One stone at a time
First day in quarantine- so far so good. I managed to get two first drafts done, read poetry, nap, pay with my daughter and catch a conference call with some friends of mine.
We start lockdown tomorrow, so we’ll see how things go.
I wish there was more for me to say, but at the moment there’s still so much to process.
More tomorrow.
So…
Apologies for not writing. No excuses. But, I’m back now. I wrote a couple of drafts.
Here’s one:
SLIPPAGE
Wilkinson’s beige shelves bone empty
Picked carrion clean
Gauze-like calm, opaque and shimmering
covers everything. This cloud refuses to lift.
Looking out on my last class, I am afraid.
My students have helped me to forget this
But now, I am as afraid for them as I am of what will happen next
I cannot let them know this, so I smile – wish them well.
As the last of them leave, I feel myself slip into darkness
Feel the chill of cryofluid,filling my tank.
We are all together drifting on this sullen sea
Unsure of what strange new worlds await on the other side.
I’m currently watching Black Panther. About to mark and prep for tomorrow. Big things are coming.
Okay, so I messed up.
I officially missed a day of writing here. Let me be clear- it wasn’t intentional, it wasn’t good for my momentum or practice and it wasn’t a good way to build the cathedral.
So, today I’m back on the horse.
I will say that I wrote in my notebook, and I will say that I missed it, but I didn’t allow myself to feel too down. I mean I am human after all.
Tomorrow I’ll put up some of the work I wrote in the notebook, and I’ll be sure to continue my writing practice as before. Because I know that doing that helped me to break through the sea of blank space in my notebook, regardless of whether. It made it here or not.
I must blog earlier on Wednesdays or I’ll always miss my target.
So, here I am again. Sacrificially offering up my thoughts to the ether.
Today we stripped another poem down to its essence. I watched as my students tore into its flesh, and got stronger. I am not a cleric, but what we do feels- to me- spiritual.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m being melodramatic, but the insights and the looks on their faces as they see each poem anew is a blessing to me, and I hope to them as well.
Some days are better than others. Today, sick and the Achilles’ tendon is back at it again. Between that, the ankle, and being ill, today has been, let’s say, less than ideal.
On the plus side, I did get to spend some time with my daughter and I got to read, when I wasn’t resting.
Doctor’s appointment tomorrow at 9.15 pm. Dentist appointment Wednesday. Looks like another busy week ahead.
What else is there to say? More mad scientist ideas, more planning towards the business, more things to do in my head than I can actually find the time to do them in.
C’est la vie.
So, today is my day.
I mean in theory, everyday is my day, but today is REALLY my day. After video games, lounging around the house a bit, one load of laundry, some time spent playing and reading with my daughter, I finally left the house.
Four games of chess, one business meeting, three books and two coffees later, I’m sat in another coffee shop about to: charge my various devices, plan some lessons, read one of said books, push out a draft of a poem and try to avoid being sucked into the black hole that is the internet. For some reason I can’t explain, though I haven’t done a lot, I feel strangely productive.
I mean there’s still quite a bit to do- going to the gym, calling my parents, cleaning around the house, working on the America trip feedback… you know how this goes. But, even with all of that left, I don’t feel overwhelmed. Ooh!
I almost forgot to breakdown how my ‘mad scientist’ moment went.
Amazingly!
It was great to see the students’ reactions both on stage and in the audience. Their responses were very thoughtful and demonstrated sound knowledge of the poems. And, the fact that they were interested and engaged throughout, whether or not they were on stage, was also very reassuring. In fact, I had a number of students ask if we could do it again! I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my colleague A.M. for being equally as adventurous and curious and super flexible. And, I also have to thank E.C for being patient and allowing me to steal some of her time and brain cells to make sure my ‘telemetry’ in putting it together was sound.
For the curious, the game ended up being a hybrid of Jeopardy and Family Feud. I may attach the rules and questions later.
Now, what’s my next mad scientist idea? Hmm… Watch this space.
Anyway. Time for me to go. Infinite to do list to wrestle, and limited time in which to do it.
Have a great Sunday folks; I know I sure will.
After a long week, today my daughter and I had our usual day out.
Breakfast, laying around the house, second breakfast, library, french lesson, book store, dinner, ice cream, stories, games, songs and then bedtime.
I know I sometimes complain about how busy my days can be and how tired I feel, but Saturdays with my daughter regardless of how tired I feel is incredible. She is just so energetic and emotive. And smart!
I’m so happy to be her dad. I only hope that I can prepare her well to be successful and fulfilled.
It is Friday. I am tired. That is all.
