About this blog
With thanks to Dave, Jean, Leslee and others for all the questions and discussions. And thanks to all of you for your feedback and support. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
I don't listen to country music much, not generally my cup of tea. But there's one old song by Marvin Rainwater that wormed its way into my heart years ago — old music, what some call "rough country" — called Gonna Find Me A Bluebird. My heart hain't been broken, but I do have a dream to do with writing. Besides, a Mountain Bluebird is a gorgeous thing, a jewel on wings, and I'm always on the lookout for one of those.
This blog is a little experiment to do with that dream. It's a daily writing practice. The poems I post here are new and I don't look back. That's hard for me, but I'm doing it to shake loose some self-imposed constrictions. Writing this way compromises quality, but accomplishes other things that are more important to me right now.
I have not always written this prolifically. Heck, I haven't always written. I spent years paralyzed by an internal critic. I spent years avoiding many things that make me feel alive, trying to pretend I was someone else. Call me a late bloomer. I finally realized I might as well spend what remains of my lifetime, alive. Might just see if I can shake a feather.
Blogging my writing is a means to make myself accountable for getting it done, and to share a bit with others thereby making it a less lonesome activity. My modest hope is a few can enjoy the little packages I put on my doorstep, and I can learn to write better — and, if I'm lucky, find me a bluebird.
Updated 1/11/06.
I don't listen to country music much, not generally my cup of tea. But there's one old song by Marvin Rainwater that wormed its way into my heart years ago — old music, what some call "rough country" — called Gonna Find Me A Bluebird. My heart hain't been broken, but I do have a dream to do with writing. Besides, a Mountain Bluebird is a gorgeous thing, a jewel on wings, and I'm always on the lookout for one of those.
This blog is a little experiment to do with that dream. It's a daily writing practice. The poems I post here are new and I don't look back. That's hard for me, but I'm doing it to shake loose some self-imposed constrictions. Writing this way compromises quality, but accomplishes other things that are more important to me right now.
I have not always written this prolifically. Heck, I haven't always written. I spent years paralyzed by an internal critic. I spent years avoiding many things that make me feel alive, trying to pretend I was someone else. Call me a late bloomer. I finally realized I might as well spend what remains of my lifetime, alive. Might just see if I can shake a feather.
Blogging my writing is a means to make myself accountable for getting it done, and to share a bit with others thereby making it a less lonesome activity. My modest hope is a few can enjoy the little packages I put on my doorstep, and I can learn to write better — and, if I'm lucky, find me a bluebird.
Updated 1/11/06.
posted by MB at 8:42 AM
13 Comments:
Thank you, Moose. I love this. "The poems I post here are new and I don't look back" To hell with that internal critic. Let him/her take a back seat for a while. :-)
You have put into words half formed ideas I have had in my head as to why I am blogging, though I have more thinking (and blogging) to do on the subject. It isn't primarily about who reads it what I write, and the comments, though these are important. For me it is about courage as well, to dare to say things without necessarily tailoring them to what I think the reader/s will approve of. And with the best will in the world it's hard not to do that sometimes.
Like you, I am a late bloomer, and yes it is about choosing to be alive. And maybe blogging will help unblock other areas of my life where I am often tempted to be less than alive? Who knows?
I know your bluebird is out there for you, and it maybe closer than you think.
Good for you! I can relate, being a late bloomer myself. Like your blog, i'll be back.
Moose- (I love that pseudonym) You've articulated what I'm feeling about blogging, finding myself through its imposed freedom, and I, too write under an assumed name partly to free myself. I'm just discovering the freedom of fictional prose and poetry. I can see myself more clearly through the lens of writing through another's eyes.
These are darn good reasons. Give it your all - that's the way to do it. (And let's hear it for late bloomers!)
I saw your comment on Dave's blog about your reasons for being an anonymous blogger. But until then, I never noticed you were anonymous because I feel like I've gotten to know someone named "moose" through your work. Sometimes it's a deeper truer knowing than the kind we get through names or other forms of identity.
Here, here for late bloomer in search of bluebirds!
I'm so glad you decided on this experiment, which is a huge gift to your already growing band of readers. I hope it proves nurturing to your talent and your dream.
Good to be sharing this part of the trail with you. Here, I think I have some M&Ms, want some?
Yes, Moose, bravo (brava?). I am very excited for you -- and for us! Your writing's terrific. I'm so glad you decided to just sit down and do it. Here's to much, much more. :)
Cheers!
(P. S. -- I think the bluebird is you.)
Moose,
I am curious about your not looking back. It almost seems as if you're using the poems to rid yourself of something, but they are treasures. Or are you simply referring to revisions and I'm being over-analytical:)
Oh, thank you all.
Mary, thank you for your companionship, your kind words, for just being here with me.
rdl, thanks for stopping to comment and let me know that you can relate.
Garnet, I've been enjoying your explorations on your blog. Thanks for bringing your warm presence here.
Dave, thanks for stopping by and offering words of encouragement.
Patry, I never thought it was a big deal really. A name is a name is a name, after all. But this post came from questions, as well as the discussion, that I felt deserved some sort of answer. I appreciate your supportive presence so much, as well as the opportunity to read your work.
Jean, thank you for your kind words. Your encouragement is lovely. I am honored that you read my poems.
Zhoenw, thanks. I'd take a few. Trying to lose a few pounds, you know, but I love the plain ones. Bless you.
Sara, your enthusiasm and energy is infectious! I'm very happy to have shared so much with you. Thank you in so many ways.
TL Reynolds, thank you for thinking of them as treasures! I just meant revisions. What I'm trying to rid myself of is the obsessive and restricting internal critic that doesn't want to let go.
I finally realized I might as well spend what remains of my lifetime, alive.
Funny how it seems to take some of us so long to figure that one out! I agree with Dave: let's hear it for late bloomers.
Thanks for the clarification...I completely understand. I once revised a poem so many times I wound up with only two words after all the editing:)
They are like little beings, though. Some imperfections can be endearing.
Leslee, I don't know why it took me so long. But I'm glad I finally am unlocking. It feels better.
TL Reynolds, you are absolutely right about imperfections. They can indeed be endearing. And since there is nothing under this glorious sun that is perfect... Still, it's hard for me to not want to tinker and adjust endlessly.
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