07/08/2010: "Poetry is Like Housework"

Once, on an artist's webpage, I saw a set of poetry pyjamas, very whimsical and cool. This morning I went looking for them again, but without success. What I found instead was this poem on a site called Kusma Pyjamas.

i am reminding myself that even though there are those who want to convince me that writing is not work, that poetry is not work, that art is not work. and that ‘real work’ ‘meaningful work’ would be me being a better mother or a better wife or a better wage slave—i am reminding myself that poetry and art and music are not just ‘hobbies’ or ‘artistic pursuits’ that you should only engage in once the ‘real work’ is done. but that poetry is not a luxury. poetry is housework. poetry is one of the keys to our survival.

Today my friend Kim is out there somewhere posting her poems on trees, along walking trails, at bus stops, to feed the souls of the people passing by. And I am off to work.

Three morals in this story:

1. There are those who want to convince us that poetry is not work.
2. We have been debating the nature of reality for thousands of years, but it is still an open question.
3. Today someone is scattering poems like breadcrumbs along the floor of the Dundas Valley.

Yours with creativity and imagination,
Darlene

Replies: 2 Comments

on Saturday, July 10th, thegoddessofallthingsunseen said

I know you have been excessivly diverted as have I. Glad you are back and I am still planting.Will be going to TO tomorrow for dinner at my son's gals mothers and we three are going to see Steve Winwood open for Santana and I will be taking poems as well. Dinner in my garden next Sat. night at 6;00

on Saturday, July 10th, thegoddessofallthingsunseen said

I know you have been excessivly diverted as have I. Glad you are back and I am still planting.Will be going to TO tomorrow for dinner at my son's gals mothers and we three are going to see Steve Winwood open for Santana and I will be taking poems as well. Dinner in my garden next Sat. night at 6;00