It probably comes as no surprise that an array of poetry found its way into my new book, 'Notebook Notions-Using a writer's notebook to harvest ideas and transform your teaching.'
The book is hybrid in nature with poetry being a central character in this story of a life-long writing journey in the company of notebooks. Notebooks have inhabited every corner of my writing world. They have been the place i have come to feast on words.
I consciously launched the book with the poem, 'Risky Words.' My intention was to set the scene for the reading journey unfolding from that point. Poetry is a flame burning brightly in all my work.
Risky Words
I sit at my desk some
mornings
Confronted by slips
of paper
Scribbled lists
And a head full of
loosely connected thoughts
Fragments of a dream
perhaps
I link them tenuously
in my morning mind
Sorting them
Before writing…
I must remain
courageous
I must a risk taker
be
And write to the
edges of thought and idea
Remembering always
The best writing
Requires such daring
Memories like ghosts
float by
Lingering for just
enough time
To explode in my head
I recall. I record,
-And words spill
across the pages of my humble notebook
I am living life
twice
Scribing questionable
versions of reclaimed truths
My voice. My choice.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday dear reader and this time our genial host is Tabatha Yeatts at The Opposite of Indifference. Tabatha shares a poem by Denise Levertov titled, 'Concurrence.'
Your poem goes very well with the postcard I got from Linda Mitchell today that had this poem by Witter Bynner: "Horses" Words are hoops/Through which to leap upon meanings,/Which are horses' backs,/Bare, moving. Risky business indeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tabatha. I shall have to check out the poem you referenced.
DeleteWow, Alan, there is so much to love in your "Risky Words" poem "I must remain courageous / I must a risk taker be / And write to the edges of thought and idea" and those lines at the end: "I am living life twice / Scribing questionable versions of reclaimed truths" I so, so love that! In fact, I've written it down to think about! Congratulations on your new book. It sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise for your kind remarks. Glad my words resonated with you.
DeleteCongratulations on the book, Alan, and this poem is such a great reminder to all of us that writing is an act of courage. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene. And we need to bring that courage every day...
DeleteAlan!!! I just pre-ordered your "Notebook Notions" book and am so excited!!! Congratulations!!!! I love your poem, especially the lovely "morning mind." What a lovely and inspiring poem to launch the book or a writing session!!!! Loved reading about your passion for notebooks and writing! Your students, including your adult readers, are lucky!!! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this act of faith, Mona, and your kind remarks. I am most appreciative. Happy reading.
DeleteHi Alan, this is Janice. Congrats on this lovely new book, one of many it appears. I was struck y the idea that we live twice when we write. Your poem gave me much to think about.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. I appreciate your supportive remarks. Yes, this is not my first book, but the buzz does not diminish. This one had a quiite long gestation period, so I am particualarly pleased about its eventual publication.
DeleteCongratulations on this new publication, Alan. I wrote with my students for years in our journals, as did all students in our school! I don't do this often anymore, usually keep a document on my laptop, but your work is inspiring me to get back to a journal, loving the time to sketch, too, and make tiny notes for those "Risky Words" you've so lovingly shared. Love the "a head full of loosely connected thoughts" - Truth!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. It pleases me to hear you are contemplating delving back into notebook world, along with some sketching. Go for it!
DeleteI really appreciate this invocation to be brave, to be a risk taker - I know a lot of my students are so anxious and fearful, always asking what they should do or what they're supposed to do, when only by having the courage and confidence to take risks and make mistakes can they ever hope to grow and create.
ReplyDeleteJanice, your comments remind me that the notebook is a safe place to experiment with your words and ideas without the harsh glare of judgment. It's akin to a safe harbour. Mistakes, as you know, provide a chance to learn and grow.
DeleteHi Alan, I especially take note of "And write to the edges of thought and idea"" as I need to pursue that idea more in my works. "Risky Words" is a poem guidepost. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteJan, Thank you for these words. Much appreciated. Glad my words spoke to you.
DeleteAlan, I love how you've published your ideas in this book. Which site would benefit you the most as the author for me to buy from? I would love to support your work as fully as possible. ~ Carol ~ The Apples in My Orchard
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, thank you for this. Your support is greatly appreciated. I guess the greatest beneift for me as the author comes from purchasing with my publisher, Amba Press. For you as the purchaser, the benefit is in the exchange rate. Any reviews on US outlets also help, as you well know. Thanks again, Alan.
DeleteI love the image of writer as one who lives life twice. Sometimes I wish the writer in me could stop observing, but she's stubborn. :)
ReplyDeleteKeep talking to the writer within, Karen. That's where the writing resides. Accept the invitation of the blank page with joyful anticipation.
DeleteI love the idea of a notebook as a place to feast on words!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Marcie. Me too.
Delete"Scribing questionable versions of reclaimed truths/My voice. My choice." -- Thank you for these words...I've been mulling questionable versions of reclaimed truths --trying to reconcile which memories are truth and which are not - and which are my voice and which are someone else's.
ReplyDeleteThe Counting Crow's, Adam Duritz wrote a line 'Memories are films about ghosts.' They are so often soft at the edges and subject to misalignment. The dilemma you raise regarding memories is spot on Patricia. We continue to grapple with this whenever prompted by our respective histories. Thank you for this salient reminder.
DeleteWow, I can relate to this!
ReplyDelete"I sit at my desk some mornings
Confronted by slips of paper
Scribbled lists
And a head full of loosely connected thoughts
Fragments of a dream perhaps
I link them tenuously in my morning mind"
The quiet of the morning is my favorite time to write and let all those bits congeal into some beginning of a poem. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the book.
Cathy, I like the fact you found multiple take-aways. That early morning congealing of ideas is essential pre-writing. Such a great investment in what follows. Thank you for your kind response.
DeleteThis is such a great poem! I especially like this line: "write to the edges of thought and idea". Yes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly. It just begged to lead off the book, so I'm pleased even more if others appreciate it.
DeleteI love the idea of "living life twice!" And how appropriate that your shirt matches the last line!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee. Good pick up on the shirt. My Tee-shirts are a point of constant discussion iwth my wife. I keep creating new ones and my wife keeps asking me to discard an older one each time I do.
DeleteLinking, sorting, remembering: yes! That's the work (and joy) of writing. Congrats on your new book, Alan.
ReplyDeleteAll important actions, Susan. Thanks also for the kind remarks regarding my new book.
DeleteMany Congrats on your new Book Alan! I really like your line, "living life twice," so much packed into those few words, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. You are another creative, living life twice.
Delete