Back to the Drawing Board

It’s been a while since I posted here on Lit Bits and Pieces.

I’ve often written around the idea of “Why I Write” but hardly ever on why I don’t write.

Reasons are not so mysterious. There’s really only one: Life.

When I would write:

A dog that is sleeping suddenly wants to go out
A preoccupied husband suddenly wants to converse
A fascinating TV series needs watching (with said husband, of course)
A lesson needs teaching, meaning I need to study
A burning question needs researching, which in turn spawns countless other questions
A book calls to be read, hummingbirds call to be fed, and precious granddaughters call to sleep over, loving to stay up and not go to bed

And I grow tired.

Not to mention that I am always, always, always writing in my mind, so much so that I can be in another place entirely, needing to force myself back to the present moment and physical surroundings (who says time travel isn’t real?).

Today, however, I dipped back into the poetry-crafting community over at Ethical ELA for the monthly Open Write. The prompt is too perfect: Getting “back” to something.

It’s a great day to get back in the flow.

So here I go.

Back to the Drawing Board

Time colors
my hair silver
my eyes dimmer
my bones thinner
my veins larger

my challenges greater.

It would color
my spirit

but my spirit
is timeless.

It still sings, my spirit;
still stretches its wings

for ever how old
I am

I remain 
a canvas
for God to do
new things.

Pencil and eraser on paper. Shawn Campbell. CC BY 2.0

with thanks to Kim and Glenda over at Ethical ELA for hosting today’s Open Write and to the insightful friend who sent an encouraging text this week re: God doing new things.


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One thought on “Back to the Drawing Board”

  1. Fran, a lovely post here today! Life does call to us so much of the time, especially as we write. It’s such a great feeling to be needed in so many ways! I have never heard anyone else say this thing I do too: I am always, always, always writing in my mind, so much so that I can be in another place entirely…. Can I just say it? Me too! So much that sometimes my actual finger is moving in cursive on my leg spelling words and I secretly wonder if someone will think I have aged out to the point of the circling finger. Lordy, I love what you write and the cross connections. I was a little grief-stricken over losing my Fitz, and I haven’t told you yet, but I got a new miniature schnauzer. And he is what is calling to me now while I try to read and write. Take care and I hope all is well!

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