INSPIRATION Reborn

Easter is seen as a time for new beginnings, whatever your belief system. In the last of her monthly inspiration posts, K. M. Lockwood looks at the idea of rebirth, and gives us a hint of what’s to follow.

Easter eggs can have more than one meaning. Not only are they symbols of faith and new life, but they have a more contemporary definition:

unexpected or bonus features in software and media

Pop that idea in your metaphorical basket or on your Easter bonnet for a moment.

By Nickolas Muray [No restrictions or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Let’s have look at the egg symbolism first. Shells must be cracked before a chick can emerge, the simple perfection of that oval form must be ‘spoiled’ for that new life to appear. Like tracks on the blankness of snow, or ink on the page, new starts leave an indelible mark. You can’t go back. No wonder writers and illustrators get nervous about beginning.

Phoenix detail from Aberdeen Bestiary Public Domain

More radically, think of the Phoenix. It must die in flames before it can regenerate (Dr Who has it easy). Less mythically, pyrophytic seeds from plants like the Lodgepole Pine, Eucalyptus and Banksia really do have to pass through fire before they can germinate. The resin which protects their seeds only melts above certain temperatures.

Scarlet Banksia by Alan Levine CC

Many seeds need to be buried and apparently left for dead before they will sprout. It’s an appealing image used in songs such as John Barleycorn and Now the Green Blade Riseth (a popular Easter carol). Ideas can act like that too.

But if you don’t plant the seed, don’t trample on the snow or break the eggs, then nothing will come out.

So, here’s my hope for the future: by setting you tiny warm-ups, lighting frequent small flames of creativity each week, you might find some bonus features. (That Easter egg concept did come in eventually!)

Watch this empty field for some small shoots coming soon . . .

Photo by Zbysiu Rodak on Unsplash

featured image: Easter Eggs by Praktyczny Przewodnik CC

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K. M. Lockwood writes, reads and edits in The Garret.  
Once downstairs, she runs a tiny writer-friendly B&B/retreat or wanders off  looking for sea-glass on the Sussex coast.
Website: www.kmlockwood.com
Twitter: @lockwoodwriter