A Writer's notebook, Day One-Hundred-Forty-Five

I had a rather productive day, not only in that I did write a poem, but also in that I worked on my query letter and did some work towards that goal.  The event I attended today was rather interesting, focusing in part on haiku and in part on another Japanese form, zuihitsu.  This latter is a hybrid form, but involves list making as a central element, and it was that aspect which we were encouraged to explore.  Indeed, the piece that I worked on today is in that format, and I am rather pleased with it.  I could have continued it and actually have ideas that I think would have been quite good for it, but was happy with what emerged.  In revision, of course, it might shift.

The list form seems quite interesting to me, and worth continuing to explore.  I think I may try it again tomorrow and see how it develops.  I have ideas for lists, and it is a form that I feel capable of throwing myself into right at this moment.  In some ways it feels as though it has a low bar, but is also filled with difficult questions and ways of thinking.  It allows for a lot of different kinds of content.  In my current list, for example, I included a bit from a spam message that felt appropriate.  I can see exploring a more complete version of this concept in a piece of longer writing.  It feels as though the more extensive form, which includes narrative and fragments of essays, along with these lists, is one that could be very interesting for a novel, for example, though I don't know what that novel would yet be.

At this juncture, my main goal is just to be writing more poetry in general, and writing these lists is something that is opening that connection in my mind.  I am sure it could be almost anything that would do that, really, as I said yesterday the issue is not in ability but in my lack of practice.  I would not be surprised if writing these list pieces, I found myself writing other poems quite soon.  It is an entry point, though one I think is worth exploring for the merits it has as well.

I am a bit out of sorts, though, to be honest, as I am somewhat concerning a trip Melissa and I planned.  We sometimes travel to events in North Florida and had a trip scheduled, but were invited by an acquaintance to an art exhibit opening which was occurring in the same area on a night around our trip.  In order to go, we changed our reservation and our overall plans.  Once we did so, I emailed to get details on the opening and was told it had been rescheduled, and that the gallery would be open that day, but only until four in the afternoon, making it rather difficult for us to actual go.  I am really quite irked, as I was very interested in the exhibit and very flattered at the invitation.  Indeed, we were making a special effort to go and be there so we could attend, and to be told that this effort is a waste is rather upsetting, if I am honest.  It seems to me, the least that could have been done was to make sure we were informed when the date changed. 

A part of me actually wants to write a poem about that, but I am not yet sure what it would be like, and I don't know why I think it would make a decent poem.  In the end, anything could be a good poem, though, and that is really the big secret.  That is why writing these lists is so helpful for me at this moment, as something that I can focus on easily and be sure I am capable of doing.  It is a knack that opens up, and it becomes a reminder of a deeper level of understanding, it rekindles that spark.  I feel very certain that I am getting back on track for writing poetry, and that is something that makes me quite enthused, and even, perhaps, joyful.

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