Happy Poetry Friday! I'm back with another guest post in our series about patience, persistence, and perseverance. Zeena started the series with a look at how these traits apply to children. Now that spring has finally arrived in Wisconsin, I’m spending as much time as I can outside. Today’s post is an amalgamation of observations from walking and gardening, along with some thoughts about writing.
When I think of persistence, I remember my mother saying, "Try, try again."
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chomping and building beavers establish their world tree by tree by tree |
Writers build worlds and revise manuscripts one page at a time. Those pages add up! I've found over the years that I feel better when I write at least a little something every day. I miss it when I don't.
I think of perseverance as persistence against an obstacle. Tenacity is required. Success includes a sense of triumph.
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stuck in a tough spot between maybe and no way maple branches out |
Finishing a polished draft requires perseverance. For me, teamwork is often involved. The obstacles to publishing are more easily overcome with trusted writing companions at my side, providing support and feedback.
Patience might be required while waiting for sprouts—or new ideas— to appear.
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plant a seed and wait water but don't look too soon magic is sprouting |
Over the years, I've learned that the best way to wait is to keep myself occupied with another project. In my last post, I mentioned that Grow evolved over many years. Each time I put it aside or waited for feedback, I tried to find or start another manuscript to work on.
The best techniques are the ones that work for you. Good luck!
Irene Latham has today's Poetry Friday Roundup at Live Your Poem. Enjoy!
JoAnn
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11 comments:
I will keep your post for inspiration, JoAnn! I have taken a picture of a small plant in the alley by the bookstore. Every year, it keeps returning! I love each part of this, especially "maple branches out"! Have a lovely weekend OUT and IN!
"Water but don't look too soon"
Words to live by!
xoxo
I think you must have met my grandfather at some point...he referred to the 3 Ps a lot. His were patience, persistence, and prayer. I just didn't understand why he would repeat them to me so many times! lol. I love the truth of your post and the memories it brings me of my Grandpa.
I try to keep hold of the three P's but they are often stuck between the maybe and the no way. (love this!)
"tree by tree by tree"
Thanks for all the wisdom and the little nuggets of observation.
Patience is my greatest challenge in life and there's no way but to do something else while you wait. I also love " between maybe and no way."
Thanks, everyone! Of course, these are the wise words I keep telling myself--I hope someday they will sink in. In the meantime, I plan to uproot that little tree and plant it someplace where it can grow.
JoAnn
Perseverance is a most valuable lesson for a writer and patience. Your haiku are lovely. The last especially as it addresses the need to be patient because: "magic is sprouting."
Thanks for helping me grow, Joann, and so poetically!
Your Fan Esther who has so loved having you back on the blog again!
I love every one of these poems, as well as your observations about the writing life. Just like those seeds, I find that when I turn my focus elsewhere, giving a project a rest, some magic happens in my subconscious and I come back to it with fresh eyes and I see new possibilities for what it can become.
Great post, JA! I love all these haiku, but these lines really resonate for me:
stuck in a tough spot
between maybe and no way
JoAnn ~ I second what Esther said... It's such a treat to have you join us when you can. As always, your leap from visual observations to metaphors about life so often lights my brain up in new, inspiring ways.
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