Recently I have come to the realization that more often than not
I have most often held two jobs. One is the job of doing whatever I have
either had to do (i.e., parenting) or a 'job job' for a meal ticket.
The other job I have is simply paying attention to whatever it is that
surrounds the life of the other job. In other words - or with words and
sometimes photographs - I am collecting information from within the other
job while, at the same time, simultaneously doing the work of making up a
story (narrative, play, fiction) or simply letting the words rumble around
and make up their own story or poem.
It's like having two eyes - one does the 'job job' while the other (the
poet) is imaginatively reflecting off the entire circumstance. Frequently my
employers have gotten very pissed off at me because "I am not there" as much
as I try to do both jobs well. I suspect I am not alone amongst us writers
with that experience. If not, I suspect you are not doing both jobs!
Recently I asked my 89 year old mother whether or not she thought her sons
had done well. She responded, "I have been disappointed. No one has
accomplished as much as they could to the extent that it was possible."
Now I guess that's a prime example of 'tough unconditional love!"
I am, of course, putting quote that into a poem! But more than that, I am
thinking it's a good time to start reading her some of my poems to give her
a sense, accomplished or not, of what I was doing all these years while
working on this 'non-quotidian' job of poetry.
Stephen V
Blog: http://stephenvincent.durationpress.com
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