll make you smile and I know you'll feel them.

Katrina

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hello Katrina,
I know our hearts are very close and I can't wait to read what you tell about.

MafiaHairdresser.com said...

This Blog needs to be a book. I could survive anything. I could accept the good that comes my way. I could keep the wonder and divine gift of connection I feel to my fellow man--all from reading Liz.