On Becoming: You

Creating, growing, and becoming. A poem encouraging the act of creation within each of us.

Okra by Jody Crowley, painted with acrylics on wood in 2023. Sold.

Did you know that okra plants flowered?

This painting is of one of the most surprising flowers I’ve painted. Before I stumbled across a picture of this flower, I’d only known okra as a seed pod used in soups. I had no idea that it flowered so beautifully.

By asking a few questions and learning about plants (or people, or places, or things), you find surprises that inspire you to create. Inspiration for the artist sometimes works like that.

Surprised, you write about it, or paint it, and it becomes a memory rather than something you forget.

Like the Okra painting, a writing moment surprised me too.

In December, a poem literally wrestled me out of sleep, and I posted it as a Note before I started my day. Be Budding suggested that it was a message from the universe. And that idea stayed with me.

Here is the short poem that woke me:

Becoming

Beloved,
Besotted and bemused,

You.
You are becoming.

Don’t rush the clock
where both hands
point down down.

Bask
in this task
before you.

Watch as you
transform.

---

When a piece of art, or a poem in this case, is born in a short amount of time, I wrestle with the idea that it is complete. Especially when it’s also this short. The idea that it isn’t finished and needs more work keeps cycling through my mind.

And this poem kept coming back. My revision went in a different direction than expected, and perhaps became an even more pointed message from above.

Last month I joined Kimberly Phinney for Poetry University #7, and we were asked to write a gentle blessing for 2026.

What came out of the writing prompt was a new take on this original poem. With a few more edits, this expanded version is where I landed.

Becoming: You

My Darling,
Sit with me.

I woke you
not long ago.

From a deep,
and blessed sleep
to remind you
of the task ahead.

In it, you are to bask,
with no questions asked.

Your daily work
is for me.

And this 
commission.

It is for us both,
as it is your time.

You have grown
to a place of hope.

Found in the quiet
stillness of your mind.

It is needed
to succeed.

Stay here
with me.

Commune
and attune.

Be deep 
in thought,
with the beat
of your heart.

Ignore the clock
when hands point down

You will ripen
as they rise.

You'll sweeten
ever so.

Your spirit.
Lovely, as you grow.

Words and images
transform.

Newly molded,
to be enjoyed.

You are called
to creation.

And, I am besotted,
with who you will become.

---

If this message resonates with you, or you think anyone else needs to hear these words, please share them far and wide. Those of us who struggle to find time to do our creative work need encouragement like this.

---

This was a great writing session for me because it reminded me to be gentle with myself and not set deadlines that I cannot meet. I will continue to grow and ‘become’ as long as I stick with it and keep myself working at a reasonable pace.

What does becoming mean to you?

I’ve recently been thinking about what becoming means. I see it as an aspect of growth. And growth can differ depending on your goals. It seems that sometimes the definition gets mixed up with numbers.

For me, when I talk about wanting to grow, I mean personal evolution. Honing my skills, improving my art, my writing, and my poetry. I am most interested in developing my writing by writing. Becoming a better painter by painting.

I’m trying to stay in the zone, working steadily and naturally at the pace that keeps me in it. If I overextend, I could stumble and lose my flow. Being aware of when and where to spend creative energy is an incredible gift to yourself, don’t you think?

Thank you for joining me as I continue my journey. I will continue to ask questions, bring you my unique work, and hope to leave you wanting more...

Recent posts you may enjoy:

The Peace of Winter Snow

For Now, All Is Quiet

BTW, do you love to sew?

If you liked my Okra painting above, check out my Spoonflower fabric collection inspired by it!

Available for sale on Spoonflower. Want another background color? Send me a message! If you use it to make couch cushions (or something more fun), I’d love to see—please share a pic!