Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

We set out early towards Damascus,

feeling the gravel underfoot,

and then journeyed westward to Tennessee.

A captivating sky, hidden behind a thick canopy,

sparked conversations—his name, mine.

Further west, the elements of wood and stone

seemed to resonate with my spirit;

she knows my truth.

Not merely for the stars,

but for the stories we share,

we engage passionately.

This piece marks the first poem I’ve composed

in response to a prompt since my college creative writing days,

which feels like a lifetime ago.

During the writing process, my wife, Gus the dog,

and I were adventuring in our Airstream

in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

While I often excel in memoirs and personal essays,

I sometimes wonder if I should only stick to those genres.

My poetry isn’t stellar, and my fiction is quite basic.

So why venture into this?

I’m an advocate for holistic health,

which I interpret as encompassing all dimensions of well-being:

physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual.

I believe that health arises from a blend of suffering and recovery,

leading to personal growth.

Consider the traditional fitness regimen:

lifting weights (suffering), resting (recovery),

and ultimately gaining strength (growth).

A crucial aspect is engaging in a variety of activities.

While I excel at cycling and could do it daily,

I struggle with mobility and flexibility.

Instead of shying away from practices like yoga,

I choose to embrace them.

I may not be cover material for a yoga magazine,

but stepping outside my comfort zone is essential for my health.

Now, what about social wellness?

Suppose I were introverted (which I’m not, but I can be shy).

What does social fitness entail?

Socializing with family might come naturally,

but pushing my boundaries could mean attending a networking event (suffering).

Spending time alone in nature (recovery)

might lead to making a new friend from that event (growth).

I apply this philosophy to my writing as well.

Memoir writing flows easily for me,

but stepping outside my comfort zone involves

crafting a poem from a prompt (suffering)

and experiencing new adventures to inspire my writing (recovery).

This process ultimately enhances my skills as a writer (growth).

The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs

A captivating exploration of the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, highlighting its significance and cultural impact.

Chapter 2: Embracing New Experiences

Passion Play 2024 - Saturday

An engaging overview of the Passion Play for 2024, showcasing the events and experiences planned for the audience.

Author's Note: This poem and story combination is part of a series I am developing exclusively for Dancing Elephants Press (DEP). I am particularly thankful to DEP for providing a platform to showcase this unique blend of writing. As shared in the narrative, it pushes me beyond my comfort zone. DEP has recently launched a new Substack Magazine—be sure to check it out!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Wishing health, happiness, kindness, and respect

to all beings and all things.

— Andrew

✍ — Published by Dr. Gabriella Korosi at Dancing Elephants Press. For submission guidelines, click here.