Page One
When the first printing press
Burst into existence
All metal and mortgage
The storytellers found themselves naked
Robbed of the word on their lips.
The Mongols learned from the Greeks
Who learned from the Egyptians
Who learned from the ink that is
Life’s blood and the
Papyrus shoots that
Shape the womb of the Nile.
The world turned to the divine
As in art
As in one form of
Universal language.
Photo by Scott Webb
Susi Bocks
Wonderful writing, Jaya! You’ve captured the evolution of thought and expression so well! <3
Infinite Living
Magical & Splendid!
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
This is such an interesting piece Jaya! The advent of the printing press did take away a lot from of traditional storytellers and I love how you’ve depicted that here!
Jeff Flesch
This poem speaks to me of the power and universality of the language of the heart. For, we are all truly of one heart. Gorgeous write, Jaya! ❤️
Jodie | That Happy Reader
Words can be so powerful as you’ve demonstrated here Jaya. Thanks for sharing.
Her Digital Coffee
What a lovely piece! I love that it references Egypt.The imagery is so beautiful. As always, touching work Jaya!
Lauren
This is such a well written piece Jaya! A great relatable post for writers. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren x
Cindy Georgakas
Hey Jaya, I know I’ll love it but when I click on… it’s not there?
💖 do tell…
Jaya Avendel
Sorry to be foolish about this, but what is not there?
Cindy Georgakas
Not at all when I went on the site nothing else was on there? I will try again. 💖💖
A Sustainably Simple Life
I love the printed word so much that I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to think about what it was like when the printing press came onto the scene. “Metal and mortgage” has such a cumbersome feel to it and I’m thinking how I feel taken on a journey when listening to spoken word. I’ll still be grateful for words in print, but this was a fun flip of perspective for me 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Love the way this poem evoked so much in you. Thank you for sharing!!
Ebitimi Creates
I had to research a few words to fully understand😅 and as always Jaya, you have used your words magically.
Jacqui Murray
What a clever way to discuss the printing press. It did damage the art of storytelling, didn’t it.
Deeksha Bhardwaj
A powerful and profound piece, Jaya👌🏼✨
hanmorris97
What a great piece of poetry, truly thought provoking. Thank you for sharing xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
Michele Lee
This is gorgeous, Jaya! You have accomplished many things with this piece. 👏🏻 I watched a movie last night that focused on how important language is to a culture and the ever-changing nature of language, including disappearing languages. Your poem, with the brilliant conclusion, reminded me of that.
Jaya Avendel
I love that this came to you are such a perfect time! This piece took quite some time to name, but it and the narrative were inspired by a book I happened to chance across about the origins of writing in the context of art. 🥰
Michele Lee
Perfect timing, yes. I love when that happens! Maybe it took longer to name because it is so special, it had to be just right. A wonderful inspiration. 🥰
D. Wallace Peach
Lovely, Jaya. I can’t resist poetry about the power of ink. 🙂
Daphny Aqua
I love the art that is well crafted into words in this one, it blend in so well with picture of art taken. 💖
Eugenia
This is absolutely beautiful, Jaya! Spilling our ink brings magic into lives.
Jaya Avendel
How right you are, Eugenia!
Eugenia
❤️
Stephanie
This is absolutely my favorite piece that you’ve shared so far! As a writer myself, it spoke to me. Beautifully written as always!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Stephanie!
Gabriela Marie Milton
Beautiful piece Jaya.
Jenny in Neverland
Wow, beautiful. This really captures the power of words.
paeansunplugged
From the spoken to the written word..you traversed through ages with a poet’s eyes.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Punam!
gemmaajaynee
Again your wonderful and beautiful way with words has encaptivated me. I love how I felt the connectivity. It is always brilliant how writing can be interpreted differently by different people and I love that.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Gemma!
readandreviewit1
This is such a wonderful piece! I love the theme of everyone being connected through poetry and language, that’s such an important idea. Thank you so much for sharing x
Ingrid
Wonderful! I remember learning about Caxton and the first English printing press, and how Tindall produced the first printed Bible in English…
Jaya Avendel
Love that this reminded you of that earlier learning experience!
Lisa's Notebook
A beautiful poem to remind us of the power and magic of words to shape our lives, Jaya. Sad for the storytellers but the advent of the printing press has brought the written word to so many more of us. Love the “metal and mortgage” phrase!
Jaya Avendel
That is one of my favorite lines, Lisa! 😘
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Ink as life blood is a metaphor that strikes me and that is imprinted like a tattoo on my skin.
Jaya Avendel
How gorgeously you say this, Claudia!
Lamittan Minsah
This is a wonderful memory about how the whole idea of writing started. Now at least we can write often and share knowledge more.
Ananda
You are a sorceress, spellbinding us with your words ❤
Jaya Avendel
Thank you deeply, Ananda!
jahnavigouri13
That was really a powerful and touching piece! Loved and enjoyed reading this!👏🏻👏🏻
Dominic Alapat
Your poem reminds us that poetry is born in magic!
K.Hartless
Beautiful. You remind us what the printed word is capable of: birth, love, and universal connectivity. 👏🏼👏🏼
barbaraleaver
A thought provoking piece. I felt the storytellers fear of losing their voice.