False Gods

Do these people really believe
that they will never die?
These grimacing
runners and joggers
that fill the parks and sidewalks
every Sunday morning
instead of the hard wood pews
of local churches.
You know the ones I mean;
with their vacant eyes
and designer shoes and sweats.
The misguided ones
trying so hard
to take such good care of
their outsides.
What will these folks do when,
sooner or later,
they finally meet their maker
and are asked
for an accounting of their life;
about lessons learned,
or good works done?
About honesty and ethics?
About love?
Will they try to present muscles
smooth and hard,
or numerous plastic credit cards
and cold cash?
Surely, the Gods must
be rolling on the floor, laughing.

Never on Suday or any 'no' mail day

Years ago, in some writing workshop or other, I was given a piece of advice that 'stuck'. And I want to pass it on to budding writers of any genre. I was given this tip by another woman writer at a time when, all by myself, I was trying to work full-time at a day job, raise two children, AND actively pursue the Muse! I wasn't willing to give up any of these 'aspects' of my life; I was feeling ineffective and overwhelmed, and I probably was... The advice? NEVER, EVER, no matter WHAT, work on any aspect of writing on any day when mail is NOT delivered! Do not even jot down a quick note, get into a conversation with another writer on the phone, or otherwise get involved in your writing life. Try not to even THINK about your writing or writing projects on those days! As overwhelmed, and as behind in so many things as I was, this sounded nuts. But I was urged to just try it for a month and lacking any other solutions, I did. The result was amazing and almost immediate. That one day 'off' every week (and now, with so many Mondays being Holidays - two days off in a row!) refreshes my creativity in some inexplicable way. On the next 'working' morning I am ready to get to it! And usually do. Even if, on my 'day or days' off, I work hard, wear myself out on other stuff; it is NOT writing stuff. I may paint a room, re-pot all my patio plants, do the laundry and housework, go shopping, go to a parade, or make a big pan a spaghetti sauce from scratch. But I do not 'work' at the art of writing! On my days 'off' I try to not even think about writing or my various writing projects. This is more difficult, but it can be done with a little practice. When you catch yourself thinking about writing or a writing project, just gently put the thought on hold. Tell yourself you will think about it tomorrow. For example, all day yesterday, producing this Blog entry was sitting heavy on my mind; I had to fight off the impulse many times to take some notes, or just sit down and do it! Having decided to share what to me, over the years, had turned out to be a valuable tip, I wanted to do it! But I was able to wait and here I am, first thing this morning, a 'mail delivery day' making the entry. Nothing was lost in the waiting. In fact, the thoughts, and ideas behind the impulse to Blog this writing tip probably unconsciously coalesced during the waiting. Certainly, during my time 'off', the 'other' aspects of my life have been lined up, taken care of, settled, and are out of the way so the Muse can have full rein. The reason for trying to not even think about writing on your days 'off': if you think about it, you are likely to do something WITH THAT thought. You are likely to interrupt your gardening, cooking, painting, whatever and will find you've spent hours working on writing... Initially, I had to actually schedule in my weekly writing time on mail days, to meet deadlines, finish projects, in order to have those non-mail days off. Then it got to be a habit, no matter my domestic or day-job situation, I never ever write (WORK) on Sundays or Holidays. Yes, I still often greatly resent this particular self-imposed 'writing rule', have to remind myself of the why and how of it. After all these years, I often re-evaluate and remind myself that it's worth it. And you probably will too! Giving your Muse (no matter your genre of writing) some regular time off works! It's a habit that has proved beneficial to me and to my Muse!It will probably work for you also. Give it a try!

Early one Tuesday morning

PUBLISHED:
The New York Quarterly (The ONE poem that make me a NYQ Poet!)
Number 37
October 1988

Early one Tuesday morning
you'll walk into this very same room and sit down, primly
cross your legs, and sit perfectly still, as only
you can. And, as usual, I'll be attired in my best demeanor.
"Today, let's start with my agenda," you'll say
as I routinely start to slip out of it;
slide it easily up my torso, over my head, then discard it.
"Are you still taking four Lithium a day?" you'll ask
though by now I'm sitting naked before you,
my prized demeanor lying crumpled on the dusty carpet.
"What about the anti-depressant?" you'll continue
while I take your hand, methodically taste each finger,
then trace the lines in your palm with my tongue.
"And the Xanax, how much are you taking?" you'll inquire
as I unbutton your shirt, move my face over
your chest; nuzzle the thick blonde hair, the erect nipples.
"What about your other medications?" you'll query
while I smoothly unbuckle your thin brown leather belt, unzip
your slacks, tug them and your bikini briefs down.
Then start a frenzied search for your appendectomy scar.
"This is not therapeutic!" you'll cry,
finally having noticed your own state of near nakedness.
"Nor would any of my peers approve!" you'll wail.
Reacting immediately; I'll pluck out my brain,
and then frantically offer it to you in way of an apology.
"Have you been feeling suicidal lately?" you'll ask.


(All Rights reserved by author: evvy garrett)