LJI Week 2: My Mount Rushmore

[alycewilson]

Images of myself from April 2017, April, July and October 2018, becoming gradually more fit

Fourteen years, sculptors blasted and chipped,
suspended by rope. Four faces
emerged, blocky. Imperfect. Then, finally,
sculpted complete. At first, envisioned
as waist-deep portraits, their final form
became faces only. Faces hewn
into granite, formed by slow
crystallization of magma
beneath the earth's surface.

For fourteen months -- or more -- I've chipped
away my own granite body. My magma-formed
slow crystallization of eating emotion.
Imperfect. Blocky at first, but
gradually more sculpted. Chiseled forms
emerging from face to waist. Forming
a final portrait, suspended between
my vision and hope.

- October 14, 2018

This is my entry for LJ Idol, with the prompt "My Mount Rushmore."

Comments

[static_abyss]

Great piece and congratulations on what you have achieved. As someone who has gone through a similar journey, I always felt like it was important to acknowledge the victories.

[adoptedwriter]

Great work!

[nayanawrites]

Wow ... that is no small achievement ... As for me I have always been to lazy to fight battles with weight or be inspired to work to a healthy lifestyle. And I have always been in awe of people who work that extra inch ....

Well Done ... Keep going till you achiever your target !!!

[reidharriscooper]

I enjoyed the approach with this poetry.
As someone who constantly chips away then finds new rocks and chips away again and again I feel the sculpting is never finished. A constant process of building and rebuilding. Not seeking perfection, but still an imperfection I can always been happy with. Hey Mount Rushmore has had remodeling or clean up itself a few times.

[jenwithapen]

LOOK AT YOU, DARLIN'! This is HUGE progress and should be celebrated far and wide!!

Now, that aside, I LOVVVE LOOOOVEEE LOOOVVEEE what you've done here! "Chipped away at my granite body," she says! It's pretty brilliant! =D What a great take!

[the_eternal_overthinker]

Lovely and so inspiring! I loved what you did here and poetry is no mean feat..Great job! Kudos!

[bleodswean]

You look FANTASTIC! What an inspired response to the prompt!

[fausts_dream]

Well done. (In all respects)

[dmousey]

Nice! This was really cool in how you tied everything together. What are you doing for fitness (I'm envious since I'm not very ambulatory)? Lifting weights?

[rayaso]

I loved the poem and your photographs. I am glad you continue to improve your fitness. Gradual improvement may sometimes try your patience, but I suspect it will be more long lasting.

[sorchawench]

Good job on the health...and the prompt. Now, can I buy some motivation for myself? LOL

[halfshellvenus]

This is really good progress for these 14 months, and that has to be encouraging!

a final portrait, suspended between
my vision and hope.
I liked this finally line-- and image-- very much.

[bewize]

You look great! What a good take on the prompt.

[bsgsix]

It's an impressive journey, and one I've been following with you for a long time. I know what it feels like to reach the goal, and to feel strength and power as you get there. And I see pride in your stance and face. I'm glad. You deserve this, and you've worked for it.

I love this take on the prompt. This is wonderful. *hugs*

[megatronix]

Wonderful word choices, and wonderful work on your fitness goals too - that's awesome! I'm on the never ending ups and downs of my own fitness cycle, and am gratefully heading in a good direction these days.

[flipflop_diva]

You can definitely see the improvement! That's awesome!! It's such hard work so huge props to you.

Also I love the poem, especially "I've chipped away my own granite body." Great use of the prompt!

[vik_thor]

congrats!
Hope you are feeling better physically!

[tatdatcm]

Really love this line: "My magma-formed slow crystallization of eating emotion."

It sums up how I feel about my weight gain over the years. I too am trying to chip away. I wish you luck and acceptance of the beauty you are as well as the beauty you are working to become.

[song_of_thea]

This is beautiful.

[murielle]

Yay you! Way to go! Congratulations! I know intimately of this struggle, so well done Alyce!

And well done with the prompt!

Fantastic!