Excerpt from, “As If We Know,” What Binds Us (Finishing Line Press 2017).
Sometimes a post has to be a day late. Happy Sunday. On second thought, I think I’ll loosen my constraints and commit to posting either Saturday or Sunday from here on out. Yes, that feels much better.
Journalism was never a viable path for me as a writer for one reason: constant deadlines. I’m sure I could have been taught many valuable lessons on the art of the deadline but it would have been up hill the whole time. I’m just not wired that way. My wiring is more the lone poet in the woods feeling for where the heartbeat of our world intertwines with the heartbeat of the universe. Sappy, I know. But true. We do exist. Though someone may not know I’m wired this way upon our meeting. I have three children and live in a bustling city. Luckily I’m able to find my need to simply flow with the world even in the confines of so much structure. I suppose I chose family over a demanding career because something had to give. Even if it is merely an illusion that I have the freedom of the wandering poet, I’m able to keep this side of me thriving. I do make the rules in my house after all.
Photo taken by author. All rights reserved.
Yes, YOU make the rules! Sounds like a perfect compromise to me….
Sappy, I suppose, but beautifully written and true. Isn’t that the role of the poet, to say truth things beautifully? Yeah, I’ve talked myself out of sappy, now. Sappy isn’t true enough, or it’s something that doesn’t need to be said, dressed up with old fashioned bows and embarrassing frills. You’re never sappy.
I feel the same way about journalism, by the way. I even took a journalism class in high school and thought hard about going that route. It was the deadlines that terrified me, too, and rightly so. I need structure but it has to be self-imposed or I disintegrate. I stopped feeling guilty about that a long time ago. It’s not a failing, just, like you said, different wiring.
Love this post, Cheryl. I feel like you’re finding your way to exactly the way you want to do this project. And discovering that you will want to do it one way one weekend, a completely different way some other weekend. Perfect. XO
Thank you, Claire! It means a lot that you are enjoying this little project. If trying to understand truth is sappy, I’m all in. XO