Sometimes my problem with an
online presence
is that I can't
anonymously
say what I want. I can't
rant and rave and
scream and yell and
cry and whine
about the happenings in my world.
I have to step back.
I have to look at my words
professionally,
ethically,
humanly.
I have to test them.
Feel them
Live them
Before I send them
Out into the world.
And sometimes,
That isn't enough.
Even now
Some will think
These words are about them.
But they're not.
They're about me,
They may be your words...but I can certainly relate to them ..I too want to rant and rave..sometimes ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy friend Sara Holbrook tells a story about a poem she drafted one night. The story goes that her daughter discovered the poem in the open journal on the breakfast table. Outraged Sara's daughter accused her of writing about her. It was at that moment that Sara says she realized she'd written an actual poem, a poem that could speak to others--the poem, like your piece today, was about her, not her daughter. When we connect with our words--not in a rant or a complain necessarily--we are doing some strong writing. Write on!
ReplyDeleteGreat poem about your words. I like your phrase: "I have to test them, feel them, live them before sending them out to the world" . Something we need to do before we speak or write. Thanks for sharing your words!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read your blog, I get the feeling that you have indeed "tested and felt" your words before publishing them. Love reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteYour words speak volumes.
ReplyDeleteI admire your professional outlook Deb. My mantra seems to be that when I feel like you must have been feeling, I think of the monsters in Where The Wild Things Are, who "roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws." And that's what I want to do, but don't, but I want to. Glad you wrote some of it!
ReplyDeleteooh, your poem captures these feelings perfectly! This is why notebooks are still important. You can do the raving there! I love the last line -- indeed, our words are really about us, no matter who or what the subject is!
ReplyDeleteYou write truth. Even when you are holding back your openly honest rants. Those last two lines are such a powerful statement--YOU own your truth.
ReplyDeleteYour words spoke to many, even if they were about you. The taming of storms inside is similar both in real and online presence. We try to keep the cool even when boiling. Of course the spoken words will vanish in thin air while online writing can be captured and retrieved.
ReplyDeleteTest them, yes...but feel them. I think we get into trouble when we feel we can't. But...you know that already, Deb!
ReplyDelete