Last week I sat down with a writing friend to study a small piece of literature. We met at a nearby coffee house. Sitting across the table from each other, books open in front of us, surrounded by the high whine of the espresso machine, the peppered staccato of other patrons’ conversations, and the brace of our own thoughts and imaginings on the world of other people’s writing, we read over the first part of a recent Salmon Rushdie novel and talked about what we did, and did not, understand in his work.
Then we wrote.
This is what came out of my pen, and it was so strange and yet oddly fascinating, that I thought it would be fun to share with you.
#
“. . . So she slipped out of history, he took it with him when he left.” – Salmon Rushdie, “Two Years, Eight Months, and Twenty-Eight Nights”
The things he took
the empty mayonnaise jar of receipts
a poem from her porch
the treasure of loneliness
his history dig
chocolate cake (he left her a slice)
the formality of loneliness
the good fortune in a Chinese coin
– that went bad after he carried it away
mercy to others
the parallel life of a transient philosopher
gambling addiction
pharmacy postcards
immaculate linen she saved for her wedding night
olive oil to make pesto
the paralysis of over-analyzed love
attraction to miracles
the safety of warm skin
imaginary ills in a pillowcase
forgotten birthdays
the red-orange of a setting sun
eternal sloth
paranoia, just enough to sour a life
wine she never cared for
his resumé and business cards
the last taste of summer.She slipped out of the way and he left with no dust in his tracks
no unfinished meals
no canceled dentist appointments
no strangled crabgrass
no sparks on the 4th of Julyand when he was gone she swept the floor with his ashes
and put out the garbage for the trash man to pick up
on Monday.
#
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
It’s a little sad in places, sorry! The original work was something of a lament for the character, a female jinn, who is abruptly left by a philosopher-historian when his career is reinstated … I thought about changing what I wrote to make it more cheerful, but I decided to include an explanation instead.
My favorite line might be “a poem from her porch.” Such an interesting image!
Do you ever write down stream-of-consciousness thoughts? Do you use stream-of-consciousness as fuel for your own writing? Thanks for reading!
It seems like you had a fun time studying the piece of literature with your friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam! Yes, she reads material that I don’t usually reach for. You perceived that well! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is she someone you had at the Writing Conference?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! thanks for asking, she would love that you asked the question. She is actually a friend from my M.F.A. program who also writes science fiction. We both write more “literary” SF, as opposed to space adventure or apocalyptic novels. A couple of years ago we launched a monthly reading series here in Seattle that includes 10 open mic reading slots and 2-3 featured readers, hoping to build a community that is open, tolerant, and diverse. We’ve had really wonderful response to our series, called “Two Hour Transport,” and in fact in October, our featured readers will be three well-established (and somewhat famous) female SF writers (Eileen Gunn, Nisi Shawl, and Vonda McIntyre). This is the third time we’ve had the pleasure of hearing their work in our series. But mostly we have ordinary Seattle (or beyond) writers who may or may not be “published,” but whose work we enjoy. 🙂 Thanks for asking! (https://twohourtransport.wordpress.com/)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Teresa, that’s really involved. I’m sure when you meet with think alike folk, you’re more productive. I met with a writers group a while back. One person read his chapter of novel, anther person who was a columnist and read her column for the next day. That was interesting. But the location was too far away for me, so I discontinue going. I’ll bookmark your link and read it later. I’m all packed to go to Portland tomorrow for the arrival of my grandbaby!
LikeLike
Have a safe and wonderful trip, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Teresa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, it’s not that often we can have a meaningful discussion about ideas and ways of saying things in literature, with someone who can help us understand it better – both ways. It’s easy to get caught up in daily life and overlook the opportunity for studying another work. 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment! I can feel the supportive therapist in your thoughts. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I belong to a Lit group. Once, we had the pleasure of meeting the author and asked him any questions. I then bought a copy of his book with his autograph. That was fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In person! Very memorable, I imagine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It happens that he is local. He writes novel part time based on real stories. He did his research, interviews so the events and places are close to real except people’s names.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s wonderful. What a memorable moment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teresa. I’m boarding in a few minutes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like this. The sadness is ok with me, makes it seem more real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! didn’t think about that, Amy! Thanks! I really appreciate your mentioning that you liked it.
I was thinking this morning, I intended “things he took” as in “took with him” (the coin, chocolate cake) OR “took away because of his relationship with her” (mercy to others, attention to miracles). Your comment reminded me of that. I appreciate knowing you liked it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this, nicely done. Yes, I sometimes write stream on consciousness too, and find it really freeing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so interesting, Dawn! We find ourselves editing, editing, editing, while we write, too often, I think. It’s an act of bravery to be willing to write down whatever comes into the brain. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting and good point Theresa. As a matter of fact yes. Journaling is wonderful to jot down those confusing ramblings that go on in our minds and sometimes we even get the answers, lol. It sure does help.
LikeLike
An interesting and touching write Theresa. Reminds me of a popular Hindi song penned by a famous lyricist in India 🙂 A haunting song of a lost love, letters and of things left behind – dreams, hopes, thoughts. Thank you for sharing your process and allowing me to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! Very interesting, Dahlia. Thank you for letting me know your reaction; I was a little worried it would be too sad or mournful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great piece of writing and sharing of your thoughts, Theresa. You are being productive! 🙂 I do think that we should allow our thoughts to come alive on paper.
There is a poetry contest at the moment here in SA sponsored by the biggest funeral homes: eleven best poems, one for each official language in the country, on the theme of, “I wish I’d said…” And, it doesn’t necessary have to be about death. On that same day I came across it, I registered and typed some words on my Word doc. I rearranged them a little but because life was happening, I had to leave it first. I think it has potential and I just need to be in the right frame of mind to get back to it to make is my best. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! I am so glad to hear about your inspiration from this poetry contest. Kudos, my friend! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Theresa. Much love and hugs. ❤🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so beautiful Theresa – even the little bit sad in places. I actually love the opening paragraph of this post too! I felt like I was in the coffee shop with you and your friend by the way you described your meeting!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind message, Tami! I met with my friend Nicole again today. Funny thing was, when we got to writing, we both read what we wrote, each saying, “This isn’t anything, it isn’t very good,” and then we each said (about the other’s work) – “That WAS something, I liked the …” So much easier to see the value in the other person’s work. hah! A good lesson!
LikeLiked by 1 person