I’ve been averaging a dozen articles a month on the Medium platform this year; sixteen when the muse is generous. More than that is impossible for me. Many times, I edit a couple of those published pieces and post them on this website. In addition to that, I try to maintain a healthy dose of novel writing and critiquing at my most favorite writing community, where the company is extraordinary.
In essence, my days consist of lots of words. With all that, you’d think that I have words at-the-ready every hour of the day, right? Wrong! Sometimes I blank out. Sparkles — gone!
The month of November was one such month — yes, the entire month, I tell you! I barely had eight — yes, ocho articles published on Medium. And in my writing community, I was practically absent. *sigh* It happens.
As you can imagine, I wrote about losing some of the sparkles and did what I could to encourage my fellow writers everywhere. The following poem is one I pluck from the season. See what you think. I hope you realize that a phenomenon like TOT is normal for everyone.
A Sunny Mind Will Sometimes Turn Brown Too
I told my lips to say your name
but instead, they turned to my old brain
my brain recoiled, mulled over your tag
assured me that retrieval was imminent
but there it sat for a day and a half
kept me from attending to my true tasks
appalled and ashamed for the rust up there
my upper lip curled back, impatient
I clapped my hands to the side of my head
the words, all dried mid-sentence
the day grew short, found me mumbling like a fool
for forgetting something so basic
’twas when my brain began to laugh
that I turned to the leaves that murmured
with eyes alit, and a smile that grew strong
my lips excitedly whispered
“November,” they said, “it’s Monday in November!”
promptly my soul started singing
about green leaves that turn brown in fall
and seasons that have gone before it.
I dedicate this poem to you, reader, and to all my wordsmith friends who might have, at one time or the other, experienced that tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. Don’t sweat the small stuff, my lovelies, as this too is a normal state for people of all ages.
Additionally, since this particular end of the year deserves more, allow me to guide you to a great Toni Morrison quote I love and which Goodreads offers in its entirety. But when I dug deeper, I found a whole article with a back story from Toni Morrison herself. It makes the quote even more relevant.
In 2015 for its 150th Anniversary Edition, The Nation featured that immensely profound article by Toni Morrison. Perhaps you read it. But if you didn’t, I’d like you to. The online magazine offers the archived article as a PDF.
So, if you happen to be feeling drained, disillusioned, sparkle-less, or words seem to escape you lately, please take a few minutes to sparkle up.
…
An aside: An invitation to revisit an old post that’s still relevant and dear to me. Blessed be the season: Pay It Forward.
Photo Credits: Image by Briam Cute from Pixabay
THANKS FOR READING
Happy Holidays
I Wish You Miracles.
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