Writing on Wednesday: Poetry for Writers

Today I’m going to share a couple of inspirational poems by a talented poet from Little Rock, Arkansas—Mary N. Waters. I discovered Waters’ books of poetry at a little shop in the Heights neighborhood of Little Rock a few years ago and find myself returning to them over and over. Many are spiritual. Some are humorous. Most inspire something in me. These two—both from Other Stars Waiting (2002)—are  for my writing buddies and reprinted here with permission from the author. Enjoy.

 

Voyeur

 

I am reading a book

of someone else’s poetry,

thinking the “I can do this,”

thoughts,

followed immediately by

all of the “buts”

of not having enough

time, talent, passion,

and the “what ifs”

of people hating it,

laughing at it,

thinking me crazy.

Buts and What Ifs,

my twin conspirators,

which, for so long

have kept me a voyeur

of others’ writings,

not my own.

 

Accommodation

 

When I first began to write,

I thought that nothing much

would change;

one more activity,

added to my days.

I would accommodate it;

the writing,

give it

the extra bedroom.

But I was wrong.

This was my lover,

wearing muddy boots

upon the neatly

polished floor, and sleeping

where he pleased.

So all those other things

began to change, to

give him space;

and since he didn’t fit

the me I was,

I chose to be

transformed,

in ways I can not name.

And here I am,

a writer of poetry,

and those who thought

they knew me,

wonder,

and sometimes,

so do I.

 

Other books by Mary N. Waters:

 

Into the Universe

Private Rooms

Sandpaper Blankets

Thoughts From a Vast Right-Brained Conspiracy