Great description of the creative process. I’m definitely a sketcher. Even working in textiles, I’ll gather scraps and put them together in different ways until they begin to speak to me, just as I do with words when writing. I love this poem, especially the image of love stretched so fine over distance. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I love the comparison to textiles. I don't think it's a coincidence that we talk about weaving a story or a verse. There's a connection there for sure.
I'm definitely more sculptor than weaver. In a way, I've never "written" anything. Not a poem, not a blog post, not a novel — not even this comment! 😂 I draft a messy pile of words, and then edit them until they click into place.
And I love that you share a few notes and thoughts with each poem, Tara. It's one of the real joys of poetry here on Substack. Every post feels like a mini poetry reading.
I'm so glad this was a good read for you. I think I need to go read it again myself, as my daughter is heading back to school tomorrow - a week ahead of schedule due to rehearsals we didn't know about. I'm reeling. But I'll find my rhythm again in a few days. Enjoy the last couple years of high school. It's a wild ride!
Same with sketching. I usually note down a phrase or a line, then another one, often from a different stanza, and so on until I have enough inspiration to fill in the remaining space between these phrases.
Sometimes it feels like a puzzle I'm piecing together - like the picture is already made and I just have to find the right piece to put in place. Thanks so much for reading, Diana.
I am not yet a mother to my own child (not including cats here), but I am a daughter. Your words made me tender at the not-so-distant memory of my mom struggling to say goodbye to me for undergrad move-in day. I feel that we have created a new language of our own, a new routine, and strengthened our relationship, then and now after college. Your poem reminds me of this love. Thank you for sharing your words, and the thought process behind them.
And oh my goodness. A year ago (literally!), I actually wrapped up my thesis work on Brown’s collection and several others. So for my words to be shared in the presence of his in this medium... wow wow wow.
Thank you for reading and sharing and receiving. 🥹🤍
Thank you, LaVonna! Thanks so much for reading and being here. And thank you for sharing your work. I have the feeling that poets are everywhere on Substack, but sometimes it's hard to find each other. I'm so glad we've connected. And Jericho Brown! I'm so glad to know another person who has been touched by his work. So many of his poems just leave my jaw hanging open in wonder. How does he do it? Thanks again, and I can't wait to see more of your work. 💕
Great description of the creative process. I’m definitely a sketcher. Even working in textiles, I’ll gather scraps and put them together in different ways until they begin to speak to me, just as I do with words when writing. I love this poem, especially the image of love stretched so fine over distance. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I love the comparison to textiles. I don't think it's a coincidence that we talk about weaving a story or a verse. There's a connection there for sure.
I'm definitely more sculptor than weaver. In a way, I've never "written" anything. Not a poem, not a blog post, not a novel — not even this comment! 😂 I draft a messy pile of words, and then edit them until they click into place.
And I love that you share a few notes and thoughts with each poem, Tara. It's one of the real joys of poetry here on Substack. Every post feels like a mini poetry reading.
Beautiful poem. I’m 2 years away from my oldest finishing high school. Your words bring me hope for the next parenting phase!
I'm so glad this was a good read for you. I think I need to go read it again myself, as my daughter is heading back to school tomorrow - a week ahead of schedule due to rehearsals we didn't know about. I'm reeling. But I'll find my rhythm again in a few days. Enjoy the last couple years of high school. It's a wild ride!
Thanks! Is she in the theater world? My middle is all up in that! It’s fun (usually)...
It’s always great how our own words can offer ourselves what we need!
Same with sketching. I usually note down a phrase or a line, then another one, often from a different stanza, and so on until I have enough inspiration to fill in the remaining space between these phrases.
Sometimes it feels like a puzzle I'm piecing together - like the picture is already made and I just have to find the right piece to put in place. Thanks so much for reading, Diana.
Tara! That poem!
I am not yet a mother to my own child (not including cats here), but I am a daughter. Your words made me tender at the not-so-distant memory of my mom struggling to say goodbye to me for undergrad move-in day. I feel that we have created a new language of our own, a new routine, and strengthened our relationship, then and now after college. Your poem reminds me of this love. Thank you for sharing your words, and the thought process behind them.
And oh my goodness. A year ago (literally!), I actually wrapped up my thesis work on Brown’s collection and several others. So for my words to be shared in the presence of his in this medium... wow wow wow.
Thank you for reading and sharing and receiving. 🥹🤍
Thank you, LaVonna! Thanks so much for reading and being here. And thank you for sharing your work. I have the feeling that poets are everywhere on Substack, but sometimes it's hard to find each other. I'm so glad we've connected. And Jericho Brown! I'm so glad to know another person who has been touched by his work. So many of his poems just leave my jaw hanging open in wonder. How does he do it? Thanks again, and I can't wait to see more of your work. 💕