Friday, November 4, 2011

Write...why?













We gather at the library,
autumn leaves blasting past
the windows in high wind,
skulking with our laptops,
defiantly hogging wall outlets
and tables and chairs,
fingers at the ready.
Are we 'real' writers, not
using the traditional paper
and pen? Then the discussion
of typewriters breaks out, with
a fierce contingent avowing:
what about pencils?
And fountain pens, quills and stylus,
wax tablets, parchment, onion skin,
papyrus and animal skins or even
brushes and burnt sticks and
stone and chisels (of stone or metal?)
Arguments about what is
the purest form of the writer
blossom into fierce, mock serious
discussions of writing procrastination.
While various folks
charge off into the book stacks
to look up hieroglyphics to
support their theories about
what makes a true scribe,
I tap away at my key board,
easily making my daily NaNo
word count, emotional guns
all firing at the bad guy in
my nascent novel.
The writing makes the writer,
you see?
(Posted for Thursday Think Tank #73, 11/4/11 and for Magpie Tales, Mag 89, 11/4/11
and Gooseberry Garden's Poetry Picnic Week 12, 11/6/11)

15 comments:

  1. I like that: emotional guns all firing at the bad guy in my novel - Yes, you are a writer. Think, act and behave like a writer. You write and use everything around you as fodder for the page. Tap away, Wise Wyoming, while the procrastinators polish their skill. I'm cheering for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes a writer writes...I can study all I want, but without putting thoughts down I am just a reader...love this piece!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Susie. A writer, writes.

    I wonder now where all this knowledge will ever be if the internet suddenly breaks down. Everything ever written since computers began will be lost. Unless it's preserved on discs.
    A good read, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have a couple projects on the back burner...this lit the fire.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's all about sharing... and boy, have we used many different tools to share. Thanks for letting me stumble into your cave to read the etchings on the wall.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just look at the archives of anyone serious - a writer writes, and you obviously are and do. Great imagery!

    ReplyDelete
  7. rich and dynamic,
    lovely fall thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The writing makes the writer? I see!

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Arguments about what is
    the purest form of the writer
    blossom into fierce, mock serious
    discussions of writing procrastination."

    Glad you were able to get some work done. Best of luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think this is my favorite entry for this rally--what a fabulous piece! I can see the discussion so clearly. Thanks for sharing this one for the rally--and good luck with the novel!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What an unexpected happening this poem. Really Awesome. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  12. wonderfully written piece
    i love paper and pencil and in the end it gets transferred to the computer. i so agree, it is the writing that makes the writer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. clever. and it follows into the piece.
    ''The writing makes the writer''

    an enjoyable read.

    ReplyDelete
  14. A really wonderful poem! I've had conversations like that before, but your'e right, writing is what really makes the writer ;). Thank you for sharing! Good luck on NaNo, I hope next year I'll be able to contribute!

    ReplyDelete

Please share your thoughts!