Monday, February 7, 2011

Writing's Appeal (repost)

This is a poem I wrote in July of 2009. I'd been feeling particularly sedentary, and am sure this made me feel a little better, like it justified my stillness a bit. I wanted to revisit it today, because so many of us are dealing with crummy winter weather and that silly cabin fever.

Here, then, is writing's appeal:

He writes to create.
She to storytell.
It's the call of the craft,
it's a love of the skill.

But I'll tell you a secret,
if you'll lean in real close:
I've got one reason
and I like it the most.

Should I be honest?
I suppose I can say:
See, when writing,
being lazy's okay.

You just sit at your desk;
it's the easiest work.
No exercise/exertion.
No way to get hurt.

What? Yeah, you're right,
but side effects are small.
A crick in the neck
or Carpal Tunnel, is all.

I can think of worse things.
I'll give you examples.
Like, would you spot check
those dentures of Grampa's?

Work outside in the yard
on sore, bended knee,
wearing shorts (and underwear
prone to wedgie)?

Bathe the fridge.
Oh, cripes, what is that?
I'll just close the door,
hide the mold in the back.

I could dust the shelves,
ABC all the books.
Make sure all my rugs
have been vacuumed and shook.

But none of that's fun.
Don't you agree?
I'd much rather sit, lazy,
and be writerly.

13 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

Me too on the being writerly! (And chef-ish. Always makes me feel productive to get in the kitchen when the words refuse to be minced, sauteed or simmered.) :)

Terri Tiffany said...

I agree toooooooo! My favorite thing to do:)

Sage Ravenwood said...

You make the life of writer seem so glamorous. *Looks around at mess* at least on the page. (Hugs)Indigo

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Bahahaha!

Jessie Oliveros said...

Ha! That's great. I don't envy you that midwest winter. I just moved to Texas, and I like to tell my KC family members that Sunday was 70 degrees here! Stay warm (and lazy) tomorrow. I hear it's going to be especially cold.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

HA!!!
Laziness sounds so noble!
Not really lazy, your MIND is very productive!
It's cold here, a refreshing 10 degrees.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

hehe, yep, I can relate to that! I'm creating worlds with my writing and new life in my fridge. And this makes me happy. :)

Tana said...

Oh my gosh I LOVE this! And it's true for me as well! You're a great poet! I really enjoyed that.

Lydia Kang said...

That was fun! Yeah, I agree...it's not physically taxing and I love that. It caters to my inner laziness.

Spy Scribbler said...

I love it! If I had a desk, I'd pin your poem over it!

Unknown said...

I love that you reposted this!!! I was able to enjoy it today!!! Janna you are too cool!! This is the cutest poem!!! Sort of makes me wanna write my own!!!

Anonymous said...

Teehee. A writer's rights to laziness. Love it!

kah said...

So cute. And so true. The wedgie part made giggle and adjust how I was sitting. ;)