Oh i really liked this poem and what an insight into your previous working life. I am a long way off retirement but i do often wish I had the time to step away.
I wonder if “real” is contextual. The traditional jobs many of us hold are real in that they fulfill the need for reliable income. The creative work fulfills the real need for expression and art.
Love the compassion you gave those mice, and that you’ve landed, at last, in the real work that sustains your spirit.
I'm so grateful that my Different Way kept coming to find me, all the years I was immersed in what was "real." Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Rebecca!
I always look forward to Wednesday and reading another poem by you. This is delightful. I love the images and the mice and the peppermint. I too have struggled with that work/writing balance. It's taken almost twenty years of freelancing for me to finally organize my work in a way that I make time for writing. I was so scared to say no--what if I didn't have enough paid work to support myself? I also had to raise my rates high enough to live on. Well, that's another story. Artists and writers used to have patrons, but I supposed that might have a few downsides too.
I hope you tell the details of that story sometime, LeeAnn -- I'll bet it would inspire and encourage a lot of folks. SO glad you are writing, and so grateful to you for being a reader here.
*** Thinking a lot right now about the concept of Universal Basic Income. That probably has its own downsides, but the ups look better to me than patronage. 🤔
Oh Elizabeth, what a picture you've painted with your poem, talking about your job without talking about your job...and then your reflections at the end about our 'real work;' you nailed it.
In this, my 7th decade, I'm discovering as well where my passions and gifts lie. Grateful for employment along the way (as an elementary teacher) but the writing has always been there below the surface.
You've posed a provocative rhetorical question--why are the everyday arts like painting and writing and music so often unpaid luxuries, for lack of a better word? Hmmmm... probably no answer to that question that we like :-) and yet the creativity continues to abound.
Greetings and delight from the French countryside, where mice, flies and other creatures abound! I am trying vinegar for the flies! Will try peppermint for other creatures! Big smiles!
I love this poem, Elizabeth, and your compassion for the mice ! So good to hear more about your life too, and how the desire to write and create poetry was always within you.
What a wonderful back-office moment, the whiff of peppermint and the unseen mice…and I so so understand the way you describe your place in the environment. I had to laugh at the “series” note.
so peaceful
I'm glad you found it so, Gala.
Oh i really liked this poem and what an insight into your previous working life. I am a long way off retirement but i do often wish I had the time to step away.
Wishing you the time and quiet and whatever else you need to keep your own poems coming, David.
Oh your words was over-the-top-humorous!
If only the “real” mice could have taken a whiff and skedadled on their merry way!
They never got the hint...! 💛🐁💛
another fantastic poem from you :) love reading the story behind/around it as well!
💛🌿
I wonder if “real” is contextual. The traditional jobs many of us hold are real in that they fulfill the need for reliable income. The creative work fulfills the real need for expression and art.
Love the compassion you gave those mice, and that you’ve landed, at last, in the real work that sustains your spirit.
Thank you, Elizabeth. And of course you're right; "real" means different things in different contexts.
A lot of fun to take a peek back into your work life. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, Weston!
I felt much the same as you describe in my host of "real jobs." We were made for a Different Way.
I'm so grateful that my Different Way kept coming to find me, all the years I was immersed in what was "real." Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Rebecca!
There is a humorous touch in all of this as I see it. The language comes across as unique. I gave it a good read.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading the poem, Luis, and I'm glad you noticed the humorous touch.
You make so much sense. It is sad that so many of us realise too late and some not at all.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. We'll keep on realising and "unlearning," won't we, a day at a time.
You are very welcome. Yes, indeed is my answer to your rhetorical question.
Take care. Stay safe. ☮️
I loved this one you shared in April! Glad to see it anew!
That April "flash group" of poets and poems was such a gift! 💛🌿
I always look forward to Wednesday and reading another poem by you. This is delightful. I love the images and the mice and the peppermint. I too have struggled with that work/writing balance. It's taken almost twenty years of freelancing for me to finally organize my work in a way that I make time for writing. I was so scared to say no--what if I didn't have enough paid work to support myself? I also had to raise my rates high enough to live on. Well, that's another story. Artists and writers used to have patrons, but I supposed that might have a few downsides too.
I hope you tell the details of that story sometime, LeeAnn -- I'll bet it would inspire and encourage a lot of folks. SO glad you are writing, and so grateful to you for being a reader here.
*** Thinking a lot right now about the concept of Universal Basic Income. That probably has its own downsides, but the ups look better to me than patronage. 🤔
That is a much better idea. They are trying it out in some cities in California and it really helps people. It gives them a ground to stand on.
And I would love to hear the details of the story sometime.
Oh Elizabeth, what a picture you've painted with your poem, talking about your job without talking about your job...and then your reflections at the end about our 'real work;' you nailed it.
In this, my 7th decade, I'm discovering as well where my passions and gifts lie. Grateful for employment along the way (as an elementary teacher) but the writing has always been there below the surface.
You've posed a provocative rhetorical question--why are the everyday arts like painting and writing and music so often unpaid luxuries, for lack of a better word? Hmmmm... probably no answer to that question that we like :-) and yet the creativity continues to abound.
So grateful to have found yours.
💛🌿
Greetings and delight from the French countryside, where mice, flies and other creatures abound! I am trying vinegar for the flies! Will try peppermint for other creatures! Big smiles!
Salut, ma chere! I hope you're enjoying your adventure!
I love this one. "Indifferent hospitality" is actually such tender compassion.
They were just trying to make a living, same as me ...! Thank you, Margaret Ann.
I love this poem, Elizabeth, and your compassion for the mice ! So good to hear more about your life too, and how the desire to write and create poetry was always within you.
Thanks so much, Maureen. 💛🌿
What a wonderful back-office moment, the whiff of peppermint and the unseen mice…and I so so understand the way you describe your place in the environment. I had to laugh at the “series” note.
Well, at the job just before that one I only lasted five months, so ... ! 😂 So glad you enjoyed the poem, Amy.