I began well this morning. An hour later than scheduled, but I began well. I read a little more of The Colossus, wrote my journal, did a few domestic tasks then called my mum all before 9am.
Coffee, banana and I’m ready to get stuck in to redrafting and incredibly stubborn poem. It’s one that’s come from a poem I thought merely needed a few tweaks – but no. This tricksy little fellow is a whole new piece. It’s one that brings such strong visuals I consider it will be easy to write. Not so. The visuals are hard to nail down and describe without resorting to cliche or becoming too oblique. I know it’s going to be good once it’s done – it's a poem I can't stop thinking about – but it’s going to take a whole lot of work. I redrafted, recorded, redrafted again and felt properly dramatic about the whole thing .Time to take a break.
I battle through what appears to be November, bring the bins back round and check the seeds in the tiny greenhouse. There are seed leaves on the tomatoes (yay!) , I’m going to have a million chilli plants and plenty of Canterbury Bells. None of the seeds collected from my Dad’s Cosmos plants have germinated which makes me sad. I’ll continue to hope, and try to trick myself that some of my others are somehow related.
Back in to take another look at the poem. It has potential. I just need to get a clear view of where it needs to be – I’ve too many metaphors I think which make me wonder if I’m mixing two poems. Time to stop.
I move on to this year’s NaPoWriMo – I rarely do these each day but I find it a gentle way to rediscover the simple pleasure of writing - something that I need after my somewhat wrestly morning. I finish by editing a poem about an omelette and wonder about how to film my next poetry film.
Reading that back it sounds like a pretty creative morning.
I have to abandon the rest of the day - brain fog looms large and I know pushing on will reduce my capacity later in the week. Last task is dematting the cat, a task that neither of us relish but is decidedly less frustrating than trying to write a poem that's still hiding behind the curtain.
Look forward to seeing you all on Friday!
Until next time
Kathryn
Xx