Slice of Life Story Challenge- March 30 - Risky Business, Writing



This quiet Saturday finds me temporarily alone in the house in a reflective mood and a chance to scan through my poet's notebook. I happened to stumble across some raw words which I have reworked for today's post...

Risky Business

I sit at my desk some mornings
Confronted by slips of paper
Scribbled lists
And a head full of loosely connected thoughts
Fragments of a dream perhaps
I link them tenuously in my morning mind
Sorting them
Before writing…

I must remain courageous
I must a risk taker be
And write to the edges of thought and idea
Remembering always
The best writing
Requires such daring

Memories like ghosts float by
Lingering for just enough time
To explode in my head
I recall
I record
And words spill across the pages of my humble notebook

I am living life twice
Scribing questionable versions of reclaimed truths
My voice
My choice
I must remain courageous





Comments

  1. Terje 30 March 2013 at 20:58

    This poem speaks from the heart of the writer. My favorite lines:
    -Scribing questionable versions of reclaimed truths-
    - I must remain courageous -
    I am glad that you had time this morning to reflect and rework the raw words. This poem could be on the sidebar or on your profile.

    ReplyDelete
  2. drferreriblogspot.com30 March 2013 at 21:55

    This poem is a keeper and certainly sums up the experience of writing. I have been composing my own "farewell SOL month poem in my head for the last few days - but I will link yours to whatever I get out tomorrow as the "courage" you describe to share - knowing that others will read and think of your through your words - is a powerful image that haunts. Our words, out here, are reflections of us...yikes....thinkg twice before you hit send...but living life without risks is not yet living it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dogtrax30 March 2013 at 22:18

    I love that line: "living life twice" -- it really captures the reflective stance of a writer. I'll have that phrase dancing through my head today.
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete
  4. elsie31 March 2013 at 00:28

    Writing and publishing is a risky business. Your poem tells the story of those who write. Writers do get to live life twice.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beverley Baird31 March 2013 at 00:37

    Love your poem Alan. It really speaks to the writer in us and what we go through. It is a risky business.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous31 March 2013 at 03:08

    So many phrases that speak to me - morning mind, memories like ghosts,humble notebook, questionable versions of reclaimed truths. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stacey Shubitz31 March 2013 at 07:50

    I must remember these lines:

    Remembering always
    The best writing
    Requires such daring

    I sometimes forget that. Thanks for the wonderful reminder in this exquisite poem, Alan.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous31 March 2013 at 09:28

    You are such a fine craftsman, sir. I love your control of rhythm and sound throughout: alliteration, sneaky rhyme and off-rhyme, repeated phrase beginnings for rhythm and emphasis -- all wonderfully accented with line breaks. This is to say nothing of the poem's message, which is profound in its clarity. A level of thought and language control that I aspire to attain! Superb piece--

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous31 March 2013 at 10:51

    Memories like ghosts float by
    Lingering for just enough time
    To explode in my head

    I love these lines...this month I've felt that a lot. Thanks for giving the feeling such eloquent words.

    ReplyDelete
  10. maria.selke1 April 2013 at 00:18

    Here's my favorite line - And write to the edges of thought and idea

    I feel like that's what my blog has become - a way to explore my thoughts. While my posts are often a bit rough around the edges, I feel like I'm starting to feel my way around to the edges of my ideas. I need to learn to take more risks and step closer to the precipice.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown1 April 2013 at 08:52

    I read this poem this morning and knew I would have to add some lines from it to my Cento. Your lines work beautifully with the others, such clear and compelling voice. I love to think of writing as living life twice. Bravo!

    I hope you don't mind: http://meanderingmaya.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/cento-31-of-31-no-words-of-mine-does-this-count/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown1 April 2013 at 08:52

    I read this poem this morning and knew I would have to add some lines from it to my Cento. Your lines work beautifully with the others, such clear and compelling voice. I love to think of writing as living life twice. Bravo!

    I hope you don't mind: http://meanderingmaya.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/cento-31-of-31-no-words-of-mine-does-this-count/

    ReplyDelete

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