Would You Give Up Arms For Wings?
A story inspired by the visionary life and writings of Paulus Berensohn.
I worked and played to write this book for about six years. And like Paulus himself, the project is a weaving, and filled with layers, and now finished.
I like to think of my book drafts, and the project itself sort of like a tree, and that this webpage can reflect that and become another form of the word "would."
There in the center is the core place where I began the journey in 2018, and each year there is a new growth ring has appeared.
For now, if you click under the main heading for Would You Give Up Arms for Wings, the versions of the project, and what I've been working through is evident. As well an essay outlining the process of how I found my way to the workable structure for my non-fiction-fiction intention was published by The Midwest Quarterly this spring.
I'm beyond grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their unwavering support. Their belief in me kept me going while I worked through months and drafts of revision to find the book you can now read.
It's now 2026. I'm still looking for the people who will help me publish the book. The healing power of the project is now in a form to be shared. The project is so rich and deep and wide. I've been swimming in the moments of the writing. It's been a beautiful flow. If you know Paulus, you aren't surprised by that. But if you don't know him, that's why I've written this book.
Tupelo Press says, "Would You Give Up Arms for Wings? A story inspired by the visionary life & writings of Paulus Berensohn is a fascinating, often luminous work that deftly intertwines genres and perspectives, lyricism with research, and offers much to think with in terms of how we create," but ultimately they had reached capacity and could not take on this title.
At the same time, Joy Seidler, the best friend of Paulus said to me, “Martha Graham, who Paulus danced and learned from, recognized that each of us have a unique piece of the Cosmic puzzle. If we do not bring forth our gifts the world will not have that particular energy. Having now written what you were compelled/called/divinely inspired to write - can you allow for that being enough? Are you able to know that the quantum field has been vibrated and your creation now lives in the "Lake of Stories" in the unseen realms? Hallelujah! Well done you.”
I do rejoice in the writing of this book and it can be enough. I have been changed, and I am changing because of it, but I'd like you to read it too.
But for now and for always, thank you Paulus, for you. Rest in Peace.
In essence:
Would You Give Up Arms For Wings? A story inspired by the visionary life and mystical writings of Paulus Berensohn is a narrative study of the human psyche’s essential longing for freedom, and the potential for natural fulfillment through enchanted experiences like dancing, poetry, craft practices and deep ecology.
