Tuesday, December 11, 2012

If You Run Out Of Paper



I cannot for the life of me get my current prose piece on the go.  I have been editing, adding and deleting, re-arranging but nothing else will come, except for the small piece I've written.  It pains me because I really like the two new characters but something is holding me back, preventing me from telling their story.  I thought I might get to spend some quality time with them on Sunday when I was home alone but once I tinkered with my Christmas tree and a poem, finished a pile of neglected laundry and tidied up, I ran out of steam and out of time.  I'm leaving it up to inspiration now.  I can't have writers block because I've been writing poems like a maniac.  Maybe I was just too please with myself after 'Whistle' and rushed into another idea before it fully formulated.  I rushed into a good thing head first.  No good ever comes of rushing.  I do hope something sparks soon, I really want to share my nwe characters with you.

I polished this puppy off today.  Fussed with it and it's ripe and ready to be sampled:


If You Run Out Of Paper 

if you run out of paper
in the genuine pursuit of truth to
rediscover the beauty of the past

do not despair

it is widely accepted and understood

we often overlook imagined examples
of clarity & brevity for curiosity & inspiration
& how far we can stretch our arms open
to muscle through a path of creative content

if you run out of paper
be at least curious about the moment
you will find the instant suits you

do not protest

art is happiness methodically examined
so great an invention you will never have
to worry if your prose will triumph or your
image rich song is better sung in a folksy drawl

if you run out of paper
be sure to listen for the cheerful melody
that invites you to lose touch with your reservations
write on the walls or write on your hands never be

heartbroken to report you missed a word for lack of 

parchment

if you run out of paper
orchestrate a perilous tango of madness
because obstacles are emphatically verboten

if you run out of paper
you have arrived

**

Of course the premise here is that no matter what, never stop creating.  If you run out of ink, use a crayon.  If you break a pencil, use finger paint.  Just keep going.  And really, if you run out of your creative supplies you must be producing one heck of a piece. That's never wrong.

Think it's time to bundle up and carry myself out for a walk.  Throw in my earbuds and move around a little.  I intended to make today the day I return to the gym.  With daylight savings time, when I'm reading on the commute home I often get lost in my book (in this case my Wallace Stevens poetry volume) and I drove right by.  I promised myself exercise today, I need to get back to good healthy living.  This sitting down and working all day is for the birds, it may be great for writing time which I'd never complain about but my rump is suffering.  I must move.

Happy evening, friendly readers.

In propinquity,
Nic

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