Francesca Woodman, Untitled, Boulder, Colorado, 1972-1975
The Padded Pool
Birthed from merciful brine
and a primal language of silence.
Deprivation soon realized as enduring loss,
the warmth of weighted water gave freely
as a harbor for emotions: sad and very sad.
“…she didn’t do a lot more for you than give birth to you. In case you’re wondering, we—the family—were always aware of this, but there wasn’t much we could do…”
— Anon
Two Feet – “I Feel Like I’m Drowning”
Copyright © 2018 Mia Pharaoh. All rights reserved.
Copper Cranes 
Good start of week great friend. Much love to you 💙 Cheers, xo
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Dearest Soul, thank you. 💖💝 Wishing you a great week as well. Love you. xo
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Love you ❤️ Soul, xo
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Less is more, PM. Perfect. I wish that song was one I wrote. It, like your words are genius. ~ JGC
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Doc JGC, I’m so glad you think, “less is more”, does that ever ring true?! I love the complicated simplicity and double meanings, in the lyric. Thank you, wishing you a terrific start to your week. ~ PM
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Enchanting, darkly deep… I loved it all, your words in combination with the song, and the FW-image.
Thank you for enriching my realm, dear Mia.
❤ Elisa
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Thank you very much for a lovely comment, dear Elisa. Francesca still holds her power of creativity, such an inspiration. Be well in your realm. ~ Mia 💖
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❤
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In a foetal predisposition
awaiting the dam to break.
A brooding composition,
Mia, Swan of the Lake.
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Hey David! Indeed, I am Swan of the Lake (although Francesca was Swan No. 1), on a cracked and dry lake bed very much waiting for the dam to break. Your comments are always the best, and bring a smile along with a chuckle, thank you! Wishing you a great week. ~ Mia
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Mia, as always …
I’m your little Daffy Duck.
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Perfect, Mia!
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Thank you, Tim!
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Excellent, Mia. Some of us are nurtured, some of us ignored and some of us are resented. The Woodman photo is the perfect accompaniment. I hope the week is off to a good start regardless of the mood of the poem, my friend! 💗
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Hi Meg, thank you. I agree with nurtured, ignored and resented, I wonder what Betty would say about that? I know she couldn’t live with anyone who wasn’t making art, oh god what a creep she was. I’m starting to believe any one of Francesca’s photos could and can produce a narrative. Likewise, I hope your week is off to a good start. Thank you again, my friend. 💖
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You are right about Betty. Grrr. And Francesca’s photography, too. They are —to use a cliche but accurately— the picture saying a thousand words. It would be an interesting challenge to take some of her work and craft a story around the images. Have a great Tuesday, Mia! 💗
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Meg, I think it would be very interesting and unfold to reveal a chilling and haunting story, heartbreaking, yet possibly quite beautiful. Thank you, have a great Tuesday too! 💖
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Just about to take the grand kids swimming – going to try to breath! Don’t know what it is about the song but it took me way back to my late teens – probably out of my depth as usual!
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Eric, I hope you had a wonderful time swimming with your grandchildren. I think it’s terrific when music brings back memories, I’m glad the song was able to do that. Please enjoy the rest of your week, and thank you for your comment. ~ Mia
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Good write. Good song. Wish you a beautiful week Mia. Welcome back.
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Hi Andrew, I want to ask, do you prefer Drew? Thank you for your comment and the welcome back, delighted you liked the music. Not back-back, probably more so scattered here and there, and definitely more there than here right now. Likewise, wishing you a beautiful week. ~ Mia
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Thank you MIa. Whichever you prefer. Andrew or Drew. A scattered you is better than nothing.
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You’re welcome, Andrew, and thank you for saying that!
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A daunting and dark piece that stirs the mind.
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Thank you, Eugenia. I’m very pleased to read that. Wishing you well, please enjoy the week as it unfolds. ~ Mia
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Hugely evocative, Mia. A fine poem.
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Dear Chris, thank you. I don’t believe Francesca ever produced an image that didn’t move the viewer in some way. I think her work is brilliant and she’s always my go to for inspiration. Wishing you well, please enjoy your week. ~ Mia
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I agree – and I wish you the same.
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I’m always happy to see a post from you in my reader. This is very well put together. Amazing photo, fine work on the poem and that quote is so matter of fact.
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Hi Stories, thank you for the really nice comment. Hope your week is going well. ~ Mia
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Well, that was fast! The four elements together–the photo, poem, quote, and music–blend together to make something special.
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Hi Greg! I think I was hit with some of these ideas immediately when I misread what I thought was a “padded pool”, haha. For me it’s a challenge to build a post around an idea and see where it takes me, ain’t no sunshine here, laughing. Thank you so much for your comment and encouragement with the title and the song. I hope you and your gang had a great weekend and the new week has gotten off to a good start. ~ Mia
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An excellent post Mia.
Awesome writing, as always.
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Dear Alan, thank you so very much for your lovely comment. Hope your week is a good one. ~ Mia
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Mia, there or here, doesn’t matter much, it’s all somewhere… I enjoyed your poem, it had me thinking about how fragile creatives are. Doing what writers, musicians, and other creative artists do takes a great deal of confidence. For some, it can be tough. Unfortunately, too much for too many. Be well. -Chris
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Hey Chris, thank you. I think “fragile” comes with the territory, maybe when you put so much out there, there’s not that much reserve left to be resilient. Have a good Tuesday! ~ Mia
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A compelling presentation Mia. The photo perfectly reflected her mind, so young to be in darkness. To me your poem describes a choice-less event that for so many becomes the beginning of a loveless life. Stay cool this sizzling summer Mia *hugs*
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Hi Hector! Thank you for such an insightful comment. Francesca’s photos capture so much more than just a an image. Thank you, I hope you’re able to do the same, stay cool. ~ Mia 💖
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Only a few can write a poem that lingers so long, not leaving the mind, transforming the day.
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Thank you for your comment. I enjoy lingering thoughts too. I can ruminate about something I’ve read or watched for days!
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