Writing for myself, with others in mind

[woundedhealer]

Until last week, I hadn't written a poem since January. And as far as real MEANING goes, it was pretty weak - a cute little rhyming diddy to cheer up my girl at the time, sent with the classic box of chocolates and some medicine for her cold. It was fun at the time. Before that, the last poem I wrote was some kind of profession of admiration,

Comments

[luloubelle]

I used to approach my writing in the same way... it was easier to write if I had an audience in mind, even if only one person. Then I read Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, and it changed everything. I have a tendency to write down everything regardless of who might see it... my life is an open book (I have a love/hate relatoinship with cliches). I have to write for myself first, and I think I'm really learning how not to be afraid of who sees it or what they think.

Nudity

[yellawhim]

First I absolutely LOVE your second poem, probably because it works on both the physical and the more metphorical level. But it's also something I can relate to. Some days I look at myself in the mirror, and I am shocked, appalled, and horrified by what I'd call my body dripping off my skeleton. Other days, I feel good and want to crawl into the bed naked and wrap soft sheets around me because my flesh and bones is just another part of a me I basically like.

I love the line about Michelin baby.

What surprises me, honestly, is that Leslie didn't post something in direct response to this idea. She is so incredibly comfortable with her body (she's skinny, maybe that's the difference) that when she moves in with me, I'll have to carry around extra shirts and make her put them on ... like the principal always has a few extra t's for the kids who come dressed "inappropriately."

Re: Nudity

[luloubelle]

As though the idea of nudity is inappropriate? You will learn to become more comfortable with your body. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm "skinny." I'm aneroxic looking and approach the desire to gain weight the same way you approach wanted to lose it. I look in the mirrow and I like what I see, but I also would like to get back up to 140-145 because I don't see myself as especially "healthy" at this weight. For months I've felt like I'm slowly starving to death, and if not for my friends feeding me, would I remember to eat at all?

Yes, I am very comfortable with my nakedness. I also have this weird habit of becoming vulnerable to people by "exposing myself" literally and figuratively. The second poem also reminds me of the one you wrote once, Jen... a poem that included... something something... smooth leg on leg, mine... something about being naked under the covers and devouring the flesh of another... damn, I used to have photocopies of all the poems you'd sent me... wonder if I can find that one.

Re: Nudity

[yellawhim]

woundedhealer, how do you feel about luloubelle and YellaWhim embarking on a discussion of nudity on YOUR journal?

Keep the comments rollin'

[woundedhealer]

I think it's absolutely wonderful! I'm grateful. I'm flattered. I think its neat that one person can use this website as a means to creatively express herself and end up initiating a conversation between friends about such personal issues ... across the country no less. I could go into an entire discussion about body image right now, but that should probably be saved for a journal entry.

Re: Keep the comments rollin'

[yellawhim]

I'm anxiously awaiting what YOU have to say about body image. I'd like to tell luloubelle that I was comfortable with my body when I was 26 too. And then I turned thirty, and then thirty-one, and then .... my body started dripping off my skeleton. I look at it on the floor, think about giving it a good shake and airing out, and then maybe I'd start to like it again.