Mark – I read your words with gratitude. Also what you say reminds me of what I often do with writing classes and workshops, especially with younger and/or beginning writers. When I was operating a sheep ranch in Montana years ago I was sixty miles from the nearest Vet. so I had to do most of my own “doctoring” of the animals. At first my main challenge was to get the ewes penned and then try to catch the one(s)that needed a vaccination,etc. It was really frustrating as the sheep seemed to know exactly what I was up to. It soon dawned on me that I had to develop a “sneaky” strategy…so I started looking at the ewe I did NOT want, gradually getting closer to the one I really wanted without looking at her. When I was within reach I grabbed the UNSUSPECTING ewe…the “sneaky” strategy worked…I stared at the unwanted ewe and got the one I saw out of the corner of my eye. I often work this way with my own poetry. I find that it takes some alertness and often provides surprise.
Just a thought inspired by your thoughts. You are a great poet, thanks for your work. Michael Poage (www.michaelpoage.com)
Inspired by blog from poet Mark Doty