The Writing Life
by Elouise
One by one
Words spill out
One drop
At a time….
Or torrents
Of unexpected
Clarity
The beginning and the end
Of a fear-filled Heart
Mind Soul and Body
Delivered from silence
Word upon word falling
Onto the page and
Into the air
Free speech –
Visible and available
Against all odds
At great cost
I used to think writing about my life would be the end of fear. If not immediately, then over time as life moved on and I became ready and willing to write the next chapters.
I also thought I would learn to write freely, with ease and grace. Without angst or internal drama trying to redirect what wants to be direct. Without fear of consequences or kickback.
After all, there’s always this tempting possibility: Just change that small word. Or better yet, omit it. They’ll never know, and you’ll still be ‘telling the truth.’
And protecting myself from what?
There are a million ways to cover over truth—including how difficult it is to write truthfully, especially about myself. Some days content flows easily onto the page. I wake up knowing the first line or theme. Or I review yesterday evening’s journal entry and discover I’ve already pointed in a clear direction. No problem! Just pick up the pen and scribble away.
And then there are other days. Hence the poem above.
Happy Wednesday and Happy Writing!
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 13 March 2019
Impressionist Painting of a Woman Writing, 1892, found at therumpus.net
Telling the Truth 
I only like the truth in writing Elouise, even in works of fiction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an interesting comment, Brian. How do you determine the truth in works of fiction? Just wondering….
LikeLike
When I read a work of fiction, say of Steinbeck or Jane Austen authors of that calibre; where their story can move me to tears, or laughter. Then it rings true to me.
Then if I read some Vince Flynn shock horror story I take it all with a grain of salt, ) a bit likee my codswallop) and forget about it.
That makes sense to me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Agreed. 😊😻
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I also thought I would learn to write freely, with ease and grace.” Well, I don’t know about ease, but certainly your blog is written with grace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Waldo! What a kind comment. I would love to wake up some morning and discover writing is a picnic in the park. Sometimes it is. Most of the time it isn’t. It’s rewarding (after hard thinking and experimenting) to find a phrase, words or images that get to the point without meandering all over the place. Time is running out! Yikes! 🙂
LikeLike