I write to discover…

I have two distinct memories of falling in love with writing and poetry. One happened when I was in third grade and my teacher, Mrs. Rotanz, introduced our class to the poetry of Shel Silverstein. I devoured all of his books and began writing my own, accompanied with quirky illustrations, like Shel did in his books. The other happened my freshman year at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in a creative writing class where I composed my first ‘real’ essay about collecting real clay from the mountains of West Virginia with my Papaw when I was a young girl. I hadn’t realized that writing could transport me back in time and allow me to feel wonder and nostalgia like I did when I composed that essay.

I continued writing on and off throughout the years, but it wasn’t until our family’s long suffering journey began, that I consistently picked it up again. I had so many words and emotions and didn’t know where to put them, so they found their home in poems and psalms. I didn’t realize at the time but I was writing to heal and to hope. I was writing to discover and find delight. I was writing to praise, worship, and give thanksgiving. I was writing to give my thoughts a space to breathe on the page since I didn’t have room in my body.

I am a logophile, a lover of words. I write them in journals, on scrap pieces of paper, in my phone, and online. I collect quotes and scriptures, and hope to one day soon publish my own book of poems or devotions.

I enjoy writing poetry, prose, essays, devotions, listicles, psalms, curriculum, and random thoughts (that I think are) worth sharing.

I send an occasional newsletter out from my writing platform, Substack, called Becoming and it explores faith, art and creativity, healing, beauty, and the intersection of all of them through creative prompts, workshops, online chats, poetry, and community. I’d love for you to join me over there!

Below is a sampling of some of my writing. Join here:

A Substack favorite: 52 Artist Dates

Is your calendar missing "assigned play"? Here are 52+ fresh Artist Dates by Kelly B. Pittman

Play, and its many benefits, may be just the thing you've been missing each week

Read on Substack

Samples of poetry from my Substack:

"Earth's Chorus" by Kelly B. Pittman

a poem, nature journal pages, and a journal prompt (that lowers blood pressure!)

Read on Substack

I want to be present where my body takes up space by Kelly B. Pittman

Read on Substack

Essay samples from my Substack:

Waiting by Kelly B. Pittman

an essay; reflections on senior widows, creepy busts, and forgotten stories.

Read on Substack

  • Luke, age 4

    “Mommy, when it's your turn to die, you might have seven more weeks because you brushed and flossed your teeth everyday!"

  • Luke, 5 & Andrew, 3

    (The kids and I observe a ‘silverfish’ insect in our basement)

    Me: “Look guys, check out this bug that I found!”

    Luke: “Is that a real bug?”

    Andrew: “Oh yeah, that’s one of those mermaid bugs.”

  • Naomi, age 4

    (When she first observes the wall made entirely of mirror in our beach house rental)

    “You all can do what you want, I just want to dance.”

    (as she enjoys the view of herself, while dancing)

  • Andrew, 6

    Me: “Andrew, smell this rose!”

    Andrew: “Does that rose have a thorn?”

    Me: (looking closely at the rose) “I don’t know, let me see. Hmm, no it doesn’t.”

    Andrew: “Well then it’s not a rose, because every rose has a thorn.” (inspired by Poison’s song)

  • Andrew, 3

    “Mommy, after lunch, can I have a snack?”

  • Luke, 3

    Me: “P..P…Parachute P..P…Playground… P..P..Pretend. What words can you think of that start with P..P..?”

    Luke: “P..P..Pee Pee.. P..P..Poo Poo P..P.. Penis”

  • Luke, 4

    “Daddy, what if this place was a gross place and you only had to eat Adam’s apples?”

  • Luke, 7 & Andrew, 5

    (I overheard Luke say this to his brother while they were sitting in a tide pool at the beach)

    Luke to Andrew: “Andrew, this is how you baptize yourself - you put sand over your knees and then wash it off as you say your favorite verse.”

  • Luke, 5

    “Mommy, I cannot even remember being in your tummy at all.”

  • Luke, 2

    Me: “Luke, are you ready to go home and go to bed?”

    Luke: “No.”

    Me: “Are you ready to stay up all night and party?”

    Luke: “No.”

    Me: “Then, what do you want to do?”

    Luke: “Crackers and peanut butter.”

  • Andrew, 6

    While at a restaurant, a server said something about “Your Mommy…” to Andrew. He turned around to me in astonishment to say,

    “How does she know your name?!”

  • Andrew, 4

    Luke: “Mommy, can we watch a little TV?”

    Me: “Sure, but first tell me, how did you sleep.”

    Luke: “Great! I had an awesome dream that we were at Disney World every single day and played on the playground every single day.”

    Me: “Disney is so great, isn’t it? Andrew, how did you sleep?”

    Andrew: “Sideways”

  • Luke, 8

    Me: “OK, would you rather play an hour of putt putt and get eaten alive by no see ums and mosquitos or be out on the beach all day with no shade or sunblock?”

    Luke: “Well, would you at least be in first place or get a hole in one?”

  • Andrew, 8

    (Upon seeing our Elf on the Shelf who’d spelled out, “Be Good” in corn kernels across our dining room table,)

    “Yep. He’s working for the big man!”

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