Poetry For People
05/07/2010 10:17 a.m.
In an effort to kick-start myself back into writing, I'm doing a six week workshop with Sage Cohen called "Poetry For People: Level One". I have her book "Writing The Life Poetic" and the workshop is very similar except that you get your poetry reviewed by Sage, and you're supported by a real, live person as you go through the process.

I'm finding it pretty exciting. I mean, how often do I give this kind of time to writing poetry? (Never!)

I plan to put a new section up here at Pathetic for the poems that come out of the workshop.

Even if I write nothing but crap, at least I'm writing.
I am currently Dorky
I am listening to Stevie Nicks - Twisted

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Zyban and Other Joys
03/31/2010 09:52 a.m.
I started Zyban a couple of days ago in yet another desperate attempt to quit smoking. Something happens when I'm on this stuff. I sleep like the dead (which is unusual, apparently), and I feel nothing.

Nothing good, nothing bad, no hunger, no thirst...

I just sort of float.

It's not a narcotic, and it doesn't change my level of awareness. I could easily operate heavy machinery.

But I don't feel much of anything.

I suppose since I smoke to manage what I feel this is a good thing so long as it's temporary.

Funny thing is, though, that I feel like writing now that I feel nothing. I actually responded to Stimulus at Northography last night in a spontaneous fit of words, and this morning, I actually did a revision.

Miracle drug, Zyban!

Heh. :)
I am currently Detached

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OMG, Yes.
03/26/2010 04:04 p.m.
Jim was lovely enough to comment on my last whiny entry about poet's block, and he finished with this insight:

"In some ways, its only a matter of having standards that perpetually exceed ability. And that's a good place to be in - even if it always feels miserable."

Hit me like a bolt out of the blue, that did. Because it really is an awesome place to be in - to be forever stretching to be better. Isn't that what I'm all about anyway?

Yes, it really is.

Let's call this my public thank you to Jim, who said exactly what I needed to hear today. :)

***

In other news, my course materials arrived from Athabasca U today and I am hyperventilating over getting started. I'm a high school drop out. Doing courses at the university level is about as intimidating as anything I've ever attempted.

Wish me fortitude, dudes!


I am currently Better
I am listening to Vandaveer - Grace and Speed

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Poetry - Argh!
03/26/2010 11:08 a.m.
I keep coming back to this feeling that I'll never write again - that all the poetic flow that came easily in my thirties is over, over, over, and I will never, ever, ever write again.

Which is silly because I don't write because I *don't* write. Not because I *can't* write. And I *don't* write because I'm terrified of sucking.

Terrified.

Never mind that I love writing. Never mind that writing poetry has been one of the most therapeutic, beautiful, creative, nourishing outlets I have ever known. Never mind that some people actually *like* what I write!

Not good enough for this twisted mind o' mine. No. It wants perfection and it wants it now. It wants *everyone*, especially poets I respect and admire, to LOVE my poems.

Ego. Feh.

I don't know what it's going to take to break this block, this wall, this terror. But I'm working on it...

That's the best I can do for now.
I am currently Frustrated
I am listening to Wendy Rule - The Wild Faeries

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