the work

photo

I've always been more in love with the idea of hard work than with the actuality.  I imagine Plath pouring over her poems in the early morning (Ted got the afternoon to write), blowing on her hands to keep warm in that drafty house in Devon.  I've romanticised the writing life, of course I have.  There is a paradox I possess; two voices battling.  "Work harder. For Hours.  Daily."  Then the other "Enjoy, be less serious, live your art."

Both valid, no doubt.  But lately, I've felt guilty for how little I've worked on my recent project.  So this morning I sat to an hour or so of work and realized that amidst my laissez-faire attitude, I've written 11 legitimate poems.  Rough, in need of editing (which I confess I might like more than the actual writing.  There is something so pleasurable in all those proofreading symbols!), and not yet good, but STILL! They are written.

working on Nightwatch

Amidst the guilt and the voices saying it wasn't enough, I worked.  Since not much slips my notice, my perpetually-peeled eyes, I consider this a private and profound victory.  Intentionality, I have plenty of.  What's new is the surprise of enjoying the work so much that it feels absolutely nothing at all like work.

To my 11 poems,


What's on your fall lust list?


See yours truly's 

The day's outing: Volunteer Park Conservatory














flore est bon pour l'âme,

The Stayholiday

My kind of church
Salad for Breakfast
Croque Madame and Aperol Champagne Cocktail
Champagne and St. Germain
Les Mis
My man loves the theatreRow J
Vive la vacation!

We kicked off a week of vacation with a perfect Sunday.  French breakfast, checking 1 item off my "bucket list" with the viewing of Les Misérables, too much booze before 1pm, BBQ at Mom's, and late night lounging with the pup.  If today was an indication of how the rest of our "staycation" will unfold, I will be ever so pleased.   We have some other big things on the itinerary as well as plenty of beautiful nothings like watering tomatoes and reading in the sunshine.  

This is therefore acting as a service announcement to let you know I will either
A) Be taking a bloggular break 
or
B) Be blogging more than usual.

Time Stamp

RIGHT NOW
My space


Kefir Smoothie


Dahlia Bunch, $5

summer's (organic and local) bounty
___________

LATELY



___________

ALL TOO OFTEN

The Saint at The Leary Tavern


The Leary Tavern

DUVEL
__________


a study in blue

Time Stamp
To genuinely feeling
the August of things.
Stand, feet planted on the warmest kitchen tile
seconds and seconds pass.
When did I stop noticing the wind?

Scent of tomato leaves lingering on fingers,
Mingled into the bouquet of pink wine.
Sweet, sharp
forgetting.

Blueberry ink,
Crusty perfection of bread,
Half-hazard slabs of brie.

Afternoons breathing quietly into afterevenings.
Oh Susanna! sells 50-50s.
Nectarines served up warm, with a dash of sideways light.

Ode à août.
To the next chance,
To the replaced peace,
and to summer's imagination,
I aspire.

Everything is growing.