Self-Conscious
Poetry Revision
Poetry, like any written work, needs revision. I suppose there might have been a handful of times when inspiration for a short poem hits and what comes out the first time is good enough. But most times there’s a good bit of thinking, speaking and writing that goes on after the initial words are put to paper.
When I say good enough I mean I’m happy with the way it sounds and I feel I’ve gotten my message across. In other words, good enough is an incredibly subjective measure of a poem’s completion.
Notice that I didn’t say a poem is good enough if half the people who proofread it say it’s OK. No, good enough comes before any eyes but mine have beheld the work. And that makes it incredibly dangerous. Because whether I think my message has been put across or not or whether it sounds good, no one else may see it that way.
That’s why the initial words of a poem’s first draft usually shouldn’t be published. It’s tempting (and I do it more than I should) to just put them out there quickly and see what happens. But that usually results in reading them later and cringing when you realize you let other humans read that slop.
Those initial words are not the poem; not really anyway. Instead, they’re the idea, the inkling of a theme or the exploration of a subject. Usually, when I think I’ve got something good, I’ll walk away from it for a week or more. I come back to it later with fresh eyes and see that it wasn’t very good in the first place. It’s then that the poem begins to be written.
Travel
Planning to go is fun
as is having gone
but being there is often
less so than either one
Putting Up Walls
A December Kind of Day
Snooks Bottom
A Lonely Road
Bad Art Ideas: Toilet Seat Wreath
I’m all for abstract art but I think there has to be a limit. For me, that limit is a Christmas wreath made from a toilet seat.
Don’t get me wrong, there are far worse holiday offenses out there like adults dressing up like pink bunnies, putting out cookies for fat reverse burglars and the worst offense – putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving.
The toilet seat wreath, however, still ought to be considered at least a minor offender. For one thing, it’s too obvious. It’s basically already a wreath. All you’re doing is hot gluing tacky things to it.
I get it, people think it’s funny to put something associated with defecation on their door or wall. Who wouldn’t want to be known for that? But just like bad posts on social media could cost you a future job, bad decorations at Christmas can cost you the respect of, well, everyone.
What He Does With Power
Pittacus or Plato or some copywriter from the 1950s. Depends on who you ask.
The measure of a man is what he does with power.
Something New
I have plenty of activities to keep me busy each day. But that doesn’t keep me from trying new things.
I like trying new activities and learning new skills. It potentially gives me new things to put in my ever-revolving lineup of hobbies. At the very least it gives me one more thing to identify with. So far I can claim writer, poet, musician, programmer, geographer, cartographer, political scientist, photographer, mechanic, martial artist, hunter, Olympic (style) weight lifter, business owner, web designer, electrician, and artist.
All of the above activities I’ve either done professionally, in an organized and/or official manner or on a scale large enough to significantly differentiate myself from the majority of people.
Recently, I decided to add to my art repertoire by trying my hand at acrylic painting and mixed media art. Maybe I should focus on trying to hone existing skills but sometimes you just have to widen the hole rather than dig it deeper.
I’ve only done a handful of paintings so far. Although I like the results, I’m sure in a few months, after doing more of it, I’ll look back and recognize how simplistic and unrefined they are. But you have to start somewhere.
I don’t need to be the next Rembrandt. I just want to create things that are pleasing to look at and give me another outlet for creativity.
As I refine my eye for color and feel for acrylic, I’ll keep posting what I make so the progression (hopefully not regression) can be seen and monitored.