What you’ve written here makes me reflect. Very recently I put the question, When is something good going to happen to me? into a poem. It’s a question that came to mind long before I wrote the poem. But as I was reading poem just now, I thought, Something good is happening to me. I think of that in relation to projects.
You articulate something for me there, Mark. I feel compelled to be productive, always working on done project. Many but not all are literary. But I myself (and you?) am a work in progress, my life is in present progressive tense.
I couldn't agree more. I am wired, and have further wired myself into a productivity-oriented monster. It will be somewhat of a process to unlearn how much of this is tied to societal norms and consumer-capitalist culture (which it is).
One perk of being a 77 yr old who has occasional insomnia is that I wrote a book review this morning. And I’m pleased with it. I don’t stress about submitting poems, but I do, about reviews. To get one published in a timely manner helps sell the book.
I find that I go through a process of learn, explore, create like crazy, take a step back and catch my breath. Then start over again. Except continuing with what I have learned from before and adding to it. But I do have those times in between. Just to gather and be in the world. Look around and not read everything just to learn something. Learn something from what I'm engaging with has to offer. It's a work/life balance I guess :)
What you’ve written here makes me reflect. Very recently I put the question, When is something good going to happen to me? into a poem. It’s a question that came to mind long before I wrote the poem. But as I was reading poem just now, I thought, Something good is happening to me. I think of that in relation to projects.
Excellent, Peter. Part of the objective here is simply reflection.
You articulate something for me there, Mark. I feel compelled to be productive, always working on done project. Many but not all are literary. But I myself (and you?) am a work in progress, my life is in present progressive tense.
I couldn't agree more. I am wired, and have further wired myself into a productivity-oriented monster. It will be somewhat of a process to unlearn how much of this is tied to societal norms and consumer-capitalist culture (which it is).
I have wondered, at times, how you manage to do all the things (I think) you do.
Years ago I used to wonder about that in regard to a (at that time) close friend, David Wojahn, before he became a Yale Younger Poet.
Sadly, looks like I'm missing the window for the Yale Younger. (serious but not an honor I was expecting)
Life choices certainly dictate how many of us operate. Some of it is internal wiring, some of it is choice, but a lot of it is situational.
One perk of being a 77 yr old who has occasional insomnia is that I wrote a book review this morning. And I’m pleased with it. I don’t stress about submitting poems, but I do, about reviews. To get one published in a timely manner helps sell the book.
I find that I go through a process of learn, explore, create like crazy, take a step back and catch my breath. Then start over again. Except continuing with what I have learned from before and adding to it. But I do have those times in between. Just to gather and be in the world. Look around and not read everything just to learn something. Learn something from what I'm engaging with has to offer. It's a work/life balance I guess :)
Sounds healthy and a positive "go with the flow" mentality :)