(Claydance sculpture by Sharon Lia Robinson)

I have written a collection of experimental plays.  These theatre collages reflect the search for love, self-acceptance and finding a sense of belonging.  I wrote the first play, Sculpture Lessons, while I was living in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California, 1973-1974. The performance includes poetry, dialogue and a Greek chorus.  The play can also include music, song-poems, and dance. A celebration of finding one’s authentic self and an example of my early literary voice.

This experimental play manuscript is 31 pages, including  production notes and ideas for stage direction and music.

Here is an excerpt.

A young woman, in conflict with mainstream versions of acceptable social life, asserts her own way of living.

Chorus: My spirit is cleansed, my body renewed, by this union with others in which I am me.  No longer threatened by gurus or thieves, I can speak out because now I can listen.

Ina: Could it be that despite the complexities, the struggles, the death knolls, we grow, we struggle, we survive?  We survive to continue to suffer and to laugh and to cry and to love.  To be hated for what we are. To be loved for what we are mistaken for.  And forever the fortune of time:  the power to heal all wounds.  The blessed gate of time through which we strive for eternal salvation.

 Commentary

I have written a collection of stories with themes that relate to the outsider and the search for social acceptance. Being in some ways outside the margins, my stories and poetry may focus on people outside mainstream American culture.

These stories relate to emergence and transformation of self and society.  They present a spiritual dimension, addressing life path issues, learning from experience, karma and a historical reflection of one woman’s life and creative work.

In the 1970’s, I was a young, full-figured woman, a poet finding my way. I was earnestly seeking connection, meaning and authenticity for my life and a sense of belonging. I did not find social acceptance  or social approval in the realm of the mainstream milieu.

My friends and companions were often other outsiders.  I was searching within and meeting other outsiders; to find my sense of self.  This search was my way to creatively explore and to find a sense of wholeness.

In 1974, I became active in the fat women’s liberation movement for size acceptance. I soon began writing short stories and poems to bring to light the experience of living as a full-figured woman in North America. During that time, I also began to explore the psychology of Dr. Carl Jung.

In 1986 I became a spiritual devotee of Meher Baba. Since then, I have gradually found new insights and purpose in a re-orientation of my creative work, with more awareness of the inner journey toward wholeness, from a spiritual perspective.

Now, in my stories and poetry my intention is to publish and archive what is of value in past endeavors and in the the creating of newer projects.  I discern my life purpose and learn from that earlier time frame in my life. May readers may find inspiration, insights and wisdom through my artistic experience. 

There may be a clue in facing a challenge, a clue that leads one on their path in life to find their purpose.  The challenges I experienced in my early years help to define my life search, identity and individuation.

My life has led me to spiritual faith and self-acceptance. For my legacy I envision an innovative center, foundation or institute in support of my projects; that will  serve as an inspiration for others, educating many in various ways and realms. 

In my early twenties, as a student of sociology and psychology, I became aware of the work of Thomas Szasz, R. D. Laing, Rollo May, Carl Jung and Frantz Fanon. Through their writings, I began to appreciate my creative gifts and uniqueness. There were communities at the time, led by R. D. Laing, Rollo May and the followers of Carl Jung. 

These innovative centers upheld alternative insights, understanding and compassion for a gentle unfoldment of the creative process for the gifted, the sensitive, for those seeking wholeness and purpose.  Knowing that these places were being developed and researching their practices was an essential way for me to know and to honor myself. These centers have given me courage throughout my life as I have developed as a poet, a visual artist, an independent scholar and in my research of holistic health practices. 

A collection of my creative work is in my archive in the Schlesinger Library on Women’s History, Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I am very grateful for this archive because my writing has a home.

In this way my work is remembered, visible and accessible.

My collection of poetry, stories, and visual art includes collaborations with photographer Steven R. Johnson (see Rubenesque Landscape on this website). This artistic poetry and photography collaboration (along with other projects) documents my life as an unconventional heroine.

My Creative Writings Include:

• a collection of stories and poems for children
• free verse poetry
• a collection of stories featuring the theme of the outsider. These stories of unique and unusual people are written at the intersection of memory and imagination. Themes include becoming a victor through faith, courage and finding one’s life purpose.
• experimental theatre
•  pioneering poetry, stories and dance notes for the anthology, Shadow on a Tightrope, Writings by Women on Fat Oppression)
• notes on being an art model (1978-1985)
• Esalen Journey (Journal notes,1986-1987)

I continue the completion of my work as an artist, poet and independent scholar.
(Notes for My Archival Journey were written April 2010, updated December 2, 2022.)

(Dream Child, an experimental play by Sharon Lia Robinson, is a series of song poems and dialogue, dance and music. Here are two song poems with notes for the play Dream Child. The actors featured in the cast are Eva Bogislav, an attractive Renoiresque poet and Aaron Hernandez, a homeless street musician.)

The play opens with Dream Child, a homeless musician,
playing acoustic guitar and singing the following song).

“Living on the Street”
song poem by Sharon Lia Robinson

(Aaron Hernandez sings:)

living on the street
sleeping on the beach
waking up to pray
in a stranger’s garden

what about the guy
on the other side of that fence
he won’t let me in
he only asks
too many questions

he doesn’t want my answers
he doesn’t like my message
I am I am I am
living on the street

for the sake of love
living in the name of love
living for the way
the way of love

he doesn’t want my message
he won’t trust the work
he can hear me calling
from the other side of whim

yes I’m living for the sake of love
on the other side of whim
divine high
divine time
divine whim

all of life
is a gift
loving our Creator
love God love.

The following song poem is for Eva Bogislav, with musical accompaniment).

“Wild Child”
song poem by Sharon Lia Robinson

(Eva Bogislav sings:)

wild child
come in from the cold
wild child
planting flowers
only you can see
wild child
clinging to life’s tree
wild child
crying out to me
crying out to be
crying out to see
the light of love
you are meant to be.
wild child, when will you find your true song?

(Many of my writings portray unconventional, outsider people who search for love and fulfillment. All of these plays and stories are dedicated to Meher Baba, whose spiritual insights help me to accept my otherness.

In this play I portray those of us who desire love as a shelter against the coldness, the social isolation of our being different, to heal and to find a place of safety.

The woman in the play is searching for a companion, perhaps as a mask for an unknown, silent spiritual yearning, an inner depth, unfathomable. My characters find friendship and companionship in unusual and off-beat places.

Dream Child was given a reading in summer, 2011, through Key City Public Theatre. I have also read some of the poetry at open poetry readings.)

whatever happened to that
lonely outsider girl
she became a
disciple of love

I find Lectio Divina is a contemplative refuge for me, yet also a way for reaching back into the world.  A way to find answers.
The practice originated with the Benedictine Order of the Roman Catholic Church.  I read a pamphlet about Lectio Divina several years ago.  The practice was initially formed as a solo form of contemplative prayer.
Then last year, I began to attend Lectio Divina in a small Lenten group setting at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, Washington.
I discovered that Lectio (Divine Reading) is now also sometimes practiced for spiritual discernment in combination with creative dance, poems, photographs and making art; even with films.
Lectio Divina, encompassing many forms of expression, is one way to “practice the presence” either solo or in a group setting.

Lectio Divina is a reading of a sacred text for meditation, prayer and discernment.  This process can be done alone or within a group context.  One evening, May 1, 2013, my poem In The Night Of My Heart was included for the Lectio Divina practice at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

In The Night Of My Heart
by Sharon Lia Robinson

In the night of my heart
I hold a place of healing

A sacred place of sojourn
A peaceful setting for pilgrimage

In the midnight moon of my heart
I sense a deeper truth
Yearning growing fruitful
Beyond misunderstanding

I hold this special place
Hallowed receptive knowing.