I’m looking out my dreary office window on an overcast, somewhat rainy sky. The trees have a grayish cast instead of the bright green they shine when the sun is out. Even the red of fire trucks passing by looks oxidized and rusted. I’m faced with the dilemma of wanting to write – a definitely frowned upon activity during business hours, and needing to prepare for afternoon meetings – not a frowned upon activity. It is hard to smile today and my face feels as veiled and dark as the sky.
What to do when Spring Fever hits at the end of November? I don’t know. Makes me realize how smart the school system is to give winter breaks – the thought of two weeks to stay up late writing, then sleep until the lack of caffeine kicks me in the head…oh that is a very attractive proposition right now.
But this was my choice. I actually don’t know that I ever had a choice. I never considered academia and all I can say is thousands of young adults should be grateful that I didn’t. I can’t even get my one son to do his homework, how on Earth would I be able to inspire a class?
So I have a written-in-longhand poem lounging on my desk at home, a curiosity about the difference between essays and blogs going on in my head and two processes to write for the afternoon. I have no jacket. On the bright side I should be grateful that my job allows me to afford a cashmere scarf to keep my neck warm. I should stop (internally) whining and do my afternoon homework.
Note to self: I do not like indents unless they are crucial to a poem. I do not like numbering sections unless a poem is obviously written in parts. But processes do not lend themselves to stanza breaks and I am captive to their requirements for the moment. Thankfully I am a “one-page” writer, both for business and poetry. It is rare for any of my writings to go longer than that. Who has the time or desire to turn a page in this age of “scrolling down”?
So if you’re somewhere warm, God bless you. If you’re on vacation, have a glass of wine for me. If you are home writing I am envious. If you are out doing holiday shopping I am not. And now lunch is over and its back to my daytime life. Bye for now.
Tobi Cogswell is a three-time Pushcart Nominee, a Best of the Net Nominee and Co-editor of San Pedro River Review (www.sprreview.com). But none of that matters right now because lunch is over and its back to work for her.