Slice of Life: The Hardest Thing About Writing 2 of 31
For the month of March, I'll be writing with the Slice of Life community. Disclaimer: I'll be writing every day so the writing will be raw and a bit messy most days. Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community together and for inspiring me to try to find the stories that surround me each day.
The hardest thing
about starting to write
again
isn't the writing,
it's the careful
observation
of all that happens
in our busy lives,
as we move
about our day
trying to get ahead,
trying to catch up,
trying to keep up,
in the busyness
we forget to pause,
to slow down enough,
to take a breath
and listen to the words
that fall
around us,
tumbling into the air -
unnoticed -
like the moment
with its sparkle,
shining,
like the full moon
taunting us,
as the sun rises
to cast it away
and we sit, unnoticing,
without an idea
unable to write.
© Cathy L. Mere, 2018
about starting to write
again
isn't the writing,
it's the careful
observation
of all that happens
in our busy lives,
as we move
about our day
trying to get ahead,
trying to catch up,
trying to keep up,
in the busyness
we forget to pause,
to slow down enough,
to take a breath
and listen to the words
that fall
around us,
tumbling into the air -
unnoticed -
like the moment
with its sparkle,
shining,
like the full moon
taunting us,
as the sun rises
to cast it away
and we sit, unnoticing,
without an idea
unable to write.
© Cathy L. Mere, 2018
Ooohhh, I love this poem. I kept looking for a favorite line or a favorite stanza and I can't pick. You are a masterful poet! Thank you for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. When the writing gets hard, I always go to poetry. It's my happy place.
DeleteI found this poem so calming even though it was about hard. The pace slowed me down just as planning to write slows us down. Maybe if we embrace this as part of the process we won't have to consider it hard. Thank you for starting my day with a pause.
ReplyDeleteClare
Great point! I think the "paying attention" is the part of the process I have to remind myself about the most.
DeleteListen to words:
ReplyDeletethey rattle the air
with every falling
movement.
Catch a phrase
onto your tongue,
like a child
in a snowstorm,
in order to hear
the stories.
Speak
what you've
tasted.
Write.
-- Line-lifting for some poetry comments. Pardon my intrusions.
:)
Kevin
Kevin,
DeleteI just love your creativity. Thank you for this delightful comment.
Cathy
I get this feeling too and appreciate the way you've sketched it for us here, encouraging us to take that moment to pause and notice and simply *be*. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThank you for this wonderful poem that captures the real struggle of starting to write again--slowing down, being present, looking, noticing, listening. That's the real practice.
ReplyDeleteIt's practice --- and it's habit. I have to remind myself to be mindful of both.
DeleteWell, this post most definitely did not fall into the "messy" category - wowza! What a beautiful reminder of how to gather our slices by paying attention to our lives. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLet's see what the month will bring.
Delete"and listen to the words that fall around us" Love that, Cathy. You made it so easy to jump inside your words.
ReplyDeleteNow to try to catch a few.
DeleteYes, that is why I love this month as well ... slowing down, noticing, intently listening. So eloquently stated today! Agree with Karen, this does not fall into the messy category by any means! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle.
DeleteWow! What a powerful image. A beautiful reminder to pay close attention! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou do this so well, Carol.
DeleteWe had the same kind of thinking for day 2. I think you said it with much more grace; tumbling int he air....love it.
ReplyDelete