02/27/2026
It'll come back...
That voice
from deep within.
The one
you thought forgotten,
that pulls the light
back in.
It'll find its way back...
Just give it some time.
Every season
serves a purpose
breaking barriers
within our minds.
Lead with your heart.
To thy inner-self
be kind...
~ Copyright ©️ Anna M. Ortiz 2026
Side note: {Blog}
Good morning! The sun is pouring into my library window, infusing my space with warmth. Occasionally, I can catch a glimpse of my friend's fluttering wings casting feathered shadows on the walls. I feel as though I'm being reborn these days in an older body with a mind filled with clarity for the first time.
It's been so cold. I can recall complaining that we weren't having what felt like "true Jersey winters" for a very long time. Now that it's arrived, I find myself complaining again. This time, it's too long. Are we ever happy? So many of us have been having dry spells with our creativity. It's just felt as though the words are kind of stuck. For a writer, that's almost like not being able to catch our breath.
Words are never just "words" to a writer. They're so much more. They're touch, taste, sound, feelings... Sight... They are our way of holding a hand through a world that can sometimes feel blinding and binding, saying, "Come with me. I want you to see."
Not finding the inspiration for a writer is like a painter with a set of dried-out paints. Our pallets crave color, too. Which is why, last night, I decided to make a random decision for today. As much as I need lush green grass and toasty moss beneath my bare feet, there's something far more important calling out to me. I need to go. I need to break my hibernation routine, break through the ice, and be more appreciative of this frozen season.
I'm grabbing my camera, putting on some layers, and heading to one of my favorite state parks. My soul has been collecting far too much dust, and so "dusting myself off" is a must!
A little piece of advice for today, for anyone feeling a bit "stuck." It'll come back, your voice. I find that when we try too hard, it just falls deeper and deeper into the abyss where everything turns to mist. It's a good thing mist rises...
Take all the time you need for yourself. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. You'll find your way, even if not in a day. Sometimes our pain becomes our tree house 🏡.
Happy Friday, my dears. I'm excited to get out into the woods and take some pictures. I'd almost say I love photography more than writing. When I have a camera in my hands, my mind clears, and my vision becomes a spear. When I'm looking through a camera lens, my spirit becomes hyper-focused. There's no thinking involved, no editing, just being one with nature. I find solace in that. Do something frivolous once in awhile. It's one of the best ways to refill your pallets.
All my love,
Anna.
~ ©️ Anna M. Ortiz 2026
Lost in the Background Poetry, Prose, & Blog
