Meeting Expectations

January 8, 2015 — #ROW80, art, challenge, poetry, Poetry Center

cocktail that wants to be a poem

People walk through the doors of your expectations.  This has been my belief for most of my life, and has proven to be a valid one.  I have high standards, but notice how I am much more likely to apply them to others than to myself.  I do set goals and make commitments, but not usually in a public way.  This is why the #ROW80 challenge is perfect for me.  I have set myself an expectation of working more creatively and do a daily bit to achieve that goal.  I want to practice being more poetic in all aspects of life, so the drawing, photography and poetry are intended to build on themselves .  I expect to become more observant in all aspects of my habitual life. There are already a few good results:

• I have kept my dream diary daily, concentrating on the words I associate with my dreams
• My daily drawing practice (digitally assisted) is enjoyable. I warm up for the day by making visual art
• I have written short poems to go with the art, inspired by the experience of creating it
• My attention has expanded to include all kinds of subjects for poetry that I had not considered

The addition of the art has made this exercise natural and easy for me. I have written poetry before, and even looked for art to use as inspiration.  Making the art myself  is a new and interesting way to tie my attention to a written project.  Usually I write the prose, then add the visuals.  Starting with color and form is a good way for me to see action and hue within the emotional tone I want to set.  I have not attempted to draw anything realistic.   My best work is not representational, but based on geometry and color.  I am not afraid to try, and am considering going to the botanical garden and trying to do a depiction of the cactus section.  Words to go with the cactus poem have been rattling around in my brain as a think about the idea.  Although I do publish my work, the purpose of this venture outside my normal writing style is completely personal.  I am not seeking adulation or followers.  I am curious to see if my writing practice can expand and include more comedy, enlightenment, and beauty.   So far, so good!! Now, for the poetry of others:

• I adore Dorothy Parker, and would love to emulate her style of poetry
• The U of A Poetry Center is holding a reading tomorrow night, and I may attend
• I discovered I like reading the Kindle on the exercise bike, so I plan to collect poets to read while I ride
• I will shop Amazon to discover the work of poets I do not know, and make a stop at the library

In general the poetic life is off to a fine start here.  I have also started a food preparation calendar, which I think of as an extension of poetic thinking. I want my home life, my cuisine, and my fitness regime to reflect creativity and artful planning.   The food preparation trip is actually a very good foundation because it concentrates kitchen time and frees me to wander off into the world of visual art and poetry.  I have had some funny thoughts about food and drink poems I want to write.  I think a cocktail series could be pretty funny.  Asking “What would Dorothy Parker say?” is a fabulous prompt I am using. In my heart of hearts I want the ROW80 to turn me into a glib, sophisticated observer of the details of living.  I don’t think that is too much to expect in 80 days.

cornbread that wants to be a poem