the girl who owns the world

Jars Jars Jars (found art) 

I found this when I was practicing a slam poem at school where the artist’s studios are. It was in the summer, about two, three years ago.  I was practicing my poem for a slam that was the next day. The area was deserted in the early summer, so it became a perfect place to loudly recite poetry about girls that I could never do at home (can still never do at home).

The slam was at the Werx a gay bar in Hamilton. When I left school, I got an email that said the event was cancelled, the bar was closed. I was devastated in the way that you are when you are excited, and anticipating something to happen. Still, somehow it felt like it was meant to happen. 

Anyways, when I was practicing my poem, I scrambled through the recycling bins to try and grab a sheet of paper to write bullet points of my poem. This always helps me memorize things easier. 

And, I found this strange piece of paper torn out of a sketchbook about jars and collecting, even hoarding too many things. It happens when you’re artistic, people will save things for you. My grandmother always saved me cookie tins, and baskets. 

I spent the whole day unhoarding my room, and decluttering everything. I got rid of easily over 25 pounds of books. I feel lighter, I feel more open to accepting not just new projects, but new people. This week I am going to make some craft kits of my left-over art supplies. Paper, scraps, old clippings from magazines. It is hard to get rid of these pieces of paper and collaging supplies, but when I give them away for free, people are so happy. 

People I have given these craft kits to have been over-joyed to receive something I have grown tired, and annoyed with because of all the room it takes up in my life. 

I still can’t get rid of this piece of paper though, and I have some things I cling to. I know I will archive it all someday, or someone will archive it all someday.