Poems for Mindful Writers: # 8 & # 9
Poem # 8
Simply Write
Simply write!
Do not speak of writing.
Do not speak of publishing.
Do not speak of other people’s writing.
Sit still in silence and solitude.
When body, heart and mind are one,
When your senses have moved inward,
Let the stream flow.
Unravel your knots in spontaneous words.
Other writer’s success or failure does not affect you.
Profit or loss does not touch you.
Praise or criticism does not ruffle you.
Derive pleasure solely from writing.
Experience the bliss.
And simply write!
Poem # 2
Door of Opportunity
A careless critique from a fellow writer?
Return her’s with honest comments.
“Here” she hands you the draft. “I have pointed out your weaknesses.”
Show her where her strengths lay.
She grabs the opportunity that was rightfully yours,
Congratulate her on her success.
By critiquing honestly,
By learning from your own strengths and skills,
By preparing through tough circumstances,
Attain the strength no one else can.
When you are ready inward.
The door of opportunity opens only for you.
Dr.Indira Kapoor.M.D.
I found both poem nos. 8 and 9 very interesting (not the American way of interesting!!) but in the “new thoughts” way. The way we use the word in a positive sense.
At the same time no.9 seems to contradict no.8. If you simply write for your pleasure, then why bother or care about someone’s “careless critique”?
Or may be I have got it all wrong!!
Madhu B. Wangu
Dear Dr. Kapoor,
Thanks for your thought-provoking question! What you got is absolutely right!
When I posted the two poems I should have mentioned that poems # 8 & # 9 belong to a set of five poems. They are meant for all levels of writers. The first one is for novice writers and the last one for the professional. A beginning writer must focus on writing and nothing else. When a work is completed it is ready to be seen by others–more experienced, professional writers or editors. The work needs to be revised several times if the writer wants to climb the ladder of skill and progress.
The third poem in the set is about emanation of the vital energy during the writing process, and the fourth about yoking of the writer’s personal consciousness to collective consciousness. The fifth shows similarity between writing and reading experiences.
Hope this answers your question.
Dr.Indira Kapoor.M.D.
Thanks Madhu for helping me out in understanding the flow of the events in the poems.
Yes, you have answersed my question.
I suppose one has to read all the five poems in that order.
It was a joy talking to you yesterday.
Indira.