Thank you for writing this. I've had some form of "creative paralysis" in the last year that probably is directly related to absorbing too much news and not enough fiction and definitely not enough poetry. The NYT had a "memorize this poem" challenge a while back that made me remember how much I used to enjoy learning poems by heart. So I committed to learning at least a poem per month. So far, so good. It makes me feel more alive than scrolling and more connected to my humanity and the thread of time than immersing myself in (horribly disheartening) current affairs. The real flex would be to finally make good on learning some constellations by heart.
Who knows? But I feel you on all fronts and am glad and always impressed with the essayist you are growing into. This newsletter is very nourishing.
Thank you - that means a lot to me! That sounds like a great practice. I still remember some Russian poetry that I had to memorize in grad school. It's easier for me to memorize poets like Pushkin who write in a regular rhyme and meter. Nowadays I mostly read free verse poetry, which I think would be harder to memorize. When I find one that I really like, I often copy it out by hand, and that always reveals interesting things. Let me know if you try the SWIMM newsletter. I think you might like it.
Summarizing all those piles of legislative bills sounds as bad as the worst of pouring through answers to interrogatories when I was a litigator. I too gave up the law for teaching creative writing and writing. But it sure was nice to get paid for the not fun parts.
Sarah, you're working in the same building I did when I moved to Austin in '73. Met your mom there and others that I've retained a long friendship with. While reading your blog, I have to make note about all the books you recommend. I appreciate that! And the poetry blogs...I do believe we should all eat at least one poem before we're vertical or at least, out of the house.
Put "Braiding Sweetgrass" on your to-read or listen to list. Please. It's an important book.
The Caro books are great for anyone living in Texas. I could go on and on...let's coffee instead!
Thank you for writing this. I've had some form of "creative paralysis" in the last year that probably is directly related to absorbing too much news and not enough fiction and definitely not enough poetry. The NYT had a "memorize this poem" challenge a while back that made me remember how much I used to enjoy learning poems by heart. So I committed to learning at least a poem per month. So far, so good. It makes me feel more alive than scrolling and more connected to my humanity and the thread of time than immersing myself in (horribly disheartening) current affairs. The real flex would be to finally make good on learning some constellations by heart.
Who knows? But I feel you on all fronts and am glad and always impressed with the essayist you are growing into. This newsletter is very nourishing.
Thank you - that means a lot to me! That sounds like a great practice. I still remember some Russian poetry that I had to memorize in grad school. It's easier for me to memorize poets like Pushkin who write in a regular rhyme and meter. Nowadays I mostly read free verse poetry, which I think would be harder to memorize. When I find one that I really like, I often copy it out by hand, and that always reveals interesting things. Let me know if you try the SWIMM newsletter. I think you might like it.
It’s good to hear your voice on the other end of the “line”. I appreciate your thoughts and your motivation- will try three pages by hand too.
Yay!! Let me know if you like it.
I love everything you write!
Summarizing all those piles of legislative bills sounds as bad as the worst of pouring through answers to interrogatories when I was a litigator. I too gave up the law for teaching creative writing and writing. But it sure was nice to get paid for the not fun parts.
i relate. i relate. i relate. solidarity, sister, writer, friend.
Sarah, you're working in the same building I did when I moved to Austin in '73. Met your mom there and others that I've retained a long friendship with. While reading your blog, I have to make note about all the books you recommend. I appreciate that! And the poetry blogs...I do believe we should all eat at least one poem before we're vertical or at least, out of the house.
Put "Braiding Sweetgrass" on your to-read or listen to list. Please. It's an important book.
The Caro books are great for anyone living in Texas. I could go on and on...let's coffee instead!
Bev
I know, I think about you and my mom there every day! I’ll text you about coffee.