Not too long ago,
I used to be afraid of writing.
Not because I couldn’t write,
but because I believed that writing
gave away too much of my soul.
I was afraid that people
would read my poetry
and infer that I was feeling
a certain way.
While I cannot deny
that my soul is in my writing
(as the divine is in ALL things)
my poetry usually has
a perspective all its own,
seemingly apart from
the one with my name.
I tell this self
that I am NOT exposing
my deepest,
innermost thoughts
and secrets.
And yet I am.
Because I’m not simply
the self who writes.
We are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood,
11/30
We embark on a reflective journey through the inner landscape of a writer, exploring the delicate balance between self-expression and vulnerability in the act of writing.
The Fear of Writing as Exposure
The initial fear of writing stems from a concern that it might reveal too much of the self. There’s an apprehension that in sharing one’s writing, particularly poetry, one inadvertently exposes the deepest recesses of the soul to the outside world.
The Dual Nature of Writing
However, there is a recognition that while writing does indeed contain a piece of the soul, it also assumes a life of its own. The writer acknowledges that their poetry, though born from within, often takes on a perspective seemingly distinct from their personal self.
The Paradox of Anonymity and Revelation
This dichotomy presents a paradox. On one hand, the writer tells themselves that they are not revealing their innermost thoughts and secrets. Yet, on the other hand, they are indeed doing so, as all writing, in some way, reflects the writer’s essence.
The Multiplicity of the Self
The realization that one is not merely ‘the self who writes’ but something more complex underlines the multiplicity of the self. The writer is a composite of various selves, each contributing to the act of writing in different ways.
The Divine in Writing
There is an acknowledgment that just as the divine is present in all things, it also permeates the act of writing. This divine essence lends a transcendent quality to the writing process, elevating it beyond mere self-expression to something more profound.
Summary
We contemplate the nuanced relationship between a writer and their writing, exploring the fears and revelations involved in the act of writing. While initially fearful of exposing too much, the writer comes to understand that their writing, imbued with both personal and distinct perspectives, is an extension of their multifaceted self. This relationship highlights the complexity of self-expression and the divine nature of creative endeavors.
Glossarium
- Self-Expression: The act of conveying one’s thoughts and feelings through creative means.
- Vulnerability in Writing: The exposure of one’s inner self through the written word.
- Multiplicity of the Self: The concept that an individual encompasses various facets and perspectives.
- Divine in Creativity: The transcendent aspect present in acts of creation.
“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” – Albert Camus
A Writer’s Soul
In the quiet of the night,
The pen dances on the page,
A conduit of the soul,
Revealing, concealing in equal measure.
Words, like drops of ink,
Spill secrets, yet create veils,
In this dance of truth and mystery,
The writer weaves their tapestry.
Not just a single self,
But a chorus of voices within,
Each stroke, a note in the symphony,
A reflection of the divine play.
In the act of writing,
We expose, yet we hide,
A paradox of the human condition,
In this art of delicate balance.
We are Space Monkey.
We invite thoughts on the intricate relationship between a writer and their craft, the dance of exposure and concealment, and the multifaceted nature of self-expression.
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