There are stories about unraveling. There are stories about six hour overnight bus rides.
There are stories about escaping.There are stories about being lost in transition. There are stories about wilderness retreats.There are stories about spiraling back to childhood. There are stories about waking up in your childhood bed and feeling small again.There are stories about cups of tea that you didn’t have to make yourself.There are stories about sleeping only in moonlight and the sounds of the river. There are stories about the comfort of clutter.There are stories about love that overwhelms.There are stories about being lost.There are stories about having half homes, and feeling homeless.There are stories about good, hot tears that don’t stop.There are stories about the moments between girlhood and womanhood.There are stories about building new homes.There are stories about taking on new families. There are stories about leaving, with a man, and never coming back alone.There are stories about jealousy of children. There are stories about trying to give answers when you haven’t any. There are stories about trying to fill  conflicting roles.There are stories about trusting the cycle.There are stories about birthday cakes and strange gifts.There are stories about being known and honored.
There are stories about endless flows of floods. There are stories about nature and thaws.
There are stories about needing a refuge. There are stories about needing a refuge from the refuge. There are stories about safety in family.There are stories about having your energy aligned. There are stories about being affirmed. There are stories about gypsy parents who want to live simply.There are stories about constant complications.
There are stories about wanting it all.There are stories about leaving and sobbing and not knowing why.There are stories about little sisters who always chase the car when you leave. There are stories about stinging, and retreating, and forgiving. There are stories about inexplicable loneliness. There are stories about dark dirty subway stations and friendly strangers. There are stories about turning keys in doors.There are stories about roommates who don’t do the dishes. There are stories about living with people who don’t really get it. There are stories about expiry dates. There are stories about leaping into new lives.There are stories about loving someone enough to stay.
Lara Stokes

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| York University
February 20-27, 2007

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