We Women Who Write Poetry Are
{Originally published in Ordinary Art}
“Taking us by and large, we’re a queer lot
We women who write poetry. And when you think
How few of us there’ve been, it’s queerer still.
I wonder what it is that makes us do it.
Singles us out to scribble down, man-wise,
The fragments of ourselves.”
Amy Lowell
And so I’ve learned, across phone lines with background static, and small children sucking on their mother’s breast, while we jiggle laundry and lovers, balance belief with lack of self-esteem, that we are a queer lot, we women who aspire to the poetic word.
We sit in our pajamas silently penning Pulitzers while the world races by outside our doorstep, unaware. How many of you, how much of me, has been steeped in loneliness? Fear that it isn’t enough, could not possibly matter to anyone but ourselves.
And then there is a voice on the other end of the line, bringing with it the recognition that we are more than the echo in a silent room of fingers tapping impatient keys. We are more than longing. We are more than ache.
We are a queer lot, we women who write poetry.
Each call taken, every word felt.
I have learned, we can be a resolution for each other, a reclaiming of our best selves.
Editor’s pick by Heather at L’Chaim. These words resonate with me–we artists grab bits and pieces between ordinary life. Or is it that ordinary life is infused with our bits and pieces of art? As the title of the blog suggests, Ordinary Art is about the interplay between ordinary life and the art we create. Sometimes that means it’s about everyday things. Other times that means it’s about something transcendent. But who can tell the difference between the ordinary and the transcendent? You can subscribe to the blog here.
I’m honored to be here. This post is special to me. I wrote it as a thank you to a group of women bloggers who I started reading and then contacting for a writing project I’m working on. I felt so alone, even in blogland, and I reached out to these virtual strangers. They revived my faith in blogging, in writing, and in myself. Thank you for publising this.
conversemommas last blog post..Denouncement
And I’m so thankful you found me!
Woman in a windows last blog post..I BELIEVE IN MAGIC, OLD FOLKS, BABIES, CHILDREN, MOM AND DAD
I’m so proud to be a part of your queer lot, m’darlin’.
maggie, dammits last blog post..Would you read your kid’s diary?
We love you
Sublime…
xo
sweetsalty kates last blog post..minato’s window
oh, what a beautiful post…such true words. Lately I feel like the dark, sediment-full dregs at the bottom of a tea cup…steeped in loneliness, indeed. thank you for these words, and thank you for knocking on my little blog door to invite me out with you.
kellys last blog post..Forced frugality
I remember the day you contacted me by email. And ur subsequent talk on the phone.
Part of me still thinks what? me? huh?
It was a Wait. What!? Moment that first email. I did not trust that it was me you wanted, but a mistake of some kind a cruel joke maybe and like everyone else, I am changed because of it.
Cats last blog post..The light on my path
This is beautiful. And I am blushing that I am, me, included among your queer lot. Like some of the others have said, Thank you for inviting me along.
emilys last blog post..Perspective
It just resonates and speaks to me so clearly!
xxoo
and you are my friend! i’m so proud.